❓ Barnett questions Gallop about the Energy Minister's responsibility for a power shortage, while Gallop defends the Minister, deflects blame, and accuses the opposition of hypocrisy and obstructionism.
AnsweredQoN 1Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the Premier to his media statement of 19 February, detailing his “six-point plan” to avoid a repeat of the unprecedented power shortage that occurred on black Wednesday, which states - Dr Gallop said a new leadership team was needed to ensure Western Power was customer-focussed and accountable. . . . “Without strong and coherent leadership, none of the other measures can be effective.” I ask - (1) Will the Premier admit that his Minister for Energy exhibited anything but “strong and coherent leadership” in his handling of the events leading up to and during that energy crisis? (2) Can the Premier explain why the change in leadership has extended only to the Managing Director and the Chairman of Western Power and not to the person ultimately responsible for this debacle - the Minister for Energy? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) Of course the minister accepts his responsibilities for these matters. That is why the Government is taking action on Western Power. I will mention two interesting things about the Leader of the Opposition’s question. First is the hypocrisy of it, given the response he took in 1994 when there were major blackouts throughout Western Australia and he was the Minister for Energy. Secondly, the operational management of Western Power is clearly a function for the board and the management on a day-to-day basis. As parliamentarians - some of whom set up an Act of Parliament that created Western Power - we must ensure that Western Power is well managed. That is why we took the action we did over this matter. The Minister for Energy accepts his responsibilities. He has answered all the questions that have been asked of him on this issue. He has been very willing to answer all those questions. Along with other members of the Government, he has taken action to see that practices in Western Power are changed in the future. Another feature of this Minister for Energy that is very important and contrasts him very much with the previous Minister for Energy is his genuine commitment to the reform of the electricity system. A problem with Western Power is the degree of arrogance it displays in its position in the Western Australian economy. Western Power is a vertically integrated company and has enormous power in the community. That arrogance has led to people making mistakes. The Government has a reform agenda to make Western Power more sensitive, accountable and flexible. Interestingly, the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues oppose those much-needed reforms. I support the Minister for Energy and the efforts he is taking to make sure that Western Power delivers on the responsibilities it has been given. I support him discharging his duties properly to deal with those matters. I conclude by expressing my disappointment that the Opposition cannot rise above the normal political debates that occur and do something for the good of the people of Western Australia. Do members know what the Leader of the Opposition is like? He is like a back-seat driver. He has all the arrogance of a back-seat driver. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Kalgoorlie and Warren-Blackwood.
Dr Gallop said a new leadership team was needed to ensure Western Power was customer-focussed and accountable. . . . “Without strong and coherent leadership, none of the other measures can be effective.” I ask - (1) Will the Premier admit that his Minister for Energy exhibited anything but “strong and coherent leadership” in his handling of the events leading up to and during that energy crisis? (2) Can the Premier explain why the change in leadership has extended only to the Managing Director and the Chairman of Western Power and not to the person ultimately responsible for this debacle - the Minister for Energy? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) Of course the minister accepts his responsibilities for these matters. That is why the Government is taking action on Western Power. I will mention two interesting things about the Leader of the Opposition’s question. First is the hypocrisy of it, given the response he took in 1994 when there were major blackouts throughout Western Australia and he was the Minister for Energy. Secondly, the operational management of Western Power is clearly a function for the board and the management on a day-to-day basis. As parliamentarians - some of whom set up an Act of Parliament that created Western Power - we must ensure that Western Power is well managed. That is why we took the action we did over this matter. The Minister for Energy accepts his responsibilities. He has answered all the questions that have been asked of him on this issue. He has been very willing to answer all those questions. Along with other members of the Government, he has taken action to see that practices in Western Power are changed in the future. Another feature of this Minister for Energy that is very important and contrasts him very much with the previous Minister for Energy is his genuine commitment to the reform of the electricity system. A problem with Western Power is the degree of arrogance it displays in its position in the Western Australian economy. Western Power is a vertically integrated company and has enormous power in the community. That arrogance has led to people making mistakes. The Government has a reform agenda to make Western Power more sensitive, accountable and flexible. Interestingly, the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues oppose those much-needed reforms. I support the Minister for Energy and the efforts he is taking to make sure that Western Power delivers on the responsibilities it has been given. I support him discharging his duties properly to deal with those matters. I conclude by expressing my disappointment that the Opposition cannot rise above the normal political debates that occur and do something for the good of the people of Western Australia. Do members know what the Leader of the Opposition is like? He is like a back-seat driver. He has all the arrogance of a back-seat driver. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Kalgoorlie and Warren-Blackwood.
“Without strong and coherent leadership, none of the other measures can be effective.” I ask - (1) Will the Premier admit that his Minister for Energy exhibited anything but “strong and coherent leadership” in his handling of the events leading up to and during that energy crisis? (2) Can the Premier explain why the change in leadership has extended only to the Managing Director and the Chairman of Western Power and not to the person ultimately responsible for this debacle - the Minister for Energy? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) Of course the minister accepts his responsibilities for these matters. That is why the Government is taking action on Western Power. I will mention two interesting things about the Leader of the Opposition’s question. First is the hypocrisy of it, given the response he took in 1994 when there were major blackouts throughout Western Australia and he was the Minister for Energy. Secondly, the operational management of Western Power is clearly a function for the board and the management on a day-to-day basis. As parliamentarians - some of whom set up an Act of Parliament that created Western Power - we must ensure that Western Power is well managed. That is why we took the action we did over this matter. The Minister for Energy accepts his responsibilities. He has answered all the questions that have been asked of him on this issue. He has been very willing to answer all those questions. Along with other members of the Government, he has taken action to see that practices in Western Power are changed in the future. Another feature of this Minister for Energy that is very important and contrasts him very much with the previous Minister for Energy is his genuine commitment to the reform of the electricity system. A problem with Western Power is the degree of arrogance it displays in its position in the Western Australian economy. Western Power is a vertically integrated company and has enormous power in the community. That arrogance has led to people making mistakes. The Government has a reform agenda to make Western Power more sensitive, accountable and flexible. Interestingly, the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues oppose those much-needed reforms. I support the Minister for Energy and the efforts he is taking to make sure that Western Power delivers on the responsibilities it has been given. I support him discharging his duties properly to deal with those matters. I conclude by expressing my disappointment that the Opposition cannot rise above the normal political debates that occur and do something for the good of the people of Western Australia. Do members know what the Leader of the Opposition is like? He is like a back-seat driver. He has all the arrogance of a back-seat driver. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Kalgoorlie and Warren-Blackwood.
I ask - (1) Will the Premier admit that his Minister for Energy exhibited anything but “strong and coherent leadership” in his handling of the events leading up to and during that energy crisis? (2) Can the Premier explain why the change in leadership has extended only to the Managing Director and the Chairman of Western Power and not to the person ultimately responsible for this debacle - the Minister for Energy? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) Of course the minister accepts his responsibilities for these matters. That is why the Government is taking action on Western Power. I will mention two interesting things about the Leader of the Opposition’s question. First is the hypocrisy of it, given the response he took in 1994 when there were major blackouts throughout Western Australia and he was the Minister for Energy. Secondly, the operational management of Western Power is clearly a function for the board and the management on a day-to-day basis. As parliamentarians - some of whom set up an Act of Parliament that created Western Power - we must ensure that Western Power is well managed. That is why we took the action we did over this matter. The Minister for Energy accepts his responsibilities. He has answered all the questions that have been asked of him on this issue. He has been very willing to answer all those questions. Along with other members of the Government, he has taken action to see that practices in Western Power are changed in the future. Another feature of this Minister for Energy that is very important and contrasts him very much with the previous Minister for Energy is his genuine commitment to the reform of the electricity system. A problem with Western Power is the degree of arrogance it displays in its position in the Western Australian economy. Western Power is a vertically integrated company and has enormous power in the community. That arrogance has led to people making mistakes. The Government has a reform agenda to make Western Power more sensitive, accountable and flexible. Interestingly, the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues oppose those much-needed reforms. I support the Minister for Energy and the efforts he is taking to make sure that Western Power delivers on the responsibilities it has been given. I support him discharging his duties properly to deal with those matters. I conclude by expressing my disappointment that the Opposition cannot rise above the normal political debates that occur and do something for the good of the people of Western Australia. Do members know what the Leader of the Opposition is like? He is like a back-seat driver. He has all the arrogance of a back-seat driver. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Kalgoorlie and Warren-Blackwood.
(1) Will the Premier admit that his Minister for Energy exhibited anything but “strong and coherent leadership” in his handling of the events leading up to and during that energy crisis? (2) Can the Premier explain why the change in leadership has extended only to the Managing Director and the Chairman of Western Power and not to the person ultimately responsible for this debacle - the Minister for Energy? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) Of course the minister accepts his responsibilities for these matters. That is why the Government is taking action on Western Power. I will mention two interesting things about the Leader of the Opposition’s question. First is the hypocrisy of it, given the response he took in 1994 when there were major blackouts throughout Western Australia and he was the Minister for Energy. Secondly, the operational management of Western Power is clearly a function for the board and the management on a day-to-day basis. As parliamentarians - some of whom set up an Act of Parliament that created Western Power - we must ensure that Western Power is well managed. That is why we took the action we did over this matter. The Minister for Energy accepts his responsibilities. He has answered all the questions that have been asked of him on this issue. He has been very willing to answer all those questions. Along with other members of the Government, he has taken action to see that practices in Western Power are changed in the future. Another feature of this Minister for Energy that is very important and contrasts him very much with the previous Minister for Energy is his genuine commitment to the reform of the electricity system. A problem with Western Power is the degree of arrogance it displays in its position in the Western Australian economy. Western Power is a vertically integrated company and has enormous power in the community. That arrogance has led to people making mistakes. The Government has a reform agenda to make Western Power more sensitive, accountable and flexible. Interestingly, the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues oppose those much-needed reforms. I support the Minister for Energy and the efforts he is taking to make sure that Western Power delivers on the responsibilities it has been given. I support him discharging his duties properly to deal with those matters. I conclude by expressing my disappointment that the Opposition cannot rise above the normal political debates that occur and do something for the good of the people of Western Australia. Do members know what the Leader of the Opposition is like? He is like a back-seat driver. He has all the arrogance of a back-seat driver. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Kalgoorlie and Warren-Blackwood.
(2) Can the Premier explain why the change in leadership has extended only to the Managing Director and the Chairman of Western Power and not to the person ultimately responsible for this debacle - the Minister for Energy? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) Of course the minister accepts his responsibilities for these matters. That is why the Government is taking action on Western Power. I will mention two interesting things about the Leader of the Opposition’s question. First is the hypocrisy of it, given the response he took in 1994 when there were major blackouts throughout Western Australia and he was the Minister for Energy. Secondly, the operational management of Western Power is clearly a function for the board and the management on a day-to-day basis. As parliamentarians - some of whom set up an Act of Parliament that created Western Power - we must ensure that Western Power is well managed. That is why we took the action we did over this matter. The Minister for Energy accepts his responsibilities. He has answered all the questions that have been asked of him on this issue. He has been very willing to answer all those questions. Along with other members of the Government, he has taken action to see that practices in Western Power are changed in the future. Another feature of this Minister for Energy that is very important and contrasts him very much with the previous Minister for Energy is his genuine commitment to the reform of the electricity system. A problem with Western Power is the degree of arrogance it displays in its position in the Western Australian economy. Western Power is a vertically integrated company and has enormous power in the community. That arrogance has led to people making mistakes. The Government has a reform agenda to make Western Power more sensitive, accountable and flexible. Interestingly, the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues oppose those much-needed reforms. I support the Minister for Energy and the efforts he is taking to make sure that Western Power delivers on the responsibilities it has been given. I support him discharging his duties properly to deal with those matters. I conclude by expressing my disappointment that the Opposition cannot rise above the normal political debates that occur and do something for the good of the people of Western Australia. Do members know what the Leader of the Opposition is like? He is like a back-seat driver. He has all the arrogance of a back-seat driver. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Kalgoorlie and Warren-Blackwood.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) Of course the minister accepts his responsibilities for these matters. That is why the Government is taking action on Western Power. I will mention two interesting things about the Leader of the Opposition’s question. First is the hypocrisy of it, given the response he took in 1994 when there were major blackouts throughout Western Australia and he was the Minister for Energy. Secondly, the operational management of Western Power is clearly a function for the board and the management on a day-to-day basis. As parliamentarians - some of whom set up an Act of Parliament that created Western Power - we must ensure that Western Power is well managed. That is why we took the action we did over this matter. The Minister for Energy accepts his responsibilities. He has answered all the questions that have been asked of him on this issue. He has been very willing to answer all those questions. Along with other members of the Government, he has taken action to see that practices in Western Power are changed in the future. Another feature of this Minister for Energy that is very important and contrasts him very much with the previous Minister for Energy is his genuine commitment to the reform of the electricity system. A problem with Western Power is the degree of arrogance it displays in its position in the Western Australian economy. Western Power is a vertically integrated company and has enormous power in the community. That arrogance has led to people making mistakes. The Government has a reform agenda to make Western Power more sensitive, accountable and flexible. Interestingly, the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues oppose those much-needed reforms. I support the Minister for Energy and the efforts he is taking to make sure that Western Power delivers on the responsibilities it has been given. I support him discharging his duties properly to deal with those matters. I conclude by expressing my disappointment that the Opposition cannot rise above the normal political debates that occur and do something for the good of the people of Western Australia. Do members know what the Leader of the Opposition is like? He is like a back-seat driver. He has all the arrogance of a back-seat driver. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Kalgoorlie and Warren-Blackwood.
(1)-(2) Of course the minister accepts his responsibilities for these matters. That is why the Government is taking action on Western Power. I will mention two interesting things about the Leader of the Opposition’s question. First is the hypocrisy of it, given the response he took in 1994 when there were major blackouts throughout Western Australia and he was the Minister for Energy. Secondly, the operational management of Western Power is clearly a function for the board and the management on a day-to-day basis. As parliamentarians - some of whom set up an Act of Parliament that created Western Power - we must ensure that Western Power is well managed. That is why we took the action we did over this matter. The Minister for Energy accepts his responsibilities. He has answered all the questions that have been asked of him on this issue. He has been very willing to answer all those questions. Along with other members of the Government, he has taken action to see that practices in Western Power are changed in the future. Another feature of this Minister for Energy that is very important and contrasts him very much with the previous Minister for Energy is his genuine commitment to the reform of the electricity system. A problem with Western Power is the degree of arrogance it displays in its position in the Western Australian economy. Western Power is a vertically integrated company and has enormous power in the community. That arrogance has led to people making mistakes. The Government has a reform agenda to make Western Power more sensitive, accountable and flexible. Interestingly, the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues oppose those much-needed reforms. I support the Minister for Energy and the efforts he is taking to make sure that Western Power delivers on the responsibilities it has been given. I support him discharging his duties properly to deal with those matters. I conclude by expressing my disappointment that the Opposition cannot rise above the normal political debates that occur and do something for the good of the people of Western Australia. Do members know what the Leader of the Opposition is like? He is like a back-seat driver. He has all the arrogance of a back-seat driver. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Kalgoorlie and Warren-Blackwood.
I will mention two interesting things about the Leader of the Opposition’s question. First is the hypocrisy of it, given the response he took in 1994 when there were major blackouts throughout Western Australia and he was the Minister for Energy. Secondly, the operational management of Western Power is clearly a function for the board and the management on a day-to-day basis. As parliamentarians - some of whom set up an Act of Parliament that created Western Power - we must ensure that Western Power is well managed. That is why we took the action we did over this matter. The Minister for Energy accepts his responsibilities. He has answered all the questions that have been asked of him on this issue. He has been very willing to answer all those questions. Along with other members of the Government, he has taken action to see that practices in Western Power are changed in the future. Another feature of this Minister for Energy that is very important and contrasts him very much with the previous Minister for Energy is his genuine commitment to the reform of the electricity system. A problem with Western Power is the degree of arrogance it displays in its position in the Western Australian economy. Western Power is a vertically integrated company and has enormous power in the community. That arrogance has led to people making mistakes. The Government has a reform agenda to make Western Power more sensitive, accountable and flexible. Interestingly, the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues oppose those much-needed reforms. I support the Minister for Energy and the efforts he is taking to make sure that Western Power delivers on the responsibilities it has been given. I support him discharging his duties properly to deal with those matters. I conclude by expressing my disappointment that the Opposition cannot rise above the normal political debates that occur and do something for the good of the people of Western Australia. Do members know what the Leader of the Opposition is like? He is like a back-seat driver. He has all the arrogance of a back-seat driver. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Kalgoorlie and Warren-Blackwood.
I conclude by expressing my disappointment that the Opposition cannot rise above the normal political debates that occur and do something for the good of the people of Western Australia. Do members know what the Leader of the Opposition is like? He is like a back-seat driver. He has all the arrogance of a back-seat driver.
The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Kalgoorlie and Warren-Blackwood.
Dr Gallop said a new leadership team was needed to ensure Western Power was customer-focussed and accountable. . . . “Without strong and coherent leadership, none of the other measures can be effective.” I ask - (1) Will the Premier admit that his Minister for Energy exhibited anything but “strong and coherent leadership” in his handling of the events leading up to and during that energy crisis? (2) Can the Premier explain why the change in leadership has extended only to the Managing Director and the Chairman of Western Power and not to the person ultimately responsible for this debacle - the Minister for Energy? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) Of course the minister accepts his responsibilities for these matters. That is why the Government is taking action on Western Power. I will mention two interesting things about the Leader of the Opposition’s question. First is the hypocrisy of it, given the response he took in 1994 when there were major blackouts throughout Western Australia and he was the Minister for Energy. Secondly, the operational management of Western Power is clearly a function for the board and the management on a day-to-day basis. As parliamentarians - some of whom set up an Act of Parliament that created Western Power - we must ensure that Western Power is well managed. That is why we took the action we did over this matter. The Minister for Energy accepts his responsibilities. He has answered all the questions that have been asked of him on this issue. He has been very willing to answer all those questions. Along with other members of the Government, he has taken action to see that practices in Western Power are changed in the future. Another feature of this Minister for Energy that is very important and contrasts him very much with the previous Minister for Energy is his genuine commitment to the reform of the electricity system. A problem with Western Power is the degree of arrogance it displays in its position in the Western Australian economy. Western Power is a vertically integrated company and has enormous power in the community. That arrogance has led to people making mistakes. The Government has a reform agenda to make Western Power more sensitive, accountable and flexible. Interestingly, the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues oppose those much-needed reforms. I support the Minister for Energy and the efforts he is taking to make sure that Western Power delivers on the responsibilities it has been given. I support him discharging his duties properly to deal with those matters. I conclude by expressing my disappointment that the Opposition cannot rise above the normal political debates that occur and do something for the good of the people of Western Australia. Do members know what the Leader of the Opposition is like? He is like a back-seat driver. He has all the arrogance of a back-seat driver. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Kalgoorlie and Warren-Blackwood.
“Without strong and coherent leadership, none of the other measures can be effective.” I ask - (1) Will the Premier admit that his Minister for Energy exhibited anything but “strong and coherent leadership” in his handling of the events leading up to and during that energy crisis? (2) Can the Premier explain why the change in leadership has extended only to the Managing Director and the Chairman of Western Power and not to the person ultimately responsible for this debacle - the Minister for Energy? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) Of course the minister accepts his responsibilities for these matters. That is why the Government is taking action on Western Power. I will mention two interesting things about the Leader of the Opposition’s question. First is the hypocrisy of it, given the response he took in 1994 when there were major blackouts throughout Western Australia and he was the Minister for Energy. Secondly, the operational management of Western Power is clearly a function for the board and the management on a day-to-day basis. As parliamentarians - some of whom set up an Act of Parliament that created Western Power - we must ensure that Western Power is well managed. That is why we took the action we did over this matter. The Minister for Energy accepts his responsibilities. He has answered all the questions that have been asked of him on this issue. He has been very willing to answer all those questions. Along with other members of the Government, he has taken action to see that practices in Western Power are changed in the future. Another feature of this Minister for Energy that is very important and contrasts him very much with the previous Minister for Energy is his genuine commitment to the reform of the electricity system. A problem with Western Power is the degree of arrogance it displays in its position in the Western Australian economy. Western Power is a vertically integrated company and has enormous power in the community. That arrogance has led to people making mistakes. The Government has a reform agenda to make Western Power more sensitive, accountable and flexible. Interestingly, the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues oppose those much-needed reforms. I support the Minister for Energy and the efforts he is taking to make sure that Western Power delivers on the responsibilities it has been given. I support him discharging his duties properly to deal with those matters. I conclude by expressing my disappointment that the Opposition cannot rise above the normal political debates that occur and do something for the good of the people of Western Australia. Do members know what the Leader of the Opposition is like? He is like a back-seat driver. He has all the arrogance of a back-seat driver. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Kalgoorlie and Warren-Blackwood.
I ask - (1) Will the Premier admit that his Minister for Energy exhibited anything but “strong and coherent leadership” in his handling of the events leading up to and during that energy crisis? (2) Can the Premier explain why the change in leadership has extended only to the Managing Director and the Chairman of Western Power and not to the person ultimately responsible for this debacle - the Minister for Energy? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) Of course the minister accepts his responsibilities for these matters. That is why the Government is taking action on Western Power. I will mention two interesting things about the Leader of the Opposition’s question. First is the hypocrisy of it, given the response he took in 1994 when there were major blackouts throughout Western Australia and he was the Minister for Energy. Secondly, the operational management of Western Power is clearly a function for the board and the management on a day-to-day basis. As parliamentarians - some of whom set up an Act of Parliament that created Western Power - we must ensure that Western Power is well managed. That is why we took the action we did over this matter. The Minister for Energy accepts his responsibilities. He has answered all the questions that have been asked of him on this issue. He has been very willing to answer all those questions. Along with other members of the Government, he has taken action to see that practices in Western Power are changed in the future. Another feature of this Minister for Energy that is very important and contrasts him very much with the previous Minister for Energy is his genuine commitment to the reform of the electricity system. A problem with Western Power is the degree of arrogance it displays in its position in the Western Australian economy. Western Power is a vertically integrated company and has enormous power in the community. That arrogance has led to people making mistakes. The Government has a reform agenda to make Western Power more sensitive, accountable and flexible. Interestingly, the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues oppose those much-needed reforms. I support the Minister for Energy and the efforts he is taking to make sure that Western Power delivers on the responsibilities it has been given. I support him discharging his duties properly to deal with those matters. I conclude by expressing my disappointment that the Opposition cannot rise above the normal political debates that occur and do something for the good of the people of Western Australia. Do members know what the Leader of the Opposition is like? He is like a back-seat driver. He has all the arrogance of a back-seat driver. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Kalgoorlie and Warren-Blackwood.
(1) Will the Premier admit that his Minister for Energy exhibited anything but “strong and coherent leadership” in his handling of the events leading up to and during that energy crisis? (2) Can the Premier explain why the change in leadership has extended only to the Managing Director and the Chairman of Western Power and not to the person ultimately responsible for this debacle - the Minister for Energy? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) Of course the minister accepts his responsibilities for these matters. That is why the Government is taking action on Western Power. I will mention two interesting things about the Leader of the Opposition’s question. First is the hypocrisy of it, given the response he took in 1994 when there were major blackouts throughout Western Australia and he was the Minister for Energy. Secondly, the operational management of Western Power is clearly a function for the board and the management on a day-to-day basis. As parliamentarians - some of whom set up an Act of Parliament that created Western Power - we must ensure that Western Power is well managed. That is why we took the action we did over this matter. The Minister for Energy accepts his responsibilities. He has answered all the questions that have been asked of him on this issue. He has been very willing to answer all those questions. Along with other members of the Government, he has taken action to see that practices in Western Power are changed in the future. Another feature of this Minister for Energy that is very important and contrasts him very much with the previous Minister for Energy is his genuine commitment to the reform of the electricity system. A problem with Western Power is the degree of arrogance it displays in its position in the Western Australian economy. Western Power is a vertically integrated company and has enormous power in the community. That arrogance has led to people making mistakes. The Government has a reform agenda to make Western Power more sensitive, accountable and flexible. Interestingly, the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues oppose those much-needed reforms. I support the Minister for Energy and the efforts he is taking to make sure that Western Power delivers on the responsibilities it has been given. I support him discharging his duties properly to deal with those matters. I conclude by expressing my disappointment that the Opposition cannot rise above the normal political debates that occur and do something for the good of the people of Western Australia. Do members know what the Leader of the Opposition is like? He is like a back-seat driver. He has all the arrogance of a back-seat driver. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Kalgoorlie and Warren-Blackwood.
(2) Can the Premier explain why the change in leadership has extended only to the Managing Director and the Chairman of Western Power and not to the person ultimately responsible for this debacle - the Minister for Energy? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) Of course the minister accepts his responsibilities for these matters. That is why the Government is taking action on Western Power. I will mention two interesting things about the Leader of the Opposition’s question. First is the hypocrisy of it, given the response he took in 1994 when there were major blackouts throughout Western Australia and he was the Minister for Energy. Secondly, the operational management of Western Power is clearly a function for the board and the management on a day-to-day basis. As parliamentarians - some of whom set up an Act of Parliament that created Western Power - we must ensure that Western Power is well managed. That is why we took the action we did over this matter. The Minister for Energy accepts his responsibilities. He has answered all the questions that have been asked of him on this issue. He has been very willing to answer all those questions. Along with other members of the Government, he has taken action to see that practices in Western Power are changed in the future. Another feature of this Minister for Energy that is very important and contrasts him very much with the previous Minister for Energy is his genuine commitment to the reform of the electricity system. A problem with Western Power is the degree of arrogance it displays in its position in the Western Australian economy. Western Power is a vertically integrated company and has enormous power in the community. That arrogance has led to people making mistakes. The Government has a reform agenda to make Western Power more sensitive, accountable and flexible. Interestingly, the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues oppose those much-needed reforms. I support the Minister for Energy and the efforts he is taking to make sure that Western Power delivers on the responsibilities it has been given. I support him discharging his duties properly to deal with those matters. I conclude by expressing my disappointment that the Opposition cannot rise above the normal political debates that occur and do something for the good of the people of Western Australia. Do members know what the Leader of the Opposition is like? He is like a back-seat driver. He has all the arrogance of a back-seat driver. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Kalgoorlie and Warren-Blackwood.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) Of course the minister accepts his responsibilities for these matters. That is why the Government is taking action on Western Power. I will mention two interesting things about the Leader of the Opposition’s question. First is the hypocrisy of it, given the response he took in 1994 when there were major blackouts throughout Western Australia and he was the Minister for Energy. Secondly, the operational management of Western Power is clearly a function for the board and the management on a day-to-day basis. As parliamentarians - some of whom set up an Act of Parliament that created Western Power - we must ensure that Western Power is well managed. That is why we took the action we did over this matter. The Minister for Energy accepts his responsibilities. He has answered all the questions that have been asked of him on this issue. He has been very willing to answer all those questions. Along with other members of the Government, he has taken action to see that practices in Western Power are changed in the future. Another feature of this Minister for Energy that is very important and contrasts him very much with the previous Minister for Energy is his genuine commitment to the reform of the electricity system. A problem with Western Power is the degree of arrogance it displays in its position in the Western Australian economy. Western Power is a vertically integrated company and has enormous power in the community. That arrogance has led to people making mistakes. The Government has a reform agenda to make Western Power more sensitive, accountable and flexible. Interestingly, the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues oppose those much-needed reforms. I support the Minister for Energy and the efforts he is taking to make sure that Western Power delivers on the responsibilities it has been given. I support him discharging his duties properly to deal with those matters. I conclude by expressing my disappointment that the Opposition cannot rise above the normal political debates that occur and do something for the good of the people of Western Australia. Do members know what the Leader of the Opposition is like? He is like a back-seat driver. He has all the arrogance of a back-seat driver. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Kalgoorlie and Warren-Blackwood.
(1)-(2) Of course the minister accepts his responsibilities for these matters. That is why the Government is taking action on Western Power. I will mention two interesting things about the Leader of the Opposition’s question. First is the hypocrisy of it, given the response he took in 1994 when there were major blackouts throughout Western Australia and he was the Minister for Energy. Secondly, the operational management of Western Power is clearly a function for the board and the management on a day-to-day basis. As parliamentarians - some of whom set up an Act of Parliament that created Western Power - we must ensure that Western Power is well managed. That is why we took the action we did over this matter. The Minister for Energy accepts his responsibilities. He has answered all the questions that have been asked of him on this issue. He has been very willing to answer all those questions. Along with other members of the Government, he has taken action to see that practices in Western Power are changed in the future. Another feature of this Minister for Energy that is very important and contrasts him very much with the previous Minister for Energy is his genuine commitment to the reform of the electricity system. A problem with Western Power is the degree of arrogance it displays in its position in the Western Australian economy. Western Power is a vertically integrated company and has enormous power in the community. That arrogance has led to people making mistakes. The Government has a reform agenda to make Western Power more sensitive, accountable and flexible. Interestingly, the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues oppose those much-needed reforms. I support the Minister for Energy and the efforts he is taking to make sure that Western Power delivers on the responsibilities it has been given. I support him discharging his duties properly to deal with those matters. I conclude by expressing my disappointment that the Opposition cannot rise above the normal political debates that occur and do something for the good of the people of Western Australia. Do members know what the Leader of the Opposition is like? He is like a back-seat driver. He has all the arrogance of a back-seat driver. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Kalgoorlie and Warren-Blackwood.
I will mention two interesting things about the Leader of the Opposition’s question. First is the hypocrisy of it, given the response he took in 1994 when there were major blackouts throughout Western Australia and he was the Minister for Energy. Secondly, the operational management of Western Power is clearly a function for the board and the management on a day-to-day basis. As parliamentarians - some of whom set up an Act of Parliament that created Western Power - we must ensure that Western Power is well managed. That is why we took the action we did over this matter. The Minister for Energy accepts his responsibilities. He has answered all the questions that have been asked of him on this issue. He has been very willing to answer all those questions. Along with other members of the Government, he has taken action to see that practices in Western Power are changed in the future. Another feature of this Minister for Energy that is very important and contrasts him very much with the previous Minister for Energy is his genuine commitment to the reform of the electricity system. A problem with Western Power is the degree of arrogance it displays in its position in the Western Australian economy. Western Power is a vertically integrated company and has enormous power in the community. That arrogance has led to people making mistakes. The Government has a reform agenda to make Western Power more sensitive, accountable and flexible. Interestingly, the Leader of the Opposition and his colleagues oppose those much-needed reforms. I support the Minister for Energy and the efforts he is taking to make sure that Western Power delivers on the responsibilities it has been given. I support him discharging his duties properly to deal with those matters. I conclude by expressing my disappointment that the Opposition cannot rise above the normal political debates that occur and do something for the good of the people of Western Australia. Do members know what the Leader of the Opposition is like? He is like a back-seat driver. He has all the arrogance of a back-seat driver. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Kalgoorlie and Warren-Blackwood.
I conclude by expressing my disappointment that the Opposition cannot rise above the normal political debates that occur and do something for the good of the people of Western Australia. Do members know what the Leader of the Opposition is like? He is like a back-seat driver. He has all the arrogance of a back-seat driver.
The SPEAKER: I call to order the members for Kalgoorlie and Warren-Blackwood.
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