❓ Mr. McGinty questions the success of the hospital waiting list reduction program, particularly regarding orthopaedic surgery and future funding. The Minister acknowledges increased demand and outlines hospital admission figures, attributing issues to private health insurance dropout, ageing population, and medical advancements.
AnsweredQoN 353Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICEQuestions Without Notice HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICEQuestions Without Notice HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction
HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction
Reduction
(1) Can the Minister advise the House of the success or otherwise of the Government’s hospital waiting list reduction program? (2) In particular, can the Minister explain why the waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery have blown out? (3) As the budget estimates make no provision for continuing the annual $15m allocation for the hospital waiting list reduction program beyond the coming financial year, can we expect even longer waiting times for elective surgery in our public hospitals? Mr PRINCE
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICEQuestions Without Notice HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction
HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction
Reduction
(1) Can the Minister advise the House of the success or otherwise of the Government’s hospital waiting list reduction program? (2) In particular, can the Minister explain why the waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery have blown out? (3) As the budget estimates make no provision for continuing the annual $15m allocation for the hospital waiting list reduction program beyond the coming financial year, can we expect even longer waiting times for elective surgery in our public hospitals? Mr PRINCE
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) The continued demand pressure on public hospitals has not diminished; if anything, it has increased, and that increase has been between four and five per cent in the past three years. That has occurred largely as a result of the dropout rate from private health insurance, the ageing population and developments in medical technology that result in an increasing ability to deliver services. In general terms, they are the drivers of the system. I have some figures to hand in respect of the number of cases admitted to Western Australian public hospitals, as follows: In teaching hospitals the waiting list had 179 101 patients in 1994-95, 191 238 in 1995-96 and 103 745 to 31 December 1996; in non-teaching hospitals the figure went from 57 398 in 1994-95 to 58 398 in 1995-96 and for the half year to 31 December 1966, 25 729 - so that will be about the same over a full year or perhaps a little less. The figures for country hospitals are: 1994-95, 100 333; 1995-96, 102 646; and for the period to 31 December 1996, 48 004, again approximately the same. The number of listed cases remains much the same or has increased. The waiting list strategy money is being used to reduce the waiting lists, particularly in certain hospitals. I know Fremantle Hospital has a particular problem, which is largely due to theatres being rebuilt. The member asked a question along these lines in the Estimates Committee, and was told that the very long waiting time for orthopaedic surgery is expected to be reduced when the rebuilding work is complete in July. I do not have any more up to date figures, but I will provide them. This is a two-year strategy and it will be looked at when it has run for at least one year. It would not be proper or sensible to commit to it further without an evaluation of what it has achieved. Some of that strategy money has been spent on improving facilities, not simply on doctors dealing with more cases. In that sense, where one improves facilities so that more can be dealt with, one must allow some time to elapse to gauge whether it has had the desired effect. ROADS - SCHOOL ZONES Installation 354. Mr MARSHALL to the Minister representing the Minister for Transport: On paper, the new 40 kilometre an hour school zoning appears to be an excellent and innovative program. Is the trial proving successful and what is the proportion of metropolitan to country schools that have been allocated this zoning? Mr Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Mr OMODEI replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Transport has supplied the following response: The installation of school zones commenced in January this year as part of a three-year $8m school safety enhancement program. A detailed program for installations has been developed with the assistance of local government and approximately 330 primary schools have been included in the 1997 program. Installations will continue in 1998 and 1999, with signs being erected at the remainder of the primary schools and then the high schools. The configuration of the roads adjacent to schools varies and it is important from the road users’ view that they be treated consistently. Therefore, each site must be assessed on an individual basis, which means it is not possible to effect all school zones immediately. A full post-implementation evaluation of school zones will be conducted, involving both surveys and statistical analysis. This is expected to be completed in 12 months. There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(2) In particular, can the Minister explain why the waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery have blown out? (3) As the budget estimates make no provision for continuing the annual $15m allocation for the hospital waiting list reduction program beyond the coming financial year, can we expect even longer waiting times for elective surgery in our public hospitals? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) The continued demand pressure on public hospitals has not diminished; if anything, it has increased, and that increase has been between four and five per cent in the past three years. That has occurred largely as a result of the dropout rate from private health insurance, the ageing population and developments in medical technology that result in an increasing ability to deliver services. In general terms, they are the drivers of the system. I have some figures to hand in respect of the number of cases admitted to Western Australian public hospitals, as follows: In teaching hospitals the waiting list had 179 101 patients in 1994-95, 191 238 in 1995-96 and 103 745 to 31 December 1996; in non-teaching hospitals the figure went from 57 398 in 1994-95 to 58 398 in 1995-96 and for the half year to 31 December 1966, 25 729 - so that will be about the same over a full year or perhaps a little less. The figures for country hospitals are: 1994-95, 100 333; 1995-96, 102 646; and for the period to 31 December 1996, 48 004, again approximately the same. The number of listed cases remains much the same or has increased. The waiting list strategy money is being used to reduce the waiting lists, particularly in certain hospitals. I know Fremantle Hospital has a particular problem, which is largely due to theatres being rebuilt. The member asked a question along these lines in the Estimates Committee, and was told that the very long waiting time for orthopaedic surgery is expected to be reduced when the rebuilding work is complete in July. I do not have any more up to date figures, but I will provide them. This is a two-year strategy and it will be looked at when it has run for at least one year. It would not be proper or sensible to commit to it further without an evaluation of what it has achieved. Some of that strategy money has been spent on improving facilities, not simply on doctors dealing with more cases. In that sense, where one improves facilities so that more can be dealt with, one must allow some time to elapse to gauge whether it has had the desired effect. ROADS - SCHOOL ZONES Installation 354. Mr MARSHALL to the Minister representing the Minister for Transport: On paper, the new 40 kilometre an hour school zoning appears to be an excellent and innovative program. Is the trial proving successful and what is the proportion of metropolitan to country schools that have been allocated this zoning? Mr Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Mr OMODEI replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Transport has supplied the following response: The installation of school zones commenced in January this year as part of a three-year $8m school safety enhancement program. A detailed program for installations has been developed with the assistance of local government and approximately 330 primary schools have been included in the 1997 program. Installations will continue in 1998 and 1999, with signs being erected at the remainder of the primary schools and then the high schools. The configuration of the roads adjacent to schools varies and it is important from the road users’ view that they be treated consistently. Therefore, each site must be assessed on an individual basis, which means it is not possible to effect all school zones immediately. A full post-implementation evaluation of school zones will be conducted, involving both surveys and statistical analysis. This is expected to be completed in 12 months. There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(3) As the budget estimates make no provision for continuing the annual $15m allocation for the hospital waiting list reduction program beyond the coming financial year, can we expect even longer waiting times for elective surgery in our public hospitals? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) The continued demand pressure on public hospitals has not diminished; if anything, it has increased, and that increase has been between four and five per cent in the past three years. That has occurred largely as a result of the dropout rate from private health insurance, the ageing population and developments in medical technology that result in an increasing ability to deliver services. In general terms, they are the drivers of the system. I have some figures to hand in respect of the number of cases admitted to Western Australian public hospitals, as follows: In teaching hospitals the waiting list had 179 101 patients in 1994-95, 191 238 in 1995-96 and 103 745 to 31 December 1996; in non-teaching hospitals the figure went from 57 398 in 1994-95 to 58 398 in 1995-96 and for the half year to 31 December 1966, 25 729 - so that will be about the same over a full year or perhaps a little less. The figures for country hospitals are: 1994-95, 100 333; 1995-96, 102 646; and for the period to 31 December 1996, 48 004, again approximately the same. The number of listed cases remains much the same or has increased. The waiting list strategy money is being used to reduce the waiting lists, particularly in certain hospitals. I know Fremantle Hospital has a particular problem, which is largely due to theatres being rebuilt. The member asked a question along these lines in the Estimates Committee, and was told that the very long waiting time for orthopaedic surgery is expected to be reduced when the rebuilding work is complete in July. I do not have any more up to date figures, but I will provide them. This is a two-year strategy and it will be looked at when it has run for at least one year. It would not be proper or sensible to commit to it further without an evaluation of what it has achieved. Some of that strategy money has been spent on improving facilities, not simply on doctors dealing with more cases. In that sense, where one improves facilities so that more can be dealt with, one must allow some time to elapse to gauge whether it has had the desired effect. ROADS - SCHOOL ZONES Installation 354. Mr MARSHALL to the Minister representing the Minister for Transport: On paper, the new 40 kilometre an hour school zoning appears to be an excellent and innovative program. Is the trial proving successful and what is the proportion of metropolitan to country schools that have been allocated this zoning? Mr Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Mr OMODEI replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Transport has supplied the following response: The installation of school zones commenced in January this year as part of a three-year $8m school safety enhancement program. A detailed program for installations has been developed with the assistance of local government and approximately 330 primary schools have been included in the 1997 program. Installations will continue in 1998 and 1999, with signs being erected at the remainder of the primary schools and then the high schools. The configuration of the roads adjacent to schools varies and it is important from the road users’ view that they be treated consistently. Therefore, each site must be assessed on an individual basis, which means it is not possible to effect all school zones immediately. A full post-implementation evaluation of school zones will be conducted, involving both surveys and statistical analysis. This is expected to be completed in 12 months. There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) The continued demand pressure on public hospitals has not diminished; if anything, it has increased, and that increase has been between four and five per cent in the past three years. That has occurred largely as a result of the dropout rate from private health insurance, the ageing population and developments in medical technology that result in an increasing ability to deliver services. In general terms, they are the drivers of the system. I have some figures to hand in respect of the number of cases admitted to Western Australian public hospitals, as follows: In teaching hospitals the waiting list had 179 101 patients in 1994-95, 191 238 in 1995-96 and 103 745 to 31 December 1996; in non-teaching hospitals the figure went from 57 398 in 1994-95 to 58 398 in 1995-96 and for the half year to 31 December 1966, 25 729 - so that will be about the same over a full year or perhaps a little less. The figures for country hospitals are: 1994-95, 100 333; 1995-96, 102 646; and for the period to 31 December 1996, 48 004, again approximately the same. The number of listed cases remains much the same or has increased. The waiting list strategy money is being used to reduce the waiting lists, particularly in certain hospitals. I know Fremantle Hospital has a particular problem, which is largely due to theatres being rebuilt. The member asked a question along these lines in the Estimates Committee, and was told that the very long waiting time for orthopaedic surgery is expected to be reduced when the rebuilding work is complete in July. I do not have any more up to date figures, but I will provide them. This is a two-year strategy and it will be looked at when it has run for at least one year. It would not be proper or sensible to commit to it further without an evaluation of what it has achieved. Some of that strategy money has been spent on improving facilities, not simply on doctors dealing with more cases. In that sense, where one improves facilities so that more can be dealt with, one must allow some time to elapse to gauge whether it has had the desired effect. ROADS - SCHOOL ZONES Installation 354. Mr MARSHALL to the Minister representing the Minister for Transport: On paper, the new 40 kilometre an hour school zoning appears to be an excellent and innovative program. Is the trial proving successful and what is the proportion of metropolitan to country schools that have been allocated this zoning? Mr Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Mr OMODEI replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Transport has supplied the following response: The installation of school zones commenced in January this year as part of a three-year $8m school safety enhancement program. A detailed program for installations has been developed with the assistance of local government and approximately 330 primary schools have been included in the 1997 program. Installations will continue in 1998 and 1999, with signs being erected at the remainder of the primary schools and then the high schools. The configuration of the roads adjacent to schools varies and it is important from the road users’ view that they be treated consistently. Therefore, each site must be assessed on an individual basis, which means it is not possible to effect all school zones immediately. A full post-implementation evaluation of school zones will be conducted, involving both surveys and statistical analysis. This is expected to be completed in 12 months. There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(1)-(3) The continued demand pressure on public hospitals has not diminished; if anything, it has increased, and that increase has been between four and five per cent in the past three years. That has occurred largely as a result of the dropout rate from private health insurance, the ageing population and developments in medical technology that result in an increasing ability to deliver services. In general terms, they are the drivers of the system. I have some figures to hand in respect of the number of cases admitted to Western Australian public hospitals, as follows: In teaching hospitals the waiting list had 179 101 patients in 1994-95, 191 238 in 1995-96 and 103 745 to 31 December 1996; in non-teaching hospitals the figure went from 57 398 in 1994-95 to 58 398 in 1995-96 and for the half year to 31 December 1966, 25 729 - so that will be about the same over a full year or perhaps a little less. The figures for country hospitals are: 1994-95, 100 333; 1995-96, 102 646; and for the period to 31 December 1996, 48 004, again approximately the same. The number of listed cases remains much the same or has increased. The waiting list strategy money is being used to reduce the waiting lists, particularly in certain hospitals. I know Fremantle Hospital has a particular problem, which is largely due to theatres being rebuilt. The member asked a question along these lines in the Estimates Committee, and was told that the very long waiting time for orthopaedic surgery is expected to be reduced when the rebuilding work is complete in July. I do not have any more up to date figures, but I will provide them. This is a two-year strategy and it will be looked at when it has run for at least one year. It would not be proper or sensible to commit to it further without an evaluation of what it has achieved. Some of that strategy money has been spent on improving facilities, not simply on doctors dealing with more cases. In that sense, where one improves facilities so that more can be dealt with, one must allow some time to elapse to gauge whether it has had the desired effect. ROADS - SCHOOL ZONES Installation 354. Mr MARSHALL to the Minister representing the Minister for Transport: On paper, the new 40 kilometre an hour school zoning appears to be an excellent and innovative program. Is the trial proving successful and what is the proportion of metropolitan to country schools that have been allocated this zoning? Mr Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Mr OMODEI replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Transport has supplied the following response: The installation of school zones commenced in January this year as part of a three-year $8m school safety enhancement program. A detailed program for installations has been developed with the assistance of local government and approximately 330 primary schools have been included in the 1997 program. Installations will continue in 1998 and 1999, with signs being erected at the remainder of the primary schools and then the high schools. The configuration of the roads adjacent to schools varies and it is important from the road users’ view that they be treated consistently. Therefore, each site must be assessed on an individual basis, which means it is not possible to effect all school zones immediately. A full post-implementation evaluation of school zones will be conducted, involving both surveys and statistical analysis. This is expected to be completed in 12 months. There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
The number of listed cases remains much the same or has increased. The waiting list strategy money is being used to reduce the waiting lists, particularly in certain hospitals. I know Fremantle Hospital has a particular problem, which is largely due to theatres being rebuilt. The member asked a question along these lines in the Estimates Committee, and was told that the very long waiting time for orthopaedic surgery is expected to be reduced when the rebuilding work is complete in July. I do not have any more up to date figures, but I will provide them. This is a two-year strategy and it will be looked at when it has run for at least one year. It would not be proper or sensible to commit to it further without an evaluation of what it has achieved. Some of that strategy money has been spent on improving facilities, not simply on doctors dealing with more cases. In that sense, where one improves facilities so that more can be dealt with, one must allow some time to elapse to gauge whether it has had the desired effect.
I do not have any more up to date figures, but I will provide them. This is a two-year strategy and it will be looked at when it has run for at least one year. It would not be proper or sensible to commit to it further without an evaluation of what it has achieved. Some of that strategy money has been spent on improving facilities, not simply on doctors dealing with more cases. In that sense, where one improves facilities so that more can be dealt with, one must allow some time to elapse to gauge whether it has had the desired effect.
Installation
On paper, the new 40 kilometre an hour school zoning appears to be an excellent and innovative program. Is the trial proving successful and what is the proportion of metropolitan to country schools that have been allocated this zoning? Mr Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Mr OMODEI replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Transport has supplied the following response: The installation of school zones commenced in January this year as part of a three-year $8m school safety enhancement program. A detailed program for installations has been developed with the assistance of local government and approximately 330 primary schools have been included in the 1997 program. Installations will continue in 1998 and 1999, with signs being erected at the remainder of the primary schools and then the high schools. The configuration of the roads adjacent to schools varies and it is important from the road users’ view that they be treated consistently. Therefore, each site must be assessed on an individual basis, which means it is not possible to effect all school zones immediately. A full post-implementation evaluation of school zones will be conducted, involving both surveys and statistical analysis. This is expected to be completed in 12 months. There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Mr OMODEI replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Transport has supplied the following response: The installation of school zones commenced in January this year as part of a three-year $8m school safety enhancement program. A detailed program for installations has been developed with the assistance of local government and approximately 330 primary schools have been included in the 1997 program. Installations will continue in 1998 and 1999, with signs being erected at the remainder of the primary schools and then the high schools. The configuration of the roads adjacent to schools varies and it is important from the road users’ view that they be treated consistently. Therefore, each site must be assessed on an individual basis, which means it is not possible to effect all school zones immediately. A full post-implementation evaluation of school zones will be conducted, involving both surveys and statistical analysis. This is expected to be completed in 12 months. There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
The SPEAKER: Order! Mr OMODEI replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Transport has supplied the following response: The installation of school zones commenced in January this year as part of a three-year $8m school safety enhancement program. A detailed program for installations has been developed with the assistance of local government and approximately 330 primary schools have been included in the 1997 program. Installations will continue in 1998 and 1999, with signs being erected at the remainder of the primary schools and then the high schools. The configuration of the roads adjacent to schools varies and it is important from the road users’ view that they be treated consistently. Therefore, each site must be assessed on an individual basis, which means it is not possible to effect all school zones immediately. A full post-implementation evaluation of school zones will be conducted, involving both surveys and statistical analysis. This is expected to be completed in 12 months. There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr OMODEI replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Transport has supplied the following response: The installation of school zones commenced in January this year as part of a three-year $8m school safety enhancement program. A detailed program for installations has been developed with the assistance of local government and approximately 330 primary schools have been included in the 1997 program. Installations will continue in 1998 and 1999, with signs being erected at the remainder of the primary schools and then the high schools. The configuration of the roads adjacent to schools varies and it is important from the road users’ view that they be treated consistently. Therefore, each site must be assessed on an individual basis, which means it is not possible to effect all school zones immediately. A full post-implementation evaluation of school zones will be conducted, involving both surveys and statistical analysis. This is expected to be completed in 12 months. There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Transport has supplied the following response: The installation of school zones commenced in January this year as part of a three-year $8m school safety enhancement program. A detailed program for installations has been developed with the assistance of local government and approximately 330 primary schools have been included in the 1997 program. Installations will continue in 1998 and 1999, with signs being erected at the remainder of the primary schools and then the high schools. The configuration of the roads adjacent to schools varies and it is important from the road users’ view that they be treated consistently. Therefore, each site must be assessed on an individual basis, which means it is not possible to effect all school zones immediately. A full post-implementation evaluation of school zones will be conducted, involving both surveys and statistical analysis. This is expected to be completed in 12 months. There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
The configuration of the roads adjacent to schools varies and it is important from the road users’ view that they be treated consistently. Therefore, each site must be assessed on an individual basis, which means it is not possible to effect all school zones immediately. A full post-implementation evaluation of school zones will be conducted, involving both surveys and statistical analysis. This is expected to be completed in 12 months. There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Waiting List
(1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Reduction
How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Workers - Support
The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Southern River Electorate
The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Enforcement
(1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Dialysis Machines
Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Removal from their Family - Compensation
I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Extension of Time
I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Swan Hills
A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Advice
I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Interest Rates
(1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Security Patrols
(1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(2) In particular, can the Minister explain why the waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery have blown out? (3) As the budget estimates make no provision for continuing the annual $15m allocation for the hospital waiting list reduction program beyond the coming financial year, can we expect even longer waiting times for elective surgery in our public hospitals? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) The continued demand pressure on public hospitals has not diminished; if anything, it has increased, and that increase has been between four and five per cent in the past three years. That has occurred largely as a result of the dropout rate from private health insurance, the ageing population and developments in medical technology that result in an increasing ability to deliver services. In general terms, they are the drivers of the system. I have some figures to hand in respect of the number of cases admitted to Western Australian public hospitals, as follows: In teaching hospitals the waiting list had 179 101 patients in 1994-95, 191 238 in 1995-96 and 103 745 to 31 December 1996; in non-teaching hospitals the figure went from 57 398 in 1994-95 to 58 398 in 1995-96 and for the half year to 31 December 1966, 25 729 - so that will be about the same over a full year or perhaps a little less. The figures for country hospitals are: 1994-95, 100 333; 1995-96, 102 646; and for the period to 31 December 1996, 48 004, again approximately the same. The number of listed cases remains much the same or has increased. The waiting list strategy money is being used to reduce the waiting lists, particularly in certain hospitals. I know Fremantle Hospital has a particular problem, which is largely due to theatres being rebuilt. The member asked a question along these lines in the Estimates Committee, and was told that the very long waiting time for orthopaedic surgery is expected to be reduced when the rebuilding work is complete in July. I do not have any more up to date figures, but I will provide them. This is a two-year strategy and it will be looked at when it has run for at least one year. It would not be proper or sensible to commit to it further without an evaluation of what it has achieved. Some of that strategy money has been spent on improving facilities, not simply on doctors dealing with more cases. In that sense, where one improves facilities so that more can be dealt with, one must allow some time to elapse to gauge whether it has had the desired effect. ROADS - SCHOOL ZONES Installation 354. Mr MARSHALL to the Minister representing the Minister for Transport: On paper, the new 40 kilometre an hour school zoning appears to be an excellent and innovative program. Is the trial proving successful and what is the proportion of metropolitan to country schools that have been allocated this zoning? Mr Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Mr OMODEI replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Transport has supplied the following response: The installation of school zones commenced in January this year as part of a three-year $8m school safety enhancement program. A detailed program for installations has been developed with the assistance of local government and approximately 330 primary schools have been included in the 1997 program. Installations will continue in 1998 and 1999, with signs being erected at the remainder of the primary schools and then the high schools. The configuration of the roads adjacent to schools varies and it is important from the road users’ view that they be treated consistently. Therefore, each site must be assessed on an individual basis, which means it is not possible to effect all school zones immediately. A full post-implementation evaluation of school zones will be conducted, involving both surveys and statistical analysis. This is expected to be completed in 12 months. There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(3) As the budget estimates make no provision for continuing the annual $15m allocation for the hospital waiting list reduction program beyond the coming financial year, can we expect even longer waiting times for elective surgery in our public hospitals? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) The continued demand pressure on public hospitals has not diminished; if anything, it has increased, and that increase has been between four and five per cent in the past three years. That has occurred largely as a result of the dropout rate from private health insurance, the ageing population and developments in medical technology that result in an increasing ability to deliver services. In general terms, they are the drivers of the system. I have some figures to hand in respect of the number of cases admitted to Western Australian public hospitals, as follows: In teaching hospitals the waiting list had 179 101 patients in 1994-95, 191 238 in 1995-96 and 103 745 to 31 December 1996; in non-teaching hospitals the figure went from 57 398 in 1994-95 to 58 398 in 1995-96 and for the half year to 31 December 1966, 25 729 - so that will be about the same over a full year or perhaps a little less. The figures for country hospitals are: 1994-95, 100 333; 1995-96, 102 646; and for the period to 31 December 1996, 48 004, again approximately the same. The number of listed cases remains much the same or has increased. The waiting list strategy money is being used to reduce the waiting lists, particularly in certain hospitals. I know Fremantle Hospital has a particular problem, which is largely due to theatres being rebuilt. The member asked a question along these lines in the Estimates Committee, and was told that the very long waiting time for orthopaedic surgery is expected to be reduced when the rebuilding work is complete in July. I do not have any more up to date figures, but I will provide them. This is a two-year strategy and it will be looked at when it has run for at least one year. It would not be proper or sensible to commit to it further without an evaluation of what it has achieved. Some of that strategy money has been spent on improving facilities, not simply on doctors dealing with more cases. In that sense, where one improves facilities so that more can be dealt with, one must allow some time to elapse to gauge whether it has had the desired effect. ROADS - SCHOOL ZONES Installation 354. Mr MARSHALL to the Minister representing the Minister for Transport: On paper, the new 40 kilometre an hour school zoning appears to be an excellent and innovative program. Is the trial proving successful and what is the proportion of metropolitan to country schools that have been allocated this zoning? Mr Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Mr OMODEI replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Transport has supplied the following response: The installation of school zones commenced in January this year as part of a three-year $8m school safety enhancement program. A detailed program for installations has been developed with the assistance of local government and approximately 330 primary schools have been included in the 1997 program. Installations will continue in 1998 and 1999, with signs being erected at the remainder of the primary schools and then the high schools. The configuration of the roads adjacent to schools varies and it is important from the road users’ view that they be treated consistently. Therefore, each site must be assessed on an individual basis, which means it is not possible to effect all school zones immediately. A full post-implementation evaluation of school zones will be conducted, involving both surveys and statistical analysis. This is expected to be completed in 12 months. There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) The continued demand pressure on public hospitals has not diminished; if anything, it has increased, and that increase has been between four and five per cent in the past three years. That has occurred largely as a result of the dropout rate from private health insurance, the ageing population and developments in medical technology that result in an increasing ability to deliver services. In general terms, they are the drivers of the system. I have some figures to hand in respect of the number of cases admitted to Western Australian public hospitals, as follows: In teaching hospitals the waiting list had 179 101 patients in 1994-95, 191 238 in 1995-96 and 103 745 to 31 December 1996; in non-teaching hospitals the figure went from 57 398 in 1994-95 to 58 398 in 1995-96 and for the half year to 31 December 1966, 25 729 - so that will be about the same over a full year or perhaps a little less. The figures for country hospitals are: 1994-95, 100 333; 1995-96, 102 646; and for the period to 31 December 1996, 48 004, again approximately the same. The number of listed cases remains much the same or has increased. The waiting list strategy money is being used to reduce the waiting lists, particularly in certain hospitals. I know Fremantle Hospital has a particular problem, which is largely due to theatres being rebuilt. The member asked a question along these lines in the Estimates Committee, and was told that the very long waiting time for orthopaedic surgery is expected to be reduced when the rebuilding work is complete in July. I do not have any more up to date figures, but I will provide them. This is a two-year strategy and it will be looked at when it has run for at least one year. It would not be proper or sensible to commit to it further without an evaluation of what it has achieved. Some of that strategy money has been spent on improving facilities, not simply on doctors dealing with more cases. In that sense, where one improves facilities so that more can be dealt with, one must allow some time to elapse to gauge whether it has had the desired effect. ROADS - SCHOOL ZONES Installation 354. Mr MARSHALL to the Minister representing the Minister for Transport: On paper, the new 40 kilometre an hour school zoning appears to be an excellent and innovative program. Is the trial proving successful and what is the proportion of metropolitan to country schools that have been allocated this zoning? Mr Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Mr OMODEI replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Transport has supplied the following response: The installation of school zones commenced in January this year as part of a three-year $8m school safety enhancement program. A detailed program for installations has been developed with the assistance of local government and approximately 330 primary schools have been included in the 1997 program. Installations will continue in 1998 and 1999, with signs being erected at the remainder of the primary schools and then the high schools. The configuration of the roads adjacent to schools varies and it is important from the road users’ view that they be treated consistently. Therefore, each site must be assessed on an individual basis, which means it is not possible to effect all school zones immediately. A full post-implementation evaluation of school zones will be conducted, involving both surveys and statistical analysis. This is expected to be completed in 12 months. There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(1)-(3) The continued demand pressure on public hospitals has not diminished; if anything, it has increased, and that increase has been between four and five per cent in the past three years. That has occurred largely as a result of the dropout rate from private health insurance, the ageing population and developments in medical technology that result in an increasing ability to deliver services. In general terms, they are the drivers of the system. I have some figures to hand in respect of the number of cases admitted to Western Australian public hospitals, as follows: In teaching hospitals the waiting list had 179 101 patients in 1994-95, 191 238 in 1995-96 and 103 745 to 31 December 1996; in non-teaching hospitals the figure went from 57 398 in 1994-95 to 58 398 in 1995-96 and for the half year to 31 December 1966, 25 729 - so that will be about the same over a full year or perhaps a little less. The figures for country hospitals are: 1994-95, 100 333; 1995-96, 102 646; and for the period to 31 December 1996, 48 004, again approximately the same. The number of listed cases remains much the same or has increased. The waiting list strategy money is being used to reduce the waiting lists, particularly in certain hospitals. I know Fremantle Hospital has a particular problem, which is largely due to theatres being rebuilt. The member asked a question along these lines in the Estimates Committee, and was told that the very long waiting time for orthopaedic surgery is expected to be reduced when the rebuilding work is complete in July. I do not have any more up to date figures, but I will provide them. This is a two-year strategy and it will be looked at when it has run for at least one year. It would not be proper or sensible to commit to it further without an evaluation of what it has achieved. Some of that strategy money has been spent on improving facilities, not simply on doctors dealing with more cases. In that sense, where one improves facilities so that more can be dealt with, one must allow some time to elapse to gauge whether it has had the desired effect. ROADS - SCHOOL ZONES Installation 354. Mr MARSHALL to the Minister representing the Minister for Transport: On paper, the new 40 kilometre an hour school zoning appears to be an excellent and innovative program. Is the trial proving successful and what is the proportion of metropolitan to country schools that have been allocated this zoning? Mr Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Mr OMODEI replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Transport has supplied the following response: The installation of school zones commenced in January this year as part of a three-year $8m school safety enhancement program. A detailed program for installations has been developed with the assistance of local government and approximately 330 primary schools have been included in the 1997 program. Installations will continue in 1998 and 1999, with signs being erected at the remainder of the primary schools and then the high schools. The configuration of the roads adjacent to schools varies and it is important from the road users’ view that they be treated consistently. Therefore, each site must be assessed on an individual basis, which means it is not possible to effect all school zones immediately. A full post-implementation evaluation of school zones will be conducted, involving both surveys and statistical analysis. This is expected to be completed in 12 months. There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
The number of listed cases remains much the same or has increased. The waiting list strategy money is being used to reduce the waiting lists, particularly in certain hospitals. I know Fremantle Hospital has a particular problem, which is largely due to theatres being rebuilt. The member asked a question along these lines in the Estimates Committee, and was told that the very long waiting time for orthopaedic surgery is expected to be reduced when the rebuilding work is complete in July. I do not have any more up to date figures, but I will provide them. This is a two-year strategy and it will be looked at when it has run for at least one year. It would not be proper or sensible to commit to it further without an evaluation of what it has achieved. Some of that strategy money has been spent on improving facilities, not simply on doctors dealing with more cases. In that sense, where one improves facilities so that more can be dealt with, one must allow some time to elapse to gauge whether it has had the desired effect.
I do not have any more up to date figures, but I will provide them. This is a two-year strategy and it will be looked at when it has run for at least one year. It would not be proper or sensible to commit to it further without an evaluation of what it has achieved. Some of that strategy money has been spent on improving facilities, not simply on doctors dealing with more cases. In that sense, where one improves facilities so that more can be dealt with, one must allow some time to elapse to gauge whether it has had the desired effect.
Installation
On paper, the new 40 kilometre an hour school zoning appears to be an excellent and innovative program. Is the trial proving successful and what is the proportion of metropolitan to country schools that have been allocated this zoning? Mr Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Mr OMODEI replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Transport has supplied the following response: The installation of school zones commenced in January this year as part of a three-year $8m school safety enhancement program. A detailed program for installations has been developed with the assistance of local government and approximately 330 primary schools have been included in the 1997 program. Installations will continue in 1998 and 1999, with signs being erected at the remainder of the primary schools and then the high schools. The configuration of the roads adjacent to schools varies and it is important from the road users’ view that they be treated consistently. Therefore, each site must be assessed on an individual basis, which means it is not possible to effect all school zones immediately. A full post-implementation evaluation of school zones will be conducted, involving both surveys and statistical analysis. This is expected to be completed in 12 months. There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Mr OMODEI replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Transport has supplied the following response: The installation of school zones commenced in January this year as part of a three-year $8m school safety enhancement program. A detailed program for installations has been developed with the assistance of local government and approximately 330 primary schools have been included in the 1997 program. Installations will continue in 1998 and 1999, with signs being erected at the remainder of the primary schools and then the high schools. The configuration of the roads adjacent to schools varies and it is important from the road users’ view that they be treated consistently. Therefore, each site must be assessed on an individual basis, which means it is not possible to effect all school zones immediately. A full post-implementation evaluation of school zones will be conducted, involving both surveys and statistical analysis. This is expected to be completed in 12 months. There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
The SPEAKER: Order! Mr OMODEI replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Transport has supplied the following response: The installation of school zones commenced in January this year as part of a three-year $8m school safety enhancement program. A detailed program for installations has been developed with the assistance of local government and approximately 330 primary schools have been included in the 1997 program. Installations will continue in 1998 and 1999, with signs being erected at the remainder of the primary schools and then the high schools. The configuration of the roads adjacent to schools varies and it is important from the road users’ view that they be treated consistently. Therefore, each site must be assessed on an individual basis, which means it is not possible to effect all school zones immediately. A full post-implementation evaluation of school zones will be conducted, involving both surveys and statistical analysis. This is expected to be completed in 12 months. There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr OMODEI replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Transport has supplied the following response: The installation of school zones commenced in January this year as part of a three-year $8m school safety enhancement program. A detailed program for installations has been developed with the assistance of local government and approximately 330 primary schools have been included in the 1997 program. Installations will continue in 1998 and 1999, with signs being erected at the remainder of the primary schools and then the high schools. The configuration of the roads adjacent to schools varies and it is important from the road users’ view that they be treated consistently. Therefore, each site must be assessed on an individual basis, which means it is not possible to effect all school zones immediately. A full post-implementation evaluation of school zones will be conducted, involving both surveys and statistical analysis. This is expected to be completed in 12 months. There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Transport has supplied the following response: The installation of school zones commenced in January this year as part of a three-year $8m school safety enhancement program. A detailed program for installations has been developed with the assistance of local government and approximately 330 primary schools have been included in the 1997 program. Installations will continue in 1998 and 1999, with signs being erected at the remainder of the primary schools and then the high schools. The configuration of the roads adjacent to schools varies and it is important from the road users’ view that they be treated consistently. Therefore, each site must be assessed on an individual basis, which means it is not possible to effect all school zones immediately. A full post-implementation evaluation of school zones will be conducted, involving both surveys and statistical analysis. This is expected to be completed in 12 months. There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
The configuration of the roads adjacent to schools varies and it is important from the road users’ view that they be treated consistently. Therefore, each site must be assessed on an individual basis, which means it is not possible to effect all school zones immediately. A full post-implementation evaluation of school zones will be conducted, involving both surveys and statistical analysis. This is expected to be completed in 12 months. There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
There are 1 140 schools in the State, of which 840 are in the metropolitan and 300 in rural areas; 13 per cent of schools in the metropolitan area and 4 per cent in rural areas have been completed. There is still room for improvement in country areas. HOSPITALS - ROCKINGHAM HEALTH SERVICE Waiting List 355. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: (1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Waiting List
(1) Is the Minister aware that patients waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Rockingham-Kwinana health service are waiting up to three years for their procedures? (2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(2) Is the Minister also aware that according to an orthopaedic surgeon operating at the hospital the budget restraints and cost saving measures which have recently been introduced and which will apply until the end of the financial year mean that he can perform only three operations a fortnight? (3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(3) Is the Minister aware that the same surgeon has claimed that the waiting list and surgical options for people needing non-urgent orthopaedic surgery at Rockingham are “unworkable”? Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr PRINCE replied: (1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(1)-(3) I am certainly aware of the problems with regard to the projected overruns at the Rockingham Health Service. That has been a matter of concern and departmental officers are dealing with it in conjunction with the officers at Rockingham. I am also aware that the health service received additional funding of $1 059 700 in 1996-97 for accident and emergency and community health. Inpatient services received additional funding for 160 weighted cases totalling $230 400 with consideration being given to increasing this by a further 160 weighted cases in 1997-98. Inpatient waiting list reduction strategies received an additional 111 unweighted cases, totalling $162 500 to reduce the surgical waiting list. I am aware of the difficulties; there are difficulties across the system and we must have better coordination. The 1996-97 budget was a significant increase - $54m on 1996-97 - on the allocations in past years, and all the money is being used to achieve the best results for patients. We are handling the growth in demand within the limits. HOSPITALS - WAITING LISTS Reduction 356. Mr McGINTY to the Minister for Health: How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Reduction
How many public hospitals, apart from Rockingham-Kwinana, are cutting back on elective surgery due to current budget restraints and cost cutting measures? Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr PRINCE replied: As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
As I advised the member during the estimates hearing last week - perhaps he did not take notes at the time - I think that of the total number of 170 hospitals, 12 have projected budget overruns to 30 June 1997. The total projected cost of overruns is in the vicinity of $3.7m. That matter is being handled. The member for Fremantle was in this Chamber when the teaching hospitals, which handle well over 70 per cent of these procedures, said that they would come in on budget. About 12 hospitals have projected budget overruns. Unfortunately most are in the country, but some are in the metropolitan area. Rockingham has the biggest projected overrun of any of the hospitals in the metropolitan area that I can recall. That is a matter of great concern. Insofar as the resources can be moved around within the system, they have been moved around to meet the waiting times and the waiting lists. Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr Court: What was the hospital budget? Was it $1b? Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr PRINCE: No. The hospital budget is $1.634b; that is, 28 per cent of the total budget. It is the biggest single percentage of the budget for any area of activity. There are fundamental problems to do with health funding that are not quarantined in this State. It is the same everywhere in Australia. In many places waiting times are considerably worse. We are doing better than most other places. Of course, that is of no solace to those who must wait, and were it within my power, they would not wait at all. The fact of the matter is that health funding - that is, Medicare and hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
hospital funding - within Australia is a matter that must be approached and addressed as a matter of urgency at the highest level. Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr McGinty: The question was how many hospitals are cutting back on operations. Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr PRINCE: I will tell the member that the number is 12, but I cannot tell him how many are cutting back on operations because that is a management decision; however, I will find out. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Workers - Support 357. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Minister for Labour Relations: The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Workers - Support
The Minister for Labour Relations is also a man who gets results. Some union leaders are claiming widespread support by rank and file workers for industrial action being taken over industrial relations legislation. Can the Minister inform the House of comments made recently by workers in the south west regarding these tactics? Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr KIERATH replied: I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
I thank the member for Mitchell for this question; he has taken a very strong interest in industrial relations issues, particularly within his electorate. It was recorded in the South Western Times on 13 May that picket lines by the Builders Labourers, Painters and Plasterers Union were placed around the construction site of the South West Health Campus. Surely everybody is pretty keen to get the hospital built there; nevertheless, for political reasons a picket line was put around the site. The workers accused the union of a carrying out a publicity stunt. The workers said - this is very interesting because it goes to the heart of what we have been talking about; what the workers really wanted - that they were happy with their workplace agreements, work conditions and boss. In fact, they said that they were well paid and had no industrial problems whatsoever. Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr Riebeling: That is until you came along. Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr KIERATH: This is what the workers really wanted. They rebuked the union organiser and claimed he was making false statements. They said that most workers were getting over-award rates. The employer told the workers that they did not have to cross the picket line. He was aware of some of the threats, intimidation and other illegal measures used by some unions to force compliance. Despite this, most workers crossed the picket line and continued to work. When they did so, the unionists jeered and abused them. I ask the House this: Is this democracy or is it not? Do workers have the right to go to work, without fear, intimidation and jeering, and without being abused? One interesting aspect is that one worker said, “What stuck with us was they said they were after Merv.” That is, the employer. He said, “They hurled abuse at us; they didn’t go after Merv; they went after their fellow workers.” I say the unions did that to receive political coverage. This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
This is a very clear case of the union heavies not wanting the workers to have their rights or say, not allowing them the right to say whether they wanted to work; they wanted to force their will on the workers. This is a classic case of where the workers have told the union hierarchy of the organisation, “Get lost; we don’t agree with you; we should be able to go about our lawful work and business without that sort of intimidation.” WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE - CLOSURE OF ENTRIES 358. Dr GALLOP to the Premier: (1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(1) Is the Premier aware that the deadline for entry into the Whitbread yacht race is next Sunday, 1 June? (2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(2) Has he had confirmation that Elle Racing Pty Ltd has entered a boat in the race? Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr COURT replied: (1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(1) I am not aware of the deadline. (2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(2) I will make inquiries of the Tourism Commission in respect of this matter. HEALTH - SERVICES Southern River Electorate 359. Mrs HOLMES to the Minister for Health: The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Southern River Electorate
The provision of good health services in my electorate is a matter of grave concern. No attention was paid to it during the 10 years of Labor rule, and I would like to know what this Government is doing now that it has got rid of the debt problem. The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
The SPEAKER: Order! I hope the Minister was able to hear the question, because I had a little difficulty. I remind members that when they make lead-in comments to the question, they are supposed to be sufficient only to make the question intelligible. Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr PRINCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
I thank the member for some notice of this question. I have already given part of the answer to the member for Fremantle. I will now provide the rest of it. In the 1996-97 and 1997-98 budget an additional $1m has been allocated to the two health facilities that service the Southern River electorate; that is, Armadale-Kelmscott District Memorial Hospital and Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. Of that, $283 500 has been spent on the accident and emergency area. Community health had increased funding of $12 200 in 1996-97, which will go up to $370 000 in 1997-98. I have already mentioned the growth in inpatient funding of $230 000 for 160 cases, with consideration for a further 160 cases in 1997-98; that is a total of 320 cases. An additional 111 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists. Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Set up costs of $123 100 were provided for psychiatric rehabilitation within the mental health area. The member for Peel was with me when I launched that project and he supports that excellent mental health program. Some $188 000 was provided for information technology, to implement the new metropolitan hospitals’ computerised hospital management system. Additional funding of $2 086 700 was provided in 1996-97 for services in Armadale-Kelmscott. Those opposite did not provide that at all in the 10 years they were in government. Funding for an additional 318 weighted cases, totalling $458 000, was provided to address the increase in inpatients. An additional 100 unweighted cases were purchased to reduce the inpatient waiting lists; that is, an allocation of $165 000. In the mental health area $145 000 was provided for a new mental health child and adolescent unit, which I hope those opposite will support, because they should. A further $150 000 will be provided for ongoing funding for an additional three community mental health units in 1997-98. To get better coordination across the metropolitan hospitals’ patient management system, $160 000 will be provided for information technology. That is but part of the increased funding to those two health services. They are spending that funding very wisely. They are providing a far better service than was ever provided under 10 years of debt-ridden Labor rule. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS - LEGISLATION Enforcement 360. Mr KOBELKE to the Minister for Labour Relations: (1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Enforcement
(1) Given that the new industrial relations laws are already being openly flouted, will the Minister now admit that the new laws are unworkable? (2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(2) If not, can the Minister explain to the House what steps he is taking to enforce the laws? Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr KIERATH replied: I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
I can arrange a private briefing for the member for Nollamara on how the Department of Productivity and Labour Relations and the enforcement of the Industrial Relations Act work. Surely having been made spokesman for the Labor Party he has tried to find that out. Prosecution guidelines and policies are administered by the department, not by the Minister. Those policies are similar - Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Dr Gallop: Why bring those into the Parliament? Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr KIERATH: As the member for Cottesloe once said he did, when people breach the law I remind them. Under the Industrial Relations Act industrial inspectors do not generally stand on every street corner. Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr Kobelke: They do on construction work sites. Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr KIERATH: No; inspectors are not watching to see whether the legislation is being breached. If somebody makes a complaint because they believe the law has been broken, an inspector will investigate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
The SPEAKER: The outburst from both sides of the Parliament is unacceptable. Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr KIERATH: I was trying to say to opposition members before they were unable to contain themselves that if people believe the law is being broken, they make a complaint to an industrial inspector who will investigate it. If a breach is found, the offender will be prosecuted. Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Dr Gallop: What about the law you broke? Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr KIERATH: I have not broken any law. Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Dr Gallop: Yes you have, the Public Sector Management Act; and you will not let yourself be investigated. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr KIERATH: That is typical of the double standards of the Leader of the Opposition. Although I think I have made the point clear, I am happy for the department to brief the member for Nollamara on its prosecution policy, which is independent of the Minister. The Minister is not involved in prosecutions, although the Minister is informed when convictions are recorded. When that happens, I will remind members of that. HOSPITALS - GERALDTON REGIONAL Dialysis Machines 361. Mr BLOFFWITCH to the Minister for Health: Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Dialysis Machines
Last year I made representation to the Minister for Health on behalf of several Geraldton residents who are receiving haemodialysis treatment in Perth. As a result of these representations the Minister made a commitment to initiate the development of an appropriate service at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. What progress has been made on this matter? Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr PRINCE replied: The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
The member for Geraldton has persisted on behalf of a few people from Geraldton to have a dialysis treatment service established in Geraldton so that those people do not have to travel to Perth to receive treatment. It has taken time to develop a plan involving Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth and Geraldton Regional Hospitals and the acquisition of equipment, which is now installed, water purification and training of staff. The training took the longest lead-in time. The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
The staff are now trained and the machine is in position. I gather that the first patient had her dialysis treatment at home on 6 May and will not have to travel to Perth two or three times a week. However, it is necessary for backup machines to be on hand. I am told that as a result of a very attractive purchasing deal Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital has bought two more machines. The second machine, to provide safety backup, is expected to be installed within the next couple of weeks. Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Another patient whom the member for Geraldton brought to my attention cannot be transferred back to Geraldton because he has other problems keeping him in Perth. It is anticipated over the 1997-98 financial year the number of people using the equipment should increase from two to four, or even six. The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
The equipment, the training and the number of staff will be able to handle those people as long as the form of dialysis can be obtained from the machinery in place. ABORIGINES - SISTERS Removal from their Family - Compensation 362. Mr RIPPER to the Minister for Family and Children’s Services: I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Removal from their Family - Compensation
I refer to the case involving the Aboriginal sisters Rosalie Fraser and Chantelle Graham, who were removed from their parents and who suffered terrible abuse in foster care, which the welfare authorities were warned about at the time, but which they ignored. I also refer to this Government’s refusal to compensate them for this treatment. In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
In the light of the stolen generation inquiry, will the Minister now re-examine their claim for compensation, an explanation and an apology? Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr Tubby: I remember when you were the Minister trying to take two children - The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
The SPEAKER: Order, member for Roleystone! Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr RIPPER: I was trying to return them to their Aboriginal relatives. Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mrs PARKER replied: I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
I respect the member’s sincerity in asking that question. I am aware of the cases to which he refers and I will consider his request. SWAN BREWERY - CONSTRUCTION Extension of Time 363. Dr CONSTABLE to the Premier: I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Extension of Time
I refer to the failure of Bluegate Nominees to complete construction of the old Swan Brewery despite one extension of time. (1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(1) Has Bluegate Nominees applied for a further extension of time to complete the work at the site? (2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(2) If yes, does the Government intend to grant the extension? (3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(3) Does the Government intend to use this opportunity to renegotiate the terms of the lease to achieve a better deal for the State? (4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(4) Will the Premier confirm that Bluegate Nominees has attempted to sell the lease? If so, to whom? Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr COURT replied: (1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(1)-(4) The Minister responsible is the Minister for Works and Services. An extension was given. Based on legal advice to the Government it made certain commitments to enable the development to be completed. Extensive delays took place as a result of opposition to licences etc. Bluegate Nominees has asked for a further extension and the matter is being considered by the Government. That could result in some changes to the original agreement. I cannot comment further because I am unaware of the detail. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Swan Hills 364. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Swan Hills
A report in The West Australian and comments by the member for Armadale indicate that the Keystart program is leading people into housing poverty. As there are many constituents in Swan Hills with these loans, are mechanisms in place to protect people from losing their homes? Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Dr HAMES replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
I thank the member for some notice of this question. A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
A number of safety measures are in place for people who have Keystart loans. The first covers their ability to take out the loan in the first place. The last thing we want is to drive people into housing poverty. Keystart uses a maximum loan to income ratio of 2.6, which I gather is less than the banks’ ratio of around 3. Purchasers must have a greater portion of their income available for repaying the loan. We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
We recently assessed those loans, even though yesterday the home loan interest rate was reduced to 7.75 per cent - Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Ms MacTiernan interjected. Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Dr HAMES: We can get into that argument any time the member likes. She is wrong and she knows it. We assess the ability of purchasers to repay their loan at 9.5 per cent interest rate. That allows a buffer for any future interest rate increases so that people do not lose their loan. Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Recently I provided figures to the member for Armadale which showed that the number of loans that have failed through Keystart has increased. Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Ms MacTiernan: By 150 per cent. Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Dr HAMES: However, that ratio must be considered in proportion to the total number of loans provided. Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Ms MacTiernan: They increased by 10 per cent. Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Dr HAMES: I advise the member for Armadale that it is much less than it was when the Labor Party was in government. If the member wants, I will table the figures in this House. The program implemented by the Labor Government was a major failure. It highlighted the concerns the member for Armadale raised the other day. It started at a low interest rate and people were not able to meet the increased interest rate payments. A large number of people lost their homes under that system. Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Ms MacTiernan: And we corrected it. Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Dr HAMES: The Labor Government did not correct it. It was corrected by this Government. The changes were made in 1993. The new scheme corrected the problem created by the Labor Government. The proportional increase has been minimal in comparison with the total number of loans. Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Ms MacTiernan: That is not true. Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Dr HAMES: Any person who loses their home has a major problem and something should be done to prevent that happening. I am pleased to inform the House that something is being done. Homeswest is putting in place a plan that will give people who get into financial difficulties with their home loan two options. They will be able to adjust their loan repayments for a period of six months. If the difficult circumstances remain after that time, the changed repayment schedules will remain in place for a longer term. More importantly, people who have a Keystart loan can transfer it to a shared equity loan. Under the previous system, a shared equity loan resulted in Homeswest taking responsibility for 30 per cent of the loan and the client 70 per cent. The Government will now provide for clients to take responsibility for 50 per cent of the loan, with Homeswest being responsible for the remaining 50 per cent. In addition, it will allow family members, including grandparents, to buy into the ownership of the house to assist their relatives who find themselves in financial difficulty. The Government hopes that the new scheme will mean that fewer people will lose their homes. People who apply for a Keystart loan are not eligible for bank loans because they are on low incomes. This scheme is welcomed by people on low incomes. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Advice 365. Mrs van de KLASHORST to the Minister for Housing: I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Advice
I listened carefully to the Minister and it concerns me that on occasions some of these young people applying for the loans are often - Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Ms MacTiernan: This is a preamble. Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mrs van de KLASHORST: - not given sufficient advice. The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
The SPEAKER: Order! I rule the supplementary question by the member for Swan Hills out of order. HOUSING - KEYSTART LOANS LTD Interest Rates 366. Ms MacTIERNAN to the Minister for Housing: (1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Interest Rates
(1) Is the Minister aware that hundreds of Keystart borrowers are paying interest rates of 9.8 per cent? (2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(2) Is he aware that many of the home buyers paying these exorbitant interest rates, which were introduced under a scheme which was commenced 18 months ago, are having trouble meeting their repayments and are falling into arrears? (3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(3) What action does the Minister propose to take to provide the much sought after relief for these home buyers? Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Dr HAMES replied: (1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(1)-(3) I do not think the member listened when I answered the previous question. I have been through the details of what the Government is doing to address the problems of people who are unable to meet their loan repayments. The Government recently reduced the interest rate to 7.75 per cent. I am not aware that home buyers are still paying the interest rate mentioned by the member. I presume the 7.75 per cent interest rate will be introduced from 1 July and that those people will move to that rate. To address the concerns raised by the member for Armadale I invite her to a full briefing by Homeswest on this issue. LOCAL GOVERNMENT - CITY OF BAYSWATER Security Patrols 367. Mrs ROBERTS to the Minister for Police: (1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Security Patrols
(1) Is the Minister aware that the City of Bayswater patrols have been so successful in reducing burglaries that two insurance brokers have offered to reduce premiums for all Bayswater residents by the actual cost to ratepayers of hiring the security patrols? (2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(2) Has the Government abrogated its responsibility to provide an appropriate police presence in the suburbs and a reasonable response time to calls for help? (3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(3) Does the Government have an obligation to provide good police services to everyone in the community and not leave that responsibility to councils and ratepayers who can afford it? Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr DAY replied: (1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(1) I am delighted to hear that the City of Bayswater security patrol service has been successful and I congratulate it for the initiative it has taken. I have heard that it is possible that some insurance companies will reduce insurance premiums. I do not have any knowledge of the details. Any action in this respect would be a matter between the insurance companies and the City of Bayswater. (2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(2) No, the Government is not abrogating its responsibility in providing good police services to anybody in the community. Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr Graham: The police are supposed to patrol the streets. Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr DAY: The member for Pilbara should allow me to answer the question. Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Several members interjected. Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
Mr DAY: To continue - (3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
(3) Yes, I agree the Government has a responsibility to provide good policing services in the community and it is doing that. __________ CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
CONTENTS QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 3393
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