❓ Shadow Treasurer Buswell questions Treasurer Ripper on Perth's high inflation rate, attributing it to rising property prices and land shortages. Ripper deflects, blaming national interest rate policy and highlighting state government support for families.
AnsweredQoN 777Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
INFLATION DATA
I refer to the fact that according to the inflation data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Perth’s 4.8 per cent inflation rate is largely due to a 9.3 per cent rise in housing, nearly triple the 3.3 per cent increase for the weighted average of eight capital cities. (1) Can the Treasurer confirm that an analysis of the ABS data reveals that a third of the inflation result for Perth over the past year can be directly attributed to increases in property prices and rent? (2) Can the Treasurer confirm that the land shortage has contributed to the increase in property prices, which has been the single biggest factor in Perth’s 4.8 per cent inflation rate? (3) Will the Treasurer concede that the government’s failure to manage the release of land for housing has dramatically increased purchase prices and has placed pressure on the Reserve Bank to increase interest rates? Mr E.S. RIPPER
I refer to the fact that according to the inflation data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Perth’s 4.8 per cent inflation rate is largely due to a 9.3 per cent rise in housing, nearly triple the 3.3 per cent increase for the weighted average of eight capital cities. (1) Can the Treasurer confirm that an analysis of the ABS data reveals that a third of the inflation result for Perth over the past year can be directly attributed to increases in property prices and rent? (2) Can the Treasurer confirm that the land shortage has contributed to the increase in property prices, which has been the single biggest factor in Perth’s 4.8 per cent inflation rate? (3) Will the Treasurer concede that the government’s failure to manage the release of land for housing has dramatically increased purchase prices and has placed pressure on the Reserve Bank to increase interest rates? Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) Only the Deputy Leader of the Opposition could find doom and gloom in the wonderful economic circumstances currently being experienced in Western Australia. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the only one looking for the negative aspects of Western Australia’s economic situation. Everyone else recognises that the Western Australian economy is booming. Everyone else recognises that we are living in extremely fortunate times and that we have, as a community, increased capacity to build a wonderful economy and a wonderful society as a result of our economic circumstances. Several members interjected. The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr G. Woodhams) : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : The consumer price index in Perth rose by 1.1 per cent for the September quarter; it rose by 0.9 per cent nationally. Treasury has advised me that Perth’s inflation rate is likely to ease during 2006-07 as exceptional factors such as fuel and fruit prices either plateau or decrease. However, inflation in Perth could remain a little above the rate for the rest of the nation as long as housing price growth exceeds the national average by a significant margin. Housing was the largest contributor to growth in the Perth consumer price index for the quarter, contributing just under half of the 1.1 per cent increase. Food was the next highest contributor, accounting for 0.27 percentage points. In good news for motorists, fuel prices fell during the September quarter, reducing Perth’s CPI growth by 0.09 per cent. The real risk is what the national inflation figures will do to John Howard’s promise on interest rates. Bill Evans, the chief economist at Westpac, said today that the result meant it was almost certain that the Reserve Bank would raise rates by 0.25 per cent on 8 November, and that the result also posed the significant risk of a follow-up rate rise in February. The pundits have recently reflected upon three interest rate increases and the prospect of a fourth; now they are talking about the prospect of a fourth and a fifth interest rate increase since John Howard made his interest rate promise. Even if there is only a fourth increase and not a fifth, average mortgage repayments in Western Australia will jump to $14 942 a year. Think about that figure: $14 942 a year; an extra $1 300 a month, or $25 a week. That is what will come out of the family budget as a result of four interest rate increases since John Howard made his promise. This government cares about family living standards and has always kept increases in household fees and charges well below the rate of inflation. In real terms, the basket of household fees and charges has been cut by $390 over six years; electricity prices have been fixed for six years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
(1) Can the Treasurer confirm that an analysis of the ABS data reveals that a third of the inflation result for Perth over the past year can be directly attributed to increases in property prices and rent? (2) Can the Treasurer confirm that the land shortage has contributed to the increase in property prices, which has been the single biggest factor in Perth’s 4.8 per cent inflation rate? (3) Will the Treasurer concede that the government’s failure to manage the release of land for housing has dramatically increased purchase prices and has placed pressure on the Reserve Bank to increase interest rates? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) Only the Deputy Leader of the Opposition could find doom and gloom in the wonderful economic circumstances currently being experienced in Western Australia. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the only one looking for the negative aspects of Western Australia’s economic situation. Everyone else recognises that the Western Australian economy is booming. Everyone else recognises that we are living in extremely fortunate times and that we have, as a community, increased capacity to build a wonderful economy and a wonderful society as a result of our economic circumstances. Several members interjected. The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr G. Woodhams) : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : The consumer price index in Perth rose by 1.1 per cent for the September quarter; it rose by 0.9 per cent nationally. Treasury has advised me that Perth’s inflation rate is likely to ease during 2006-07 as exceptional factors such as fuel and fruit prices either plateau or decrease. However, inflation in Perth could remain a little above the rate for the rest of the nation as long as housing price growth exceeds the national average by a significant margin. Housing was the largest contributor to growth in the Perth consumer price index for the quarter, contributing just under half of the 1.1 per cent increase. Food was the next highest contributor, accounting for 0.27 percentage points. In good news for motorists, fuel prices fell during the September quarter, reducing Perth’s CPI growth by 0.09 per cent. The real risk is what the national inflation figures will do to John Howard’s promise on interest rates. Bill Evans, the chief economist at Westpac, said today that the result meant it was almost certain that the Reserve Bank would raise rates by 0.25 per cent on 8 November, and that the result also posed the significant risk of a follow-up rate rise in February. The pundits have recently reflected upon three interest rate increases and the prospect of a fourth; now they are talking about the prospect of a fourth and a fifth interest rate increase since John Howard made his interest rate promise. Even if there is only a fourth increase and not a fifth, average mortgage repayments in Western Australia will jump to $14 942 a year. Think about that figure: $14 942 a year; an extra $1 300 a month, or $25 a week. That is what will come out of the family budget as a result of four interest rate increases since John Howard made his promise. This government cares about family living standards and has always kept increases in household fees and charges well below the rate of inflation. In real terms, the basket of household fees and charges has been cut by $390 over six years; electricity prices have been fixed for six years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
(2) Can the Treasurer confirm that the land shortage has contributed to the increase in property prices, which has been the single biggest factor in Perth’s 4.8 per cent inflation rate? (3) Will the Treasurer concede that the government’s failure to manage the release of land for housing has dramatically increased purchase prices and has placed pressure on the Reserve Bank to increase interest rates? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) Only the Deputy Leader of the Opposition could find doom and gloom in the wonderful economic circumstances currently being experienced in Western Australia. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the only one looking for the negative aspects of Western Australia’s economic situation. Everyone else recognises that the Western Australian economy is booming. Everyone else recognises that we are living in extremely fortunate times and that we have, as a community, increased capacity to build a wonderful economy and a wonderful society as a result of our economic circumstances. Several members interjected. The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr G. Woodhams) : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : The consumer price index in Perth rose by 1.1 per cent for the September quarter; it rose by 0.9 per cent nationally. Treasury has advised me that Perth’s inflation rate is likely to ease during 2006-07 as exceptional factors such as fuel and fruit prices either plateau or decrease. However, inflation in Perth could remain a little above the rate for the rest of the nation as long as housing price growth exceeds the national average by a significant margin. Housing was the largest contributor to growth in the Perth consumer price index for the quarter, contributing just under half of the 1.1 per cent increase. Food was the next highest contributor, accounting for 0.27 percentage points. In good news for motorists, fuel prices fell during the September quarter, reducing Perth’s CPI growth by 0.09 per cent. The real risk is what the national inflation figures will do to John Howard’s promise on interest rates. Bill Evans, the chief economist at Westpac, said today that the result meant it was almost certain that the Reserve Bank would raise rates by 0.25 per cent on 8 November, and that the result also posed the significant risk of a follow-up rate rise in February. The pundits have recently reflected upon three interest rate increases and the prospect of a fourth; now they are talking about the prospect of a fourth and a fifth interest rate increase since John Howard made his interest rate promise. Even if there is only a fourth increase and not a fifth, average mortgage repayments in Western Australia will jump to $14 942 a year. Think about that figure: $14 942 a year; an extra $1 300 a month, or $25 a week. That is what will come out of the family budget as a result of four interest rate increases since John Howard made his promise. This government cares about family living standards and has always kept increases in household fees and charges well below the rate of inflation. In real terms, the basket of household fees and charges has been cut by $390 over six years; electricity prices have been fixed for six years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
(3) Will the Treasurer concede that the government’s failure to manage the release of land for housing has dramatically increased purchase prices and has placed pressure on the Reserve Bank to increase interest rates? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) Only the Deputy Leader of the Opposition could find doom and gloom in the wonderful economic circumstances currently being experienced in Western Australia. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the only one looking for the negative aspects of Western Australia’s economic situation. Everyone else recognises that the Western Australian economy is booming. Everyone else recognises that we are living in extremely fortunate times and that we have, as a community, increased capacity to build a wonderful economy and a wonderful society as a result of our economic circumstances. Several members interjected. The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr G. Woodhams) : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : The consumer price index in Perth rose by 1.1 per cent for the September quarter; it rose by 0.9 per cent nationally. Treasury has advised me that Perth’s inflation rate is likely to ease during 2006-07 as exceptional factors such as fuel and fruit prices either plateau or decrease. However, inflation in Perth could remain a little above the rate for the rest of the nation as long as housing price growth exceeds the national average by a significant margin. Housing was the largest contributor to growth in the Perth consumer price index for the quarter, contributing just under half of the 1.1 per cent increase. Food was the next highest contributor, accounting for 0.27 percentage points. In good news for motorists, fuel prices fell during the September quarter, reducing Perth’s CPI growth by 0.09 per cent. The real risk is what the national inflation figures will do to John Howard’s promise on interest rates. Bill Evans, the chief economist at Westpac, said today that the result meant it was almost certain that the Reserve Bank would raise rates by 0.25 per cent on 8 November, and that the result also posed the significant risk of a follow-up rate rise in February. The pundits have recently reflected upon three interest rate increases and the prospect of a fourth; now they are talking about the prospect of a fourth and a fifth interest rate increase since John Howard made his interest rate promise. Even if there is only a fourth increase and not a fifth, average mortgage repayments in Western Australia will jump to $14 942 a year. Think about that figure: $14 942 a year; an extra $1 300 a month, or $25 a week. That is what will come out of the family budget as a result of four interest rate increases since John Howard made his promise. This government cares about family living standards and has always kept increases in household fees and charges well below the rate of inflation. In real terms, the basket of household fees and charges has been cut by $390 over six years; electricity prices have been fixed for six years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) Only the Deputy Leader of the Opposition could find doom and gloom in the wonderful economic circumstances currently being experienced in Western Australia. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the only one looking for the negative aspects of Western Australia’s economic situation. Everyone else recognises that the Western Australian economy is booming. Everyone else recognises that we are living in extremely fortunate times and that we have, as a community, increased capacity to build a wonderful economy and a wonderful society as a result of our economic circumstances. Several members interjected. The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr G. Woodhams) : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : The consumer price index in Perth rose by 1.1 per cent for the September quarter; it rose by 0.9 per cent nationally. Treasury has advised me that Perth’s inflation rate is likely to ease during 2006-07 as exceptional factors such as fuel and fruit prices either plateau or decrease. However, inflation in Perth could remain a little above the rate for the rest of the nation as long as housing price growth exceeds the national average by a significant margin. Housing was the largest contributor to growth in the Perth consumer price index for the quarter, contributing just under half of the 1.1 per cent increase. Food was the next highest contributor, accounting for 0.27 percentage points. In good news for motorists, fuel prices fell during the September quarter, reducing Perth’s CPI growth by 0.09 per cent. The real risk is what the national inflation figures will do to John Howard’s promise on interest rates. Bill Evans, the chief economist at Westpac, said today that the result meant it was almost certain that the Reserve Bank would raise rates by 0.25 per cent on 8 November, and that the result also posed the significant risk of a follow-up rate rise in February. The pundits have recently reflected upon three interest rate increases and the prospect of a fourth; now they are talking about the prospect of a fourth and a fifth interest rate increase since John Howard made his interest rate promise. Even if there is only a fourth increase and not a fifth, average mortgage repayments in Western Australia will jump to $14 942 a year. Think about that figure: $14 942 a year; an extra $1 300 a month, or $25 a week. That is what will come out of the family budget as a result of four interest rate increases since John Howard made his promise. This government cares about family living standards and has always kept increases in household fees and charges well below the rate of inflation. In real terms, the basket of household fees and charges has been cut by $390 over six years; electricity prices have been fixed for six years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
(1)-(3) Only the Deputy Leader of the Opposition could find doom and gloom in the wonderful economic circumstances currently being experienced in Western Australia. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the only one looking for the negative aspects of Western Australia’s economic situation. Everyone else recognises that the Western Australian economy is booming. Everyone else recognises that we are living in extremely fortunate times and that we have, as a community, increased capacity to build a wonderful economy and a wonderful society as a result of our economic circumstances. Several members interjected. The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr G. Woodhams) : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : The consumer price index in Perth rose by 1.1 per cent for the September quarter; it rose by 0.9 per cent nationally. Treasury has advised me that Perth’s inflation rate is likely to ease during 2006-07 as exceptional factors such as fuel and fruit prices either plateau or decrease. However, inflation in Perth could remain a little above the rate for the rest of the nation as long as housing price growth exceeds the national average by a significant margin. Housing was the largest contributor to growth in the Perth consumer price index for the quarter, contributing just under half of the 1.1 per cent increase. Food was the next highest contributor, accounting for 0.27 percentage points. In good news for motorists, fuel prices fell during the September quarter, reducing Perth’s CPI growth by 0.09 per cent. The real risk is what the national inflation figures will do to John Howard’s promise on interest rates. Bill Evans, the chief economist at Westpac, said today that the result meant it was almost certain that the Reserve Bank would raise rates by 0.25 per cent on 8 November, and that the result also posed the significant risk of a follow-up rate rise in February. The pundits have recently reflected upon three interest rate increases and the prospect of a fourth; now they are talking about the prospect of a fourth and a fifth interest rate increase since John Howard made his interest rate promise. Even if there is only a fourth increase and not a fifth, average mortgage repayments in Western Australia will jump to $14 942 a year. Think about that figure: $14 942 a year; an extra $1 300 a month, or $25 a week. That is what will come out of the family budget as a result of four interest rate increases since John Howard made his promise. This government cares about family living standards and has always kept increases in household fees and charges well below the rate of inflation. In real terms, the basket of household fees and charges has been cut by $390 over six years; electricity prices have been fixed for six years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
Several members interjected. The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr G. Woodhams) : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : The consumer price index in Perth rose by 1.1 per cent for the September quarter; it rose by 0.9 per cent nationally. Treasury has advised me that Perth’s inflation rate is likely to ease during 2006-07 as exceptional factors such as fuel and fruit prices either plateau or decrease. However, inflation in Perth could remain a little above the rate for the rest of the nation as long as housing price growth exceeds the national average by a significant margin. Housing was the largest contributor to growth in the Perth consumer price index for the quarter, contributing just under half of the 1.1 per cent increase. Food was the next highest contributor, accounting for 0.27 percentage points. In good news for motorists, fuel prices fell during the September quarter, reducing Perth’s CPI growth by 0.09 per cent. The real risk is what the national inflation figures will do to John Howard’s promise on interest rates. Bill Evans, the chief economist at Westpac, said today that the result meant it was almost certain that the Reserve Bank would raise rates by 0.25 per cent on 8 November, and that the result also posed the significant risk of a follow-up rate rise in February. The pundits have recently reflected upon three interest rate increases and the prospect of a fourth; now they are talking about the prospect of a fourth and a fifth interest rate increase since John Howard made his interest rate promise. Even if there is only a fourth increase and not a fifth, average mortgage repayments in Western Australia will jump to $14 942 a year. Think about that figure: $14 942 a year; an extra $1 300 a month, or $25 a week. That is what will come out of the family budget as a result of four interest rate increases since John Howard made his promise. This government cares about family living standards and has always kept increases in household fees and charges well below the rate of inflation. In real terms, the basket of household fees and charges has been cut by $390 over six years; electricity prices have been fixed for six years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr G. Woodhams) : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : The consumer price index in Perth rose by 1.1 per cent for the September quarter; it rose by 0.9 per cent nationally. Treasury has advised me that Perth’s inflation rate is likely to ease during 2006-07 as exceptional factors such as fuel and fruit prices either plateau or decrease. However, inflation in Perth could remain a little above the rate for the rest of the nation as long as housing price growth exceeds the national average by a significant margin. Housing was the largest contributor to growth in the Perth consumer price index for the quarter, contributing just under half of the 1.1 per cent increase. Food was the next highest contributor, accounting for 0.27 percentage points. In good news for motorists, fuel prices fell during the September quarter, reducing Perth’s CPI growth by 0.09 per cent. The real risk is what the national inflation figures will do to John Howard’s promise on interest rates. Bill Evans, the chief economist at Westpac, said today that the result meant it was almost certain that the Reserve Bank would raise rates by 0.25 per cent on 8 November, and that the result also posed the significant risk of a follow-up rate rise in February. The pundits have recently reflected upon three interest rate increases and the prospect of a fourth; now they are talking about the prospect of a fourth and a fifth interest rate increase since John Howard made his interest rate promise. Even if there is only a fourth increase and not a fifth, average mortgage repayments in Western Australia will jump to $14 942 a year. Think about that figure: $14 942 a year; an extra $1 300 a month, or $25 a week. That is what will come out of the family budget as a result of four interest rate increases since John Howard made his promise. This government cares about family living standards and has always kept increases in household fees and charges well below the rate of inflation. In real terms, the basket of household fees and charges has been cut by $390 over six years; electricity prices have been fixed for six years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : The consumer price index in Perth rose by 1.1 per cent for the September quarter; it rose by 0.9 per cent nationally. Treasury has advised me that Perth’s inflation rate is likely to ease during 2006-07 as exceptional factors such as fuel and fruit prices either plateau or decrease. However, inflation in Perth could remain a little above the rate for the rest of the nation as long as housing price growth exceeds the national average by a significant margin. Housing was the largest contributor to growth in the Perth consumer price index for the quarter, contributing just under half of the 1.1 per cent increase. Food was the next highest contributor, accounting for 0.27 percentage points. In good news for motorists, fuel prices fell during the September quarter, reducing Perth’s CPI growth by 0.09 per cent. The real risk is what the national inflation figures will do to John Howard’s promise on interest rates. Bill Evans, the chief economist at Westpac, said today that the result meant it was almost certain that the Reserve Bank would raise rates by 0.25 per cent on 8 November, and that the result also posed the significant risk of a follow-up rate rise in February. The pundits have recently reflected upon three interest rate increases and the prospect of a fourth; now they are talking about the prospect of a fourth and a fifth interest rate increase since John Howard made his interest rate promise. Even if there is only a fourth increase and not a fifth, average mortgage repayments in Western Australia will jump to $14 942 a year. Think about that figure: $14 942 a year; an extra $1 300 a month, or $25 a week. That is what will come out of the family budget as a result of four interest rate increases since John Howard made his promise. This government cares about family living standards and has always kept increases in household fees and charges well below the rate of inflation. In real terms, the basket of household fees and charges has been cut by $390 over six years; electricity prices have been fixed for six years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
The pundits have recently reflected upon three interest rate increases and the prospect of a fourth; now they are talking about the prospect of a fourth and a fifth interest rate increase since John Howard made his interest rate promise. Even if there is only a fourth increase and not a fifth, average mortgage repayments in Western Australia will jump to $14 942 a year. Think about that figure: $14 942 a year; an extra $1 300 a month, or $25 a week. That is what will come out of the family budget as a result of four interest rate increases since John Howard made his promise. This government cares about family living standards and has always kept increases in household fees and charges well below the rate of inflation. In real terms, the basket of household fees and charges has been cut by $390 over six years; electricity prices have been fixed for six years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
(1) Can the Treasurer confirm that an analysis of the ABS data reveals that a third of the inflation result for Perth over the past year can be directly attributed to increases in property prices and rent? (2) Can the Treasurer confirm that the land shortage has contributed to the increase in property prices, which has been the single biggest factor in Perth’s 4.8 per cent inflation rate? (3) Will the Treasurer concede that the government’s failure to manage the release of land for housing has dramatically increased purchase prices and has placed pressure on the Reserve Bank to increase interest rates? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) Only the Deputy Leader of the Opposition could find doom and gloom in the wonderful economic circumstances currently being experienced in Western Australia. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the only one looking for the negative aspects of Western Australia’s economic situation. Everyone else recognises that the Western Australian economy is booming. Everyone else recognises that we are living in extremely fortunate times and that we have, as a community, increased capacity to build a wonderful economy and a wonderful society as a result of our economic circumstances. Several members interjected. The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr G. Woodhams) : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : The consumer price index in Perth rose by 1.1 per cent for the September quarter; it rose by 0.9 per cent nationally. Treasury has advised me that Perth’s inflation rate is likely to ease during 2006-07 as exceptional factors such as fuel and fruit prices either plateau or decrease. However, inflation in Perth could remain a little above the rate for the rest of the nation as long as housing price growth exceeds the national average by a significant margin. Housing was the largest contributor to growth in the Perth consumer price index for the quarter, contributing just under half of the 1.1 per cent increase. Food was the next highest contributor, accounting for 0.27 percentage points. In good news for motorists, fuel prices fell during the September quarter, reducing Perth’s CPI growth by 0.09 per cent. The real risk is what the national inflation figures will do to John Howard’s promise on interest rates. Bill Evans, the chief economist at Westpac, said today that the result meant it was almost certain that the Reserve Bank would raise rates by 0.25 per cent on 8 November, and that the result also posed the significant risk of a follow-up rate rise in February. The pundits have recently reflected upon three interest rate increases and the prospect of a fourth; now they are talking about the prospect of a fourth and a fifth interest rate increase since John Howard made his interest rate promise. Even if there is only a fourth increase and not a fifth, average mortgage repayments in Western Australia will jump to $14 942 a year. Think about that figure: $14 942 a year; an extra $1 300 a month, or $25 a week. That is what will come out of the family budget as a result of four interest rate increases since John Howard made his promise. This government cares about family living standards and has always kept increases in household fees and charges well below the rate of inflation. In real terms, the basket of household fees and charges has been cut by $390 over six years; electricity prices have been fixed for six years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
(2) Can the Treasurer confirm that the land shortage has contributed to the increase in property prices, which has been the single biggest factor in Perth’s 4.8 per cent inflation rate? (3) Will the Treasurer concede that the government’s failure to manage the release of land for housing has dramatically increased purchase prices and has placed pressure on the Reserve Bank to increase interest rates? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) Only the Deputy Leader of the Opposition could find doom and gloom in the wonderful economic circumstances currently being experienced in Western Australia. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the only one looking for the negative aspects of Western Australia’s economic situation. Everyone else recognises that the Western Australian economy is booming. Everyone else recognises that we are living in extremely fortunate times and that we have, as a community, increased capacity to build a wonderful economy and a wonderful society as a result of our economic circumstances. Several members interjected. The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr G. Woodhams) : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : The consumer price index in Perth rose by 1.1 per cent for the September quarter; it rose by 0.9 per cent nationally. Treasury has advised me that Perth’s inflation rate is likely to ease during 2006-07 as exceptional factors such as fuel and fruit prices either plateau or decrease. However, inflation in Perth could remain a little above the rate for the rest of the nation as long as housing price growth exceeds the national average by a significant margin. Housing was the largest contributor to growth in the Perth consumer price index for the quarter, contributing just under half of the 1.1 per cent increase. Food was the next highest contributor, accounting for 0.27 percentage points. In good news for motorists, fuel prices fell during the September quarter, reducing Perth’s CPI growth by 0.09 per cent. The real risk is what the national inflation figures will do to John Howard’s promise on interest rates. Bill Evans, the chief economist at Westpac, said today that the result meant it was almost certain that the Reserve Bank would raise rates by 0.25 per cent on 8 November, and that the result also posed the significant risk of a follow-up rate rise in February. The pundits have recently reflected upon three interest rate increases and the prospect of a fourth; now they are talking about the prospect of a fourth and a fifth interest rate increase since John Howard made his interest rate promise. Even if there is only a fourth increase and not a fifth, average mortgage repayments in Western Australia will jump to $14 942 a year. Think about that figure: $14 942 a year; an extra $1 300 a month, or $25 a week. That is what will come out of the family budget as a result of four interest rate increases since John Howard made his promise. This government cares about family living standards and has always kept increases in household fees and charges well below the rate of inflation. In real terms, the basket of household fees and charges has been cut by $390 over six years; electricity prices have been fixed for six years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
(3) Will the Treasurer concede that the government’s failure to manage the release of land for housing has dramatically increased purchase prices and has placed pressure on the Reserve Bank to increase interest rates? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) Only the Deputy Leader of the Opposition could find doom and gloom in the wonderful economic circumstances currently being experienced in Western Australia. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the only one looking for the negative aspects of Western Australia’s economic situation. Everyone else recognises that the Western Australian economy is booming. Everyone else recognises that we are living in extremely fortunate times and that we have, as a community, increased capacity to build a wonderful economy and a wonderful society as a result of our economic circumstances. Several members interjected. The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr G. Woodhams) : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : The consumer price index in Perth rose by 1.1 per cent for the September quarter; it rose by 0.9 per cent nationally. Treasury has advised me that Perth’s inflation rate is likely to ease during 2006-07 as exceptional factors such as fuel and fruit prices either plateau or decrease. However, inflation in Perth could remain a little above the rate for the rest of the nation as long as housing price growth exceeds the national average by a significant margin. Housing was the largest contributor to growth in the Perth consumer price index for the quarter, contributing just under half of the 1.1 per cent increase. Food was the next highest contributor, accounting for 0.27 percentage points. In good news for motorists, fuel prices fell during the September quarter, reducing Perth’s CPI growth by 0.09 per cent. The real risk is what the national inflation figures will do to John Howard’s promise on interest rates. Bill Evans, the chief economist at Westpac, said today that the result meant it was almost certain that the Reserve Bank would raise rates by 0.25 per cent on 8 November, and that the result also posed the significant risk of a follow-up rate rise in February. The pundits have recently reflected upon three interest rate increases and the prospect of a fourth; now they are talking about the prospect of a fourth and a fifth interest rate increase since John Howard made his interest rate promise. Even if there is only a fourth increase and not a fifth, average mortgage repayments in Western Australia will jump to $14 942 a year. Think about that figure: $14 942 a year; an extra $1 300 a month, or $25 a week. That is what will come out of the family budget as a result of four interest rate increases since John Howard made his promise. This government cares about family living standards and has always kept increases in household fees and charges well below the rate of inflation. In real terms, the basket of household fees and charges has been cut by $390 over six years; electricity prices have been fixed for six years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) Only the Deputy Leader of the Opposition could find doom and gloom in the wonderful economic circumstances currently being experienced in Western Australia. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the only one looking for the negative aspects of Western Australia’s economic situation. Everyone else recognises that the Western Australian economy is booming. Everyone else recognises that we are living in extremely fortunate times and that we have, as a community, increased capacity to build a wonderful economy and a wonderful society as a result of our economic circumstances. Several members interjected. The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr G. Woodhams) : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : The consumer price index in Perth rose by 1.1 per cent for the September quarter; it rose by 0.9 per cent nationally. Treasury has advised me that Perth’s inflation rate is likely to ease during 2006-07 as exceptional factors such as fuel and fruit prices either plateau or decrease. However, inflation in Perth could remain a little above the rate for the rest of the nation as long as housing price growth exceeds the national average by a significant margin. Housing was the largest contributor to growth in the Perth consumer price index for the quarter, contributing just under half of the 1.1 per cent increase. Food was the next highest contributor, accounting for 0.27 percentage points. In good news for motorists, fuel prices fell during the September quarter, reducing Perth’s CPI growth by 0.09 per cent. The real risk is what the national inflation figures will do to John Howard’s promise on interest rates. Bill Evans, the chief economist at Westpac, said today that the result meant it was almost certain that the Reserve Bank would raise rates by 0.25 per cent on 8 November, and that the result also posed the significant risk of a follow-up rate rise in February. The pundits have recently reflected upon three interest rate increases and the prospect of a fourth; now they are talking about the prospect of a fourth and a fifth interest rate increase since John Howard made his interest rate promise. Even if there is only a fourth increase and not a fifth, average mortgage repayments in Western Australia will jump to $14 942 a year. Think about that figure: $14 942 a year; an extra $1 300 a month, or $25 a week. That is what will come out of the family budget as a result of four interest rate increases since John Howard made his promise. This government cares about family living standards and has always kept increases in household fees and charges well below the rate of inflation. In real terms, the basket of household fees and charges has been cut by $390 over six years; electricity prices have been fixed for six years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
(1)-(3) Only the Deputy Leader of the Opposition could find doom and gloom in the wonderful economic circumstances currently being experienced in Western Australia. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the only one looking for the negative aspects of Western Australia’s economic situation. Everyone else recognises that the Western Australian economy is booming. Everyone else recognises that we are living in extremely fortunate times and that we have, as a community, increased capacity to build a wonderful economy and a wonderful society as a result of our economic circumstances. Several members interjected. The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr G. Woodhams) : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : The consumer price index in Perth rose by 1.1 per cent for the September quarter; it rose by 0.9 per cent nationally. Treasury has advised me that Perth’s inflation rate is likely to ease during 2006-07 as exceptional factors such as fuel and fruit prices either plateau or decrease. However, inflation in Perth could remain a little above the rate for the rest of the nation as long as housing price growth exceeds the national average by a significant margin. Housing was the largest contributor to growth in the Perth consumer price index for the quarter, contributing just under half of the 1.1 per cent increase. Food was the next highest contributor, accounting for 0.27 percentage points. In good news for motorists, fuel prices fell during the September quarter, reducing Perth’s CPI growth by 0.09 per cent. The real risk is what the national inflation figures will do to John Howard’s promise on interest rates. Bill Evans, the chief economist at Westpac, said today that the result meant it was almost certain that the Reserve Bank would raise rates by 0.25 per cent on 8 November, and that the result also posed the significant risk of a follow-up rate rise in February. The pundits have recently reflected upon three interest rate increases and the prospect of a fourth; now they are talking about the prospect of a fourth and a fifth interest rate increase since John Howard made his interest rate promise. Even if there is only a fourth increase and not a fifth, average mortgage repayments in Western Australia will jump to $14 942 a year. Think about that figure: $14 942 a year; an extra $1 300 a month, or $25 a week. That is what will come out of the family budget as a result of four interest rate increases since John Howard made his promise. This government cares about family living standards and has always kept increases in household fees and charges well below the rate of inflation. In real terms, the basket of household fees and charges has been cut by $390 over six years; electricity prices have been fixed for six years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
Several members interjected. The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr G. Woodhams) : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : The consumer price index in Perth rose by 1.1 per cent for the September quarter; it rose by 0.9 per cent nationally. Treasury has advised me that Perth’s inflation rate is likely to ease during 2006-07 as exceptional factors such as fuel and fruit prices either plateau or decrease. However, inflation in Perth could remain a little above the rate for the rest of the nation as long as housing price growth exceeds the national average by a significant margin. Housing was the largest contributor to growth in the Perth consumer price index for the quarter, contributing just under half of the 1.1 per cent increase. Food was the next highest contributor, accounting for 0.27 percentage points. In good news for motorists, fuel prices fell during the September quarter, reducing Perth’s CPI growth by 0.09 per cent. The real risk is what the national inflation figures will do to John Howard’s promise on interest rates. Bill Evans, the chief economist at Westpac, said today that the result meant it was almost certain that the Reserve Bank would raise rates by 0.25 per cent on 8 November, and that the result also posed the significant risk of a follow-up rate rise in February. The pundits have recently reflected upon three interest rate increases and the prospect of a fourth; now they are talking about the prospect of a fourth and a fifth interest rate increase since John Howard made his interest rate promise. Even if there is only a fourth increase and not a fifth, average mortgage repayments in Western Australia will jump to $14 942 a year. Think about that figure: $14 942 a year; an extra $1 300 a month, or $25 a week. That is what will come out of the family budget as a result of four interest rate increases since John Howard made his promise. This government cares about family living standards and has always kept increases in household fees and charges well below the rate of inflation. In real terms, the basket of household fees and charges has been cut by $390 over six years; electricity prices have been fixed for six years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr G. Woodhams) : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : The consumer price index in Perth rose by 1.1 per cent for the September quarter; it rose by 0.9 per cent nationally. Treasury has advised me that Perth’s inflation rate is likely to ease during 2006-07 as exceptional factors such as fuel and fruit prices either plateau or decrease. However, inflation in Perth could remain a little above the rate for the rest of the nation as long as housing price growth exceeds the national average by a significant margin. Housing was the largest contributor to growth in the Perth consumer price index for the quarter, contributing just under half of the 1.1 per cent increase. Food was the next highest contributor, accounting for 0.27 percentage points. In good news for motorists, fuel prices fell during the September quarter, reducing Perth’s CPI growth by 0.09 per cent. The real risk is what the national inflation figures will do to John Howard’s promise on interest rates. Bill Evans, the chief economist at Westpac, said today that the result meant it was almost certain that the Reserve Bank would raise rates by 0.25 per cent on 8 November, and that the result also posed the significant risk of a follow-up rate rise in February. The pundits have recently reflected upon three interest rate increases and the prospect of a fourth; now they are talking about the prospect of a fourth and a fifth interest rate increase since John Howard made his interest rate promise. Even if there is only a fourth increase and not a fifth, average mortgage repayments in Western Australia will jump to $14 942 a year. Think about that figure: $14 942 a year; an extra $1 300 a month, or $25 a week. That is what will come out of the family budget as a result of four interest rate increases since John Howard made his promise. This government cares about family living standards and has always kept increases in household fees and charges well below the rate of inflation. In real terms, the basket of household fees and charges has been cut by $390 over six years; electricity prices have been fixed for six years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : The consumer price index in Perth rose by 1.1 per cent for the September quarter; it rose by 0.9 per cent nationally. Treasury has advised me that Perth’s inflation rate is likely to ease during 2006-07 as exceptional factors such as fuel and fruit prices either plateau or decrease. However, inflation in Perth could remain a little above the rate for the rest of the nation as long as housing price growth exceeds the national average by a significant margin. Housing was the largest contributor to growth in the Perth consumer price index for the quarter, contributing just under half of the 1.1 per cent increase. Food was the next highest contributor, accounting for 0.27 percentage points. In good news for motorists, fuel prices fell during the September quarter, reducing Perth’s CPI growth by 0.09 per cent. The real risk is what the national inflation figures will do to John Howard’s promise on interest rates. Bill Evans, the chief economist at Westpac, said today that the result meant it was almost certain that the Reserve Bank would raise rates by 0.25 per cent on 8 November, and that the result also posed the significant risk of a follow-up rate rise in February. The pundits have recently reflected upon three interest rate increases and the prospect of a fourth; now they are talking about the prospect of a fourth and a fifth interest rate increase since John Howard made his interest rate promise. Even if there is only a fourth increase and not a fifth, average mortgage repayments in Western Australia will jump to $14 942 a year. Think about that figure: $14 942 a year; an extra $1 300 a month, or $25 a week. That is what will come out of the family budget as a result of four interest rate increases since John Howard made his promise. This government cares about family living standards and has always kept increases in household fees and charges well below the rate of inflation. In real terms, the basket of household fees and charges has been cut by $390 over six years; electricity prices have been fixed for six years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
The pundits have recently reflected upon three interest rate increases and the prospect of a fourth; now they are talking about the prospect of a fourth and a fifth interest rate increase since John Howard made his interest rate promise. Even if there is only a fourth increase and not a fifth, average mortgage repayments in Western Australia will jump to $14 942 a year. Think about that figure: $14 942 a year; an extra $1 300 a month, or $25 a week. That is what will come out of the family budget as a result of four interest rate increases since John Howard made his promise. This government cares about family living standards and has always kept increases in household fees and charges well below the rate of inflation. In real terms, the basket of household fees and charges has been cut by $390 over six years; electricity prices have been fixed for six years. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Families can access the pay to learn allowance; the liquid petroleum gas subsidy has been doubled to $1 000; compulsory motor vehicle third-party insurance premiums have been slashed by 10 per cent, saving the average motorist $25 a year on every car registered; and families are making savings from 50c public transport fares for schoolchildren. Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
Mr T. Buswell : Whoopie-doo. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Whoopie-doo, says the Deputy Leader of the Opposition! That should be noted by members of the fourth estate. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks that families do not care about 50c school bus fares. He thinks that families do not care about frozen electricity prices and a real cut of $390 in household fees and charges levied by the state government. John Howard has broken his promise, and Western Australian families are going to pay through the nose as a result. The state opposition, supine in front of its Canberra masters, does not care and will not make any criticism.
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.