❓ Opposition questions the McGowan government's economic performance, citing a change in rhetoric. The Premier defends the government's financial management, highlighting debt reduction and job creation, while criticising the previous Liberal-National government's record.
AnsweredQoN 824Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MCGOWAN GOVERNMENT —
PERFORMANCE
824. Mrs L.M. HARVEY to the Premier:
I note the government's
recent change in rhetoric, and specifically announcements about stimulating the
economy. Is this a clear admission that the McGowan Labor government has failed
to deliver on jobs and the economy and that it has hurt Western Australians in
the areas of cost of living and house prices?
Mr D.J. Kelly : Another
dorothy dixer.
PERFORMANCE
824. Mrs L.M. HARVEY to the Premier:
I note the government's
recent change in rhetoric, and specifically announcements about stimulating the
economy. Is this a clear admission that the McGowan Labor government has failed
to deliver on jobs and the economy and that it has hurt Western Australians in
the areas of cost of living and house prices?
Mr D.J. Kelly : Another
dorothy dixer.
AnswerView source ↗
Yes, another open-ended question.
Thank you very, very much. Clearly, this government is known for its good
financial and economic management in Western Australia. It is well accepted
across the state. I might also point out that the Western Australian government
is the only state or territory government that is driving down debt. Every
other state or territory government in Australia is driving up debt. The
Liberal government in New South Wales sold off its electricity utilities, as
members opposite want to do, and is driving debt through the roof. That is what
is happening in New South Wales under a Liberal government. The Liberal
government in South Australia is driving up debt. The Liberal government in
Tasmania is driving up debt. Every government in Australia is driving up debt,
except for this government. Our good financial management is noted across the
board. We have had credit rating upgrades, whereas the Liberal Party lost
credit ratings when it was in office. The most recent Standard and Poor's
credit rating has indicated that the strong fiscal resolve of this government
is bearing fruit. We have good financial management in Western Australia.
When it comes to economic
management, in the two and a half years since we have been in office, 56 000
new jobs—that is the population of Kalgoorlie and Geraldton combined—have
been created in Western Australia under this government. In the Liberal–National
government's last term—four years—it lost about 30 000
jobs. The former government drove up debt to a level unimaginable in Western Australia.
It had annual deficits of up to $5 billion. It drove debt from $3 billion to
more than $40 billion across the forward estimates. That is what the former
government did. Then the Leader of the Opposition has the temerity to come in
here and ask me these questions! Members opposite should be hanging their heads
in shame for their economic and financial management when they were in
government.
Good financial management has its
rewards. In the last few days, we have been able to announce two important projects. One is a school maintenance project in
schools across Western Australia. Every single public school in the state will receive some support for important
maintenance and refurbishment. That means electrical, roofing and toilet upgrades, and improvements to playing surfaces, administration blocks and the
like across Western Australia. On top of that, about 80 hospitals and health
sites are going to receive around $81 million of support for important
maintenance, in particular in regional Western Australia, which is getting
around half of that allocation. Good financial management has its rewards. This
government is ensuring that we run the finances and the economy right so we can
invest in important things like schools and hospitals.
Thank you very, very much. Clearly, this government is known for its good
financial and economic management in Western Australia. It is well accepted
across the state. I might also point out that the Western Australian government
is the only state or territory government that is driving down debt. Every
other state or territory government in Australia is driving up debt. The
Liberal government in New South Wales sold off its electricity utilities, as
members opposite want to do, and is driving debt through the roof. That is what
is happening in New South Wales under a Liberal government. The Liberal
government in South Australia is driving up debt. The Liberal government in
Tasmania is driving up debt. Every government in Australia is driving up debt,
except for this government. Our good financial management is noted across the
board. We have had credit rating upgrades, whereas the Liberal Party lost
credit ratings when it was in office. The most recent Standard and Poor's
credit rating has indicated that the strong fiscal resolve of this government
is bearing fruit. We have good financial management in Western Australia.
When it comes to economic
management, in the two and a half years since we have been in office, 56 000
new jobs—that is the population of Kalgoorlie and Geraldton combined—have
been created in Western Australia under this government. In the Liberal–National
government's last term—four years—it lost about 30 000
jobs. The former government drove up debt to a level unimaginable in Western Australia.
It had annual deficits of up to $5 billion. It drove debt from $3 billion to
more than $40 billion across the forward estimates. That is what the former
government did. Then the Leader of the Opposition has the temerity to come in
here and ask me these questions! Members opposite should be hanging their heads
in shame for their economic and financial management when they were in
government.
Good financial management has its
rewards. In the last few days, we have been able to announce two important projects. One is a school maintenance project in
schools across Western Australia. Every single public school in the state will receive some support for important
maintenance and refurbishment. That means electrical, roofing and toilet upgrades, and improvements to playing surfaces, administration blocks and the
like across Western Australia. On top of that, about 80 hospitals and health
sites are going to receive around $81 million of support for important
maintenance, in particular in regional Western Australia, which is getting
around half of that allocation. Good financial management has its rewards. This
government is ensuring that we run the finances and the economy right so we can
invest in important things like schools and hospitals.
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