Hon Ray Halligan asks about installing solar hot-water heaters in Homeswest homes. Hon Tom Stephens supports the idea but cites federal funding cuts as a major obstacle, blaming Senator Vanstone and the previous government for the portfolio's financial struggles.

AnsweredQoN 833Legislative Council
Asked
8 April 2003
Portfolio
Housing and Works

QuestionView source ↗

The Western Australian Sustainable Energy Association has called on the Government to install solar hot-water heaters in all Homeswest homes to help cut greenhouse gas emissions. (1) Does the minister agree with the association’s proposal? (2) If yes, when will implementation take place? (3) If no, why not? Hon TOM STEPHENS

AnswerView source ↗

(1)-(3) Installation of solar hot-water systems has occurred in public housing in some locations. I would love solar hot-water systems to be installed in all houses across Western Australia. If it were possible, I would do exactly that. However, members must keep in mind that this portfolio is under enormous pressure from cuts in federal funding. Senator Vanstone has been taking money from this portfolio like it is going out of fashion. Hon Derrick Tomlinson interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: It does not surprise me that the member laughs. He could do a better job than he does by standing up for the people of Western Australia and joining me in lobbying the federal Government. This Friday I have to go to a housing ministers’ conference to try to get from Senator Vanstone some display of compassion for the needs of the people in this State who are awaiting public housing. Such compassion has so far not been shown. She has cut the access to the goods and services tax compensation funds. She has continued to deliver efficiency dividends, and this has effectively stripped another one per cent from this portfolio’s diminishing funds. The result of her actions is that the portfolio is struggling with the public housing demand in Western Australia. We must also deal with the backlog that is the result of the neglect of the former Government, to which members opposite belonged. I will look at finding ways of doing a dammed good job in the housing portfolio, but those on the other side of the House and their federal colleagues are the last people - Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Hon Ken Travers said something very profound: when we were in opposition and members opposite were up against the Commonwealth Government, they had our support. Now that we are in government, those opposite simply disappear over the sandhills. It is about time they stood up for Western Australia.
(1) Does the minister agree with the association’s proposal? (2) If yes, when will implementation take place? (3) If no, why not? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(3) Installation of solar hot-water systems has occurred in public housing in some locations. I would love solar hot-water systems to be installed in all houses across Western Australia. If it were possible, I would do exactly that. However, members must keep in mind that this portfolio is under enormous pressure from cuts in federal funding. Senator Vanstone has been taking money from this portfolio like it is going out of fashion. Hon Derrick Tomlinson interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: It does not surprise me that the member laughs. He could do a better job than he does by standing up for the people of Western Australia and joining me in lobbying the federal Government. This Friday I have to go to a housing ministers’ conference to try to get from Senator Vanstone some display of compassion for the needs of the people in this State who are awaiting public housing. Such compassion has so far not been shown. She has cut the access to the goods and services tax compensation funds. She has continued to deliver efficiency dividends, and this has effectively stripped another one per cent from this portfolio’s diminishing funds. The result of her actions is that the portfolio is struggling with the public housing demand in Western Australia. We must also deal with the backlog that is the result of the neglect of the former Government, to which members opposite belonged. I will look at finding ways of doing a dammed good job in the housing portfolio, but those on the other side of the House and their federal colleagues are the last people - Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Hon Ken Travers said something very profound: when we were in opposition and members opposite were up against the Commonwealth Government, they had our support. Now that we are in government, those opposite simply disappear over the sandhills. It is about time they stood up for Western Australia.
(2) If yes, when will implementation take place? (3) If no, why not? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(3) Installation of solar hot-water systems has occurred in public housing in some locations. I would love solar hot-water systems to be installed in all houses across Western Australia. If it were possible, I would do exactly that. However, members must keep in mind that this portfolio is under enormous pressure from cuts in federal funding. Senator Vanstone has been taking money from this portfolio like it is going out of fashion. Hon Derrick Tomlinson interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: It does not surprise me that the member laughs. He could do a better job than he does by standing up for the people of Western Australia and joining me in lobbying the federal Government. This Friday I have to go to a housing ministers’ conference to try to get from Senator Vanstone some display of compassion for the needs of the people in this State who are awaiting public housing. Such compassion has so far not been shown. She has cut the access to the goods and services tax compensation funds. She has continued to deliver efficiency dividends, and this has effectively stripped another one per cent from this portfolio’s diminishing funds. The result of her actions is that the portfolio is struggling with the public housing demand in Western Australia. We must also deal with the backlog that is the result of the neglect of the former Government, to which members opposite belonged. I will look at finding ways of doing a dammed good job in the housing portfolio, but those on the other side of the House and their federal colleagues are the last people - Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Hon Ken Travers said something very profound: when we were in opposition and members opposite were up against the Commonwealth Government, they had our support. Now that we are in government, those opposite simply disappear over the sandhills. It is about time they stood up for Western Australia.
(3) If no, why not? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(3) Installation of solar hot-water systems has occurred in public housing in some locations. I would love solar hot-water systems to be installed in all houses across Western Australia. If it were possible, I would do exactly that. However, members must keep in mind that this portfolio is under enormous pressure from cuts in federal funding. Senator Vanstone has been taking money from this portfolio like it is going out of fashion. Hon Derrick Tomlinson interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: It does not surprise me that the member laughs. He could do a better job than he does by standing up for the people of Western Australia and joining me in lobbying the federal Government. This Friday I have to go to a housing ministers’ conference to try to get from Senator Vanstone some display of compassion for the needs of the people in this State who are awaiting public housing. Such compassion has so far not been shown. She has cut the access to the goods and services tax compensation funds. She has continued to deliver efficiency dividends, and this has effectively stripped another one per cent from this portfolio’s diminishing funds. The result of her actions is that the portfolio is struggling with the public housing demand in Western Australia. We must also deal with the backlog that is the result of the neglect of the former Government, to which members opposite belonged. I will look at finding ways of doing a dammed good job in the housing portfolio, but those on the other side of the House and their federal colleagues are the last people - Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Hon Ken Travers said something very profound: when we were in opposition and members opposite were up against the Commonwealth Government, they had our support. Now that we are in government, those opposite simply disappear over the sandhills. It is about time they stood up for Western Australia.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: (1)-(3) Installation of solar hot-water systems has occurred in public housing in some locations. I would love solar hot-water systems to be installed in all houses across Western Australia. If it were possible, I would do exactly that. However, members must keep in mind that this portfolio is under enormous pressure from cuts in federal funding. Senator Vanstone has been taking money from this portfolio like it is going out of fashion. Hon Derrick Tomlinson interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: It does not surprise me that the member laughs. He could do a better job than he does by standing up for the people of Western Australia and joining me in lobbying the federal Government. This Friday I have to go to a housing ministers’ conference to try to get from Senator Vanstone some display of compassion for the needs of the people in this State who are awaiting public housing. Such compassion has so far not been shown. She has cut the access to the goods and services tax compensation funds. She has continued to deliver efficiency dividends, and this has effectively stripped another one per cent from this portfolio’s diminishing funds. The result of her actions is that the portfolio is struggling with the public housing demand in Western Australia. We must also deal with the backlog that is the result of the neglect of the former Government, to which members opposite belonged. I will look at finding ways of doing a dammed good job in the housing portfolio, but those on the other side of the House and their federal colleagues are the last people - Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Hon Ken Travers said something very profound: when we were in opposition and members opposite were up against the Commonwealth Government, they had our support. Now that we are in government, those opposite simply disappear over the sandhills. It is about time they stood up for Western Australia.
(1)-(3) Installation of solar hot-water systems has occurred in public housing in some locations. I would love solar hot-water systems to be installed in all houses across Western Australia. If it were possible, I would do exactly that. However, members must keep in mind that this portfolio is under enormous pressure from cuts in federal funding. Senator Vanstone has been taking money from this portfolio like it is going out of fashion. Hon Derrick Tomlinson interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: It does not surprise me that the member laughs. He could do a better job than he does by standing up for the people of Western Australia and joining me in lobbying the federal Government. This Friday I have to go to a housing ministers’ conference to try to get from Senator Vanstone some display of compassion for the needs of the people in this State who are awaiting public housing. Such compassion has so far not been shown. She has cut the access to the goods and services tax compensation funds. She has continued to deliver efficiency dividends, and this has effectively stripped another one per cent from this portfolio’s diminishing funds. The result of her actions is that the portfolio is struggling with the public housing demand in Western Australia. We must also deal with the backlog that is the result of the neglect of the former Government, to which members opposite belonged. I will look at finding ways of doing a dammed good job in the housing portfolio, but those on the other side of the House and their federal colleagues are the last people - Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Hon Ken Travers said something very profound: when we were in opposition and members opposite were up against the Commonwealth Government, they had our support. Now that we are in government, those opposite simply disappear over the sandhills. It is about time they stood up for Western Australia.
Hon Derrick Tomlinson interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: It does not surprise me that the member laughs. He could do a better job than he does by standing up for the people of Western Australia and joining me in lobbying the federal Government. This Friday I have to go to a housing ministers’ conference to try to get from Senator Vanstone some display of compassion for the needs of the people in this State who are awaiting public housing. Such compassion has so far not been shown. She has cut the access to the goods and services tax compensation funds. She has continued to deliver efficiency dividends, and this has effectively stripped another one per cent from this portfolio’s diminishing funds. The result of her actions is that the portfolio is struggling with the public housing demand in Western Australia. We must also deal with the backlog that is the result of the neglect of the former Government, to which members opposite belonged. I will look at finding ways of doing a dammed good job in the housing portfolio, but those on the other side of the House and their federal colleagues are the last people - Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Hon Ken Travers said something very profound: when we were in opposition and members opposite were up against the Commonwealth Government, they had our support. Now that we are in government, those opposite simply disappear over the sandhills. It is about time they stood up for Western Australia.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: It does not surprise me that the member laughs. He could do a better job than he does by standing up for the people of Western Australia and joining me in lobbying the federal Government. This Friday I have to go to a housing ministers’ conference to try to get from Senator Vanstone some display of compassion for the needs of the people in this State who are awaiting public housing. Such compassion has so far not been shown. She has cut the access to the goods and services tax compensation funds. She has continued to deliver efficiency dividends, and this has effectively stripped another one per cent from this portfolio’s diminishing funds. The result of her actions is that the portfolio is struggling with the public housing demand in Western Australia. We must also deal with the backlog that is the result of the neglect of the former Government, to which members opposite belonged. I will look at finding ways of doing a dammed good job in the housing portfolio, but those on the other side of the House and their federal colleagues are the last people - Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Hon Ken Travers said something very profound: when we were in opposition and members opposite were up against the Commonwealth Government, they had our support. Now that we are in government, those opposite simply disappear over the sandhills. It is about time they stood up for Western Australia.
Several members interjected. Hon TOM STEPHENS: Hon Ken Travers said something very profound: when we were in opposition and members opposite were up against the Commonwealth Government, they had our support. Now that we are in government, those opposite simply disappear over the sandhills. It is about time they stood up for Western Australia.
Hon TOM STEPHENS: Hon Ken Travers said something very profound: when we were in opposition and members opposite were up against the Commonwealth Government, they had our support. Now that we are in government, those opposite simply disappear over the sandhills. It is about time they stood up for Western Australia.

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