❓ Mr. Bowler questions the Minister for Water about increasing water prices in his electorate, particularly for commercial users, referencing past decisions and seeking action from the current government. The Minister acknowledges the issue, highlights existing subsidies, and emphasizes the government's role in setting water charges, promising consideration in the upcoming budget.
AnsweredQoN 149Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WATER CHARGES
My question deals with the ever-increasing water prices in my electorate. I recall it was the now Leader of the Opposition, then Treasurer, who blindly accepted the recommendations of the Economic Regulation Authority to increase water charges, especially for commercial users, not by the 30 per cent we are talking about for power charges, but by the disproportional amount of 300 per cent over time. The Liberal–National Government is in office now and I recall the Minister for Water’s side bleating and screaming about the water charges increase three years ago. Now that the Minister for Water is in office, what will he do about the ever-increasing water prices and will he change what was started by the decision of the former government? Mr W.R. MARMION
My question deals with the ever-increasing water prices in my electorate. I recall it was the now Leader of the Opposition, then Treasurer, who blindly accepted the recommendations of the Economic Regulation Authority to increase water charges, especially for commercial users, not by the 30 per cent we are talking about for power charges, but by the disproportional amount of 300 per cent over time. The Liberal–National Government is in office now and I recall the Minister for Water’s side bleating and screaming about the water charges increase three years ago. Now that the Minister for Water is in office, what will he do about the ever-increasing water prices and will he change what was started by the decision of the former government? Mr W.R. MARMION
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Kalgoorlie for the question. I know, as everyone knows, that the member for Kalgoorlie is a strong advocate for people in Kalgoorlie. As someone born in Kalgoorlie, I have some sympathy for the points made by the member for Kalgoorlie. This year a subsidy is being paid by the government for country water sewerage and drainage operations in the order of $340 million. A subsidy is already being paid to country water users. Indeed, the Economic Regulation Authority has a role in recommending water tariffs to the government. The government supports—I think members on the other side do also—the role of the ERA in recommending water tariffs. The ERA is an independent body that has the ability to undertake analysis and promote regulatory outcomes that are fair to all Western Australians. The ERA also has a strong role in being an independent regulator for monopolies such as the Water Corporation; that is another good reason the ERA is in existence. However, as the Minister for Water I have the statutory authority to set the charges. Although the ERA can make the recommendations, as the member pointed out, at the end of the day the government, or I as minister, can set the level. No level has been set, but that will be part of the budgetary process this year and is obviously under review. I refer to water tariffs that have come into play. The ERA recommended, and the government agreed, that the supply charge for water and waste services be the same for all businesses right across Western Australia that use less than 49 kilolitres a day. However, it is true that consumption charges vary based on the actual cost of providing water. The ERA has a role in determining that cost. A good reason to have cost-reflective pricing on water is that it provides an incentive for businesses to adopt water-efficient practices and perhaps find alternative water sources, use water of a lower grade or reuse water. To minimise the impact on businesses, a gradual phase-in of the cost-reflective tariffs has been adopted. As the member probably knows, there is a cap of $5.948 a kilolitre. I have been advised that approximately 30 per cent of businesses will benefit from that cap. I acknowledge that the residents and businesses in Kalgoorlie pay a higher rate for water than people in Perth pay. However, at the end of the day water pricing is not the ERA’s decision, but a decision that the government will make. We will consider water pricing in the coming budget.
Mr W.R. MARMION replied: I thank the member for Kalgoorlie for the question. I know, as everyone knows, that the member for Kalgoorlie is a strong advocate for people in Kalgoorlie. As someone born in Kalgoorlie, I have some sympathy for the points made by the member for Kalgoorlie. This year a subsidy is being paid by the government for country water sewerage and drainage operations in the order of $340 million. A subsidy is already being paid to country water users. Indeed, the Economic Regulation Authority has a role in recommending water tariffs to the government. The government supports—I think members on the other side do also—the role of the ERA in recommending water tariffs. The ERA is an independent body that has the ability to undertake analysis and promote regulatory outcomes that are fair to all Western Australians. The ERA also has a strong role in being an independent regulator for monopolies such as the Water Corporation; that is another good reason the ERA is in existence. However, as the Minister for Water I have the statutory authority to set the charges. Although the ERA can make the recommendations, as the member pointed out, at the end of the day the government, or I as minister, can set the level. No level has been set, but that will be part of the budgetary process this year and is obviously under review. I refer to water tariffs that have come into play. The ERA recommended, and the government agreed, that the supply charge for water and waste services be the same for all businesses right across Western Australia that use less than 49 kilolitres a day. However, it is true that consumption charges vary based on the actual cost of providing water. The ERA has a role in determining that cost. A good reason to have cost-reflective pricing on water is that it provides an incentive for businesses to adopt water-efficient practices and perhaps find alternative water sources, use water of a lower grade or reuse water. To minimise the impact on businesses, a gradual phase-in of the cost-reflective tariffs has been adopted. As the member probably knows, there is a cap of $5.948 a kilolitre. I have been advised that approximately 30 per cent of businesses will benefit from that cap. I acknowledge that the residents and businesses in Kalgoorlie pay a higher rate for water than people in Perth pay. However, at the end of the day water pricing is not the ERA’s decision, but a decision that the government will make. We will consider water pricing in the coming budget.
I thank the member for Kalgoorlie for the question. I know, as everyone knows, that the member for Kalgoorlie is a strong advocate for people in Kalgoorlie. As someone born in Kalgoorlie, I have some sympathy for the points made by the member for Kalgoorlie. This year a subsidy is being paid by the government for country water sewerage and drainage operations in the order of $340 million. A subsidy is already being paid to country water users. Indeed, the Economic Regulation Authority has a role in recommending water tariffs to the government. The government supports—I think members on the other side do also—the role of the ERA in recommending water tariffs. The ERA is an independent body that has the ability to undertake analysis and promote regulatory outcomes that are fair to all Western Australians. The ERA also has a strong role in being an independent regulator for monopolies such as the Water Corporation; that is another good reason the ERA is in existence. However, as the Minister for Water I have the statutory authority to set the charges. Although the ERA can make the recommendations, as the member pointed out, at the end of the day the government, or I as minister, can set the level. No level has been set, but that will be part of the budgetary process this year and is obviously under review. I refer to water tariffs that have come into play. The ERA recommended, and the government agreed, that the supply charge for water and waste services be the same for all businesses right across Western Australia that use less than 49 kilolitres a day. However, it is true that consumption charges vary based on the actual cost of providing water. The ERA has a role in determining that cost. A good reason to have cost-reflective pricing on water is that it provides an incentive for businesses to adopt water-efficient practices and perhaps find alternative water sources, use water of a lower grade or reuse water. To minimise the impact on businesses, a gradual phase-in of the cost-reflective tariffs has been adopted. As the member probably knows, there is a cap of $5.948 a kilolitre. I have been advised that approximately 30 per cent of businesses will benefit from that cap. I acknowledge that the residents and businesses in Kalgoorlie pay a higher rate for water than people in Perth pay. However, at the end of the day water pricing is not the ERA’s decision, but a decision that the government will make. We will consider water pricing in the coming budget.
This year a subsidy is being paid by the government for country water sewerage and drainage operations in the order of $340 million. A subsidy is already being paid to country water users. Indeed, the Economic Regulation Authority has a role in recommending water tariffs to the government. The government supports—I think members on the other side do also—the role of the ERA in recommending water tariffs. The ERA is an independent body that has the ability to undertake analysis and promote regulatory outcomes that are fair to all Western Australians. The ERA also has a strong role in being an independent regulator for monopolies such as the Water Corporation; that is another good reason the ERA is in existence. However, as the Minister for Water I have the statutory authority to set the charges. Although the ERA can make the recommendations, as the member pointed out, at the end of the day the government, or I as minister, can set the level. No level has been set, but that will be part of the budgetary process this year and is obviously under review. I refer to water tariffs that have come into play. The ERA recommended, and the government agreed, that the supply charge for water and waste services be the same for all businesses right across Western Australia that use less than 49 kilolitres a day. However, it is true that consumption charges vary based on the actual cost of providing water. The ERA has a role in determining that cost. A good reason to have cost-reflective pricing on water is that it provides an incentive for businesses to adopt water-efficient practices and perhaps find alternative water sources, use water of a lower grade or reuse water. To minimise the impact on businesses, a gradual phase-in of the cost-reflective tariffs has been adopted. As the member probably knows, there is a cap of $5.948 a kilolitre. I have been advised that approximately 30 per cent of businesses will benefit from that cap. I acknowledge that the residents and businesses in Kalgoorlie pay a higher rate for water than people in Perth pay. However, at the end of the day water pricing is not the ERA’s decision, but a decision that the government will make. We will consider water pricing in the coming budget.
I refer to water tariffs that have come into play. The ERA recommended, and the government agreed, that the supply charge for water and waste services be the same for all businesses right across Western Australia that use less than 49 kilolitres a day. However, it is true that consumption charges vary based on the actual cost of providing water. The ERA has a role in determining that cost. A good reason to have cost-reflective pricing on water is that it provides an incentive for businesses to adopt water-efficient practices and perhaps find alternative water sources, use water of a lower grade or reuse water. To minimise the impact on businesses, a gradual phase-in of the cost-reflective tariffs has been adopted. As the member probably knows, there is a cap of $5.948 a kilolitre. I have been advised that approximately 30 per cent of businesses will benefit from that cap. I acknowledge that the residents and businesses in Kalgoorlie pay a higher rate for water than people in Perth pay. However, at the end of the day water pricing is not the ERA’s decision, but a decision that the government will make. We will consider water pricing in the coming budget.
I acknowledge that the residents and businesses in Kalgoorlie pay a higher rate for water than people in Perth pay. However, at the end of the day water pricing is not the ERA’s decision, but a decision that the government will make. We will consider water pricing in the coming budget.
Mr W.R. MARMION replied: I thank the member for Kalgoorlie for the question. I know, as everyone knows, that the member for Kalgoorlie is a strong advocate for people in Kalgoorlie. As someone born in Kalgoorlie, I have some sympathy for the points made by the member for Kalgoorlie. This year a subsidy is being paid by the government for country water sewerage and drainage operations in the order of $340 million. A subsidy is already being paid to country water users. Indeed, the Economic Regulation Authority has a role in recommending water tariffs to the government. The government supports—I think members on the other side do also—the role of the ERA in recommending water tariffs. The ERA is an independent body that has the ability to undertake analysis and promote regulatory outcomes that are fair to all Western Australians. The ERA also has a strong role in being an independent regulator for monopolies such as the Water Corporation; that is another good reason the ERA is in existence. However, as the Minister for Water I have the statutory authority to set the charges. Although the ERA can make the recommendations, as the member pointed out, at the end of the day the government, or I as minister, can set the level. No level has been set, but that will be part of the budgetary process this year and is obviously under review. I refer to water tariffs that have come into play. The ERA recommended, and the government agreed, that the supply charge for water and waste services be the same for all businesses right across Western Australia that use less than 49 kilolitres a day. However, it is true that consumption charges vary based on the actual cost of providing water. The ERA has a role in determining that cost. A good reason to have cost-reflective pricing on water is that it provides an incentive for businesses to adopt water-efficient practices and perhaps find alternative water sources, use water of a lower grade or reuse water. To minimise the impact on businesses, a gradual phase-in of the cost-reflective tariffs has been adopted. As the member probably knows, there is a cap of $5.948 a kilolitre. I have been advised that approximately 30 per cent of businesses will benefit from that cap. I acknowledge that the residents and businesses in Kalgoorlie pay a higher rate for water than people in Perth pay. However, at the end of the day water pricing is not the ERA’s decision, but a decision that the government will make. We will consider water pricing in the coming budget.
I thank the member for Kalgoorlie for the question. I know, as everyone knows, that the member for Kalgoorlie is a strong advocate for people in Kalgoorlie. As someone born in Kalgoorlie, I have some sympathy for the points made by the member for Kalgoorlie. This year a subsidy is being paid by the government for country water sewerage and drainage operations in the order of $340 million. A subsidy is already being paid to country water users. Indeed, the Economic Regulation Authority has a role in recommending water tariffs to the government. The government supports—I think members on the other side do also—the role of the ERA in recommending water tariffs. The ERA is an independent body that has the ability to undertake analysis and promote regulatory outcomes that are fair to all Western Australians. The ERA also has a strong role in being an independent regulator for monopolies such as the Water Corporation; that is another good reason the ERA is in existence. However, as the Minister for Water I have the statutory authority to set the charges. Although the ERA can make the recommendations, as the member pointed out, at the end of the day the government, or I as minister, can set the level. No level has been set, but that will be part of the budgetary process this year and is obviously under review. I refer to water tariffs that have come into play. The ERA recommended, and the government agreed, that the supply charge for water and waste services be the same for all businesses right across Western Australia that use less than 49 kilolitres a day. However, it is true that consumption charges vary based on the actual cost of providing water. The ERA has a role in determining that cost. A good reason to have cost-reflective pricing on water is that it provides an incentive for businesses to adopt water-efficient practices and perhaps find alternative water sources, use water of a lower grade or reuse water. To minimise the impact on businesses, a gradual phase-in of the cost-reflective tariffs has been adopted. As the member probably knows, there is a cap of $5.948 a kilolitre. I have been advised that approximately 30 per cent of businesses will benefit from that cap. I acknowledge that the residents and businesses in Kalgoorlie pay a higher rate for water than people in Perth pay. However, at the end of the day water pricing is not the ERA’s decision, but a decision that the government will make. We will consider water pricing in the coming budget.
This year a subsidy is being paid by the government for country water sewerage and drainage operations in the order of $340 million. A subsidy is already being paid to country water users. Indeed, the Economic Regulation Authority has a role in recommending water tariffs to the government. The government supports—I think members on the other side do also—the role of the ERA in recommending water tariffs. The ERA is an independent body that has the ability to undertake analysis and promote regulatory outcomes that are fair to all Western Australians. The ERA also has a strong role in being an independent regulator for monopolies such as the Water Corporation; that is another good reason the ERA is in existence. However, as the Minister for Water I have the statutory authority to set the charges. Although the ERA can make the recommendations, as the member pointed out, at the end of the day the government, or I as minister, can set the level. No level has been set, but that will be part of the budgetary process this year and is obviously under review. I refer to water tariffs that have come into play. The ERA recommended, and the government agreed, that the supply charge for water and waste services be the same for all businesses right across Western Australia that use less than 49 kilolitres a day. However, it is true that consumption charges vary based on the actual cost of providing water. The ERA has a role in determining that cost. A good reason to have cost-reflective pricing on water is that it provides an incentive for businesses to adopt water-efficient practices and perhaps find alternative water sources, use water of a lower grade or reuse water. To minimise the impact on businesses, a gradual phase-in of the cost-reflective tariffs has been adopted. As the member probably knows, there is a cap of $5.948 a kilolitre. I have been advised that approximately 30 per cent of businesses will benefit from that cap. I acknowledge that the residents and businesses in Kalgoorlie pay a higher rate for water than people in Perth pay. However, at the end of the day water pricing is not the ERA’s decision, but a decision that the government will make. We will consider water pricing in the coming budget.
I refer to water tariffs that have come into play. The ERA recommended, and the government agreed, that the supply charge for water and waste services be the same for all businesses right across Western Australia that use less than 49 kilolitres a day. However, it is true that consumption charges vary based on the actual cost of providing water. The ERA has a role in determining that cost. A good reason to have cost-reflective pricing on water is that it provides an incentive for businesses to adopt water-efficient practices and perhaps find alternative water sources, use water of a lower grade or reuse water. To minimise the impact on businesses, a gradual phase-in of the cost-reflective tariffs has been adopted. As the member probably knows, there is a cap of $5.948 a kilolitre. I have been advised that approximately 30 per cent of businesses will benefit from that cap. I acknowledge that the residents and businesses in Kalgoorlie pay a higher rate for water than people in Perth pay. However, at the end of the day water pricing is not the ERA’s decision, but a decision that the government will make. We will consider water pricing in the coming budget.
I acknowledge that the residents and businesses in Kalgoorlie pay a higher rate for water than people in Perth pay. However, at the end of the day water pricing is not the ERA’s decision, but a decision that the government will make. We will consider water pricing in the coming budget.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.