❓ Question regarding the effectiveness of a $12 million fund for improving rural power reliability, given existing issues and a larger $1.8 billion investment. The Minister avoids guaranteeing specific improvements due to the nature of the technology and external factors.
AnsweredQoN 307Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to his assurance in the budget estimates on 19 May that $12 million would make a very significant difference to Western Power customers affected by safety and reliability problems. Given that the residents in some parts of the State have experienced more than four interruptions to their power supply, which have lasted longer than the 60-minute benchmark prescribed by the Energy Safety Directorate, will the minister guarantee that the $12 million fund to address rural issues will indeed lead to a 25 per cent improvement in reliability, a 30 per cent reduction in pole-top fires and a reduction in the duration of outages, as stated on page 84 of the 2004-05 Economic and Fiscal Outlook ? Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the deputy Deputy Leader of the Opposition for his question. I understand from your advice earlier today, Mr Speaker, that the real Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the member for Mitchell. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Apparently that is what the pay clerk understands as well. The real Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the member for Mitchell. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are pathetic. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The deputy Deputy Leader of the Opposition referred to the statements in budget paper No 3 regarding the objectives of the $1.8 billion that the Government and Western Power will spend on the electricity network over the next four years. The objectives stated in budget paper No 3 are to improve the reliability of services, reduce the number of pole-top fires and reduce the frequency and duration of outages. However, no guarantees can be given when dealing with any system of technology, particularly when that system of technology is vulnerable to events such as storms, fires and so on. I take the issue of the reliability of the electricity system very seriously. Last year we experienced unreliability of the system similar to the poor circumstances that existed in the late 1990s. I want that unreliability fixed, which is why as the Treasurer and the Minister for Energy, together with my colleagues, I have approved an amount of almost $400 million to be invested on the networks, taking the total expenditure to $1.8 billion. The Leader of the National Party - to give him a title that I am sure applies at least temporarily - keeps focusing on the $12 million fund. The $12 million fund is for just those areas in which there is a social need but not necessarily a commercial justification for the investment. The big investment is the $1.8 billion that will be spent on the network over the next four years.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I thank the deputy Deputy Leader of the Opposition for his question. I understand from your advice earlier today, Mr Speaker, that the real Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the member for Mitchell. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Apparently that is what the pay clerk understands as well. The real Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the member for Mitchell. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are pathetic. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The deputy Deputy Leader of the Opposition referred to the statements in budget paper No 3 regarding the objectives of the $1.8 billion that the Government and Western Power will spend on the electricity network over the next four years. The objectives stated in budget paper No 3 are to improve the reliability of services, reduce the number of pole-top fires and reduce the frequency and duration of outages. However, no guarantees can be given when dealing with any system of technology, particularly when that system of technology is vulnerable to events such as storms, fires and so on. I take the issue of the reliability of the electricity system very seriously. Last year we experienced unreliability of the system similar to the poor circumstances that existed in the late 1990s. I want that unreliability fixed, which is why as the Treasurer and the Minister for Energy, together with my colleagues, I have approved an amount of almost $400 million to be invested on the networks, taking the total expenditure to $1.8 billion. The Leader of the National Party - to give him a title that I am sure applies at least temporarily - keeps focusing on the $12 million fund. The $12 million fund is for just those areas in which there is a social need but not necessarily a commercial justification for the investment. The big investment is the $1.8 billion that will be spent on the network over the next four years.
I thank the deputy Deputy Leader of the Opposition for his question. I understand from your advice earlier today, Mr Speaker, that the real Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the member for Mitchell. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Apparently that is what the pay clerk understands as well. The real Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the member for Mitchell. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are pathetic. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The deputy Deputy Leader of the Opposition referred to the statements in budget paper No 3 regarding the objectives of the $1.8 billion that the Government and Western Power will spend on the electricity network over the next four years. The objectives stated in budget paper No 3 are to improve the reliability of services, reduce the number of pole-top fires and reduce the frequency and duration of outages. However, no guarantees can be given when dealing with any system of technology, particularly when that system of technology is vulnerable to events such as storms, fires and so on. I take the issue of the reliability of the electricity system very seriously. Last year we experienced unreliability of the system similar to the poor circumstances that existed in the late 1990s. I want that unreliability fixed, which is why as the Treasurer and the Minister for Energy, together with my colleagues, I have approved an amount of almost $400 million to be invested on the networks, taking the total expenditure to $1.8 billion. The Leader of the National Party - to give him a title that I am sure applies at least temporarily - keeps focusing on the $12 million fund. The $12 million fund is for just those areas in which there is a social need but not necessarily a commercial justification for the investment. The big investment is the $1.8 billion that will be spent on the network over the next four years.
Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Apparently that is what the pay clerk understands as well. The real Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the member for Mitchell. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are pathetic. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The deputy Deputy Leader of the Opposition referred to the statements in budget paper No 3 regarding the objectives of the $1.8 billion that the Government and Western Power will spend on the electricity network over the next four years. The objectives stated in budget paper No 3 are to improve the reliability of services, reduce the number of pole-top fires and reduce the frequency and duration of outages. However, no guarantees can be given when dealing with any system of technology, particularly when that system of technology is vulnerable to events such as storms, fires and so on. I take the issue of the reliability of the electricity system very seriously. Last year we experienced unreliability of the system similar to the poor circumstances that existed in the late 1990s. I want that unreliability fixed, which is why as the Treasurer and the Minister for Energy, together with my colleagues, I have approved an amount of almost $400 million to be invested on the networks, taking the total expenditure to $1.8 billion. The Leader of the National Party - to give him a title that I am sure applies at least temporarily - keeps focusing on the $12 million fund. The $12 million fund is for just those areas in which there is a social need but not necessarily a commercial justification for the investment. The big investment is the $1.8 billion that will be spent on the network over the next four years.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: Apparently that is what the pay clerk understands as well. The real Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the member for Mitchell. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are pathetic. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The deputy Deputy Leader of the Opposition referred to the statements in budget paper No 3 regarding the objectives of the $1.8 billion that the Government and Western Power will spend on the electricity network over the next four years. The objectives stated in budget paper No 3 are to improve the reliability of services, reduce the number of pole-top fires and reduce the frequency and duration of outages. However, no guarantees can be given when dealing with any system of technology, particularly when that system of technology is vulnerable to events such as storms, fires and so on. I take the issue of the reliability of the electricity system very seriously. Last year we experienced unreliability of the system similar to the poor circumstances that existed in the late 1990s. I want that unreliability fixed, which is why as the Treasurer and the Minister for Energy, together with my colleagues, I have approved an amount of almost $400 million to be invested on the networks, taking the total expenditure to $1.8 billion. The Leader of the National Party - to give him a title that I am sure applies at least temporarily - keeps focusing on the $12 million fund. The $12 million fund is for just those areas in which there is a social need but not necessarily a commercial justification for the investment. The big investment is the $1.8 billion that will be spent on the network over the next four years.
Mr C.J. Barnett: You are pathetic. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The deputy Deputy Leader of the Opposition referred to the statements in budget paper No 3 regarding the objectives of the $1.8 billion that the Government and Western Power will spend on the electricity network over the next four years. The objectives stated in budget paper No 3 are to improve the reliability of services, reduce the number of pole-top fires and reduce the frequency and duration of outages. However, no guarantees can be given when dealing with any system of technology, particularly when that system of technology is vulnerable to events such as storms, fires and so on. I take the issue of the reliability of the electricity system very seriously. Last year we experienced unreliability of the system similar to the poor circumstances that existed in the late 1990s. I want that unreliability fixed, which is why as the Treasurer and the Minister for Energy, together with my colleagues, I have approved an amount of almost $400 million to be invested on the networks, taking the total expenditure to $1.8 billion. The Leader of the National Party - to give him a title that I am sure applies at least temporarily - keeps focusing on the $12 million fund. The $12 million fund is for just those areas in which there is a social need but not necessarily a commercial justification for the investment. The big investment is the $1.8 billion that will be spent on the network over the next four years.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: The deputy Deputy Leader of the Opposition referred to the statements in budget paper No 3 regarding the objectives of the $1.8 billion that the Government and Western Power will spend on the electricity network over the next four years. The objectives stated in budget paper No 3 are to improve the reliability of services, reduce the number of pole-top fires and reduce the frequency and duration of outages. However, no guarantees can be given when dealing with any system of technology, particularly when that system of technology is vulnerable to events such as storms, fires and so on. I take the issue of the reliability of the electricity system very seriously. Last year we experienced unreliability of the system similar to the poor circumstances that existed in the late 1990s. I want that unreliability fixed, which is why as the Treasurer and the Minister for Energy, together with my colleagues, I have approved an amount of almost $400 million to be invested on the networks, taking the total expenditure to $1.8 billion. The Leader of the National Party - to give him a title that I am sure applies at least temporarily - keeps focusing on the $12 million fund. The $12 million fund is for just those areas in which there is a social need but not necessarily a commercial justification for the investment. The big investment is the $1.8 billion that will be spent on the network over the next four years.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I thank the deputy Deputy Leader of the Opposition for his question. I understand from your advice earlier today, Mr Speaker, that the real Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the member for Mitchell. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Apparently that is what the pay clerk understands as well. The real Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the member for Mitchell. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are pathetic. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The deputy Deputy Leader of the Opposition referred to the statements in budget paper No 3 regarding the objectives of the $1.8 billion that the Government and Western Power will spend on the electricity network over the next four years. The objectives stated in budget paper No 3 are to improve the reliability of services, reduce the number of pole-top fires and reduce the frequency and duration of outages. However, no guarantees can be given when dealing with any system of technology, particularly when that system of technology is vulnerable to events such as storms, fires and so on. I take the issue of the reliability of the electricity system very seriously. Last year we experienced unreliability of the system similar to the poor circumstances that existed in the late 1990s. I want that unreliability fixed, which is why as the Treasurer and the Minister for Energy, together with my colleagues, I have approved an amount of almost $400 million to be invested on the networks, taking the total expenditure to $1.8 billion. The Leader of the National Party - to give him a title that I am sure applies at least temporarily - keeps focusing on the $12 million fund. The $12 million fund is for just those areas in which there is a social need but not necessarily a commercial justification for the investment. The big investment is the $1.8 billion that will be spent on the network over the next four years.
I thank the deputy Deputy Leader of the Opposition for his question. I understand from your advice earlier today, Mr Speaker, that the real Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the member for Mitchell. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Apparently that is what the pay clerk understands as well. The real Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the member for Mitchell. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are pathetic. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The deputy Deputy Leader of the Opposition referred to the statements in budget paper No 3 regarding the objectives of the $1.8 billion that the Government and Western Power will spend on the electricity network over the next four years. The objectives stated in budget paper No 3 are to improve the reliability of services, reduce the number of pole-top fires and reduce the frequency and duration of outages. However, no guarantees can be given when dealing with any system of technology, particularly when that system of technology is vulnerable to events such as storms, fires and so on. I take the issue of the reliability of the electricity system very seriously. Last year we experienced unreliability of the system similar to the poor circumstances that existed in the late 1990s. I want that unreliability fixed, which is why as the Treasurer and the Minister for Energy, together with my colleagues, I have approved an amount of almost $400 million to be invested on the networks, taking the total expenditure to $1.8 billion. The Leader of the National Party - to give him a title that I am sure applies at least temporarily - keeps focusing on the $12 million fund. The $12 million fund is for just those areas in which there is a social need but not necessarily a commercial justification for the investment. The big investment is the $1.8 billion that will be spent on the network over the next four years.
Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Apparently that is what the pay clerk understands as well. The real Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the member for Mitchell. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are pathetic. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The deputy Deputy Leader of the Opposition referred to the statements in budget paper No 3 regarding the objectives of the $1.8 billion that the Government and Western Power will spend on the electricity network over the next four years. The objectives stated in budget paper No 3 are to improve the reliability of services, reduce the number of pole-top fires and reduce the frequency and duration of outages. However, no guarantees can be given when dealing with any system of technology, particularly when that system of technology is vulnerable to events such as storms, fires and so on. I take the issue of the reliability of the electricity system very seriously. Last year we experienced unreliability of the system similar to the poor circumstances that existed in the late 1990s. I want that unreliability fixed, which is why as the Treasurer and the Minister for Energy, together with my colleagues, I have approved an amount of almost $400 million to be invested on the networks, taking the total expenditure to $1.8 billion. The Leader of the National Party - to give him a title that I am sure applies at least temporarily - keeps focusing on the $12 million fund. The $12 million fund is for just those areas in which there is a social need but not necessarily a commercial justification for the investment. The big investment is the $1.8 billion that will be spent on the network over the next four years.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: Apparently that is what the pay clerk understands as well. The real Deputy Leader of the Opposition is the member for Mitchell. Mr C.J. Barnett: You are pathetic. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The deputy Deputy Leader of the Opposition referred to the statements in budget paper No 3 regarding the objectives of the $1.8 billion that the Government and Western Power will spend on the electricity network over the next four years. The objectives stated in budget paper No 3 are to improve the reliability of services, reduce the number of pole-top fires and reduce the frequency and duration of outages. However, no guarantees can be given when dealing with any system of technology, particularly when that system of technology is vulnerable to events such as storms, fires and so on. I take the issue of the reliability of the electricity system very seriously. Last year we experienced unreliability of the system similar to the poor circumstances that existed in the late 1990s. I want that unreliability fixed, which is why as the Treasurer and the Minister for Energy, together with my colleagues, I have approved an amount of almost $400 million to be invested on the networks, taking the total expenditure to $1.8 billion. The Leader of the National Party - to give him a title that I am sure applies at least temporarily - keeps focusing on the $12 million fund. The $12 million fund is for just those areas in which there is a social need but not necessarily a commercial justification for the investment. The big investment is the $1.8 billion that will be spent on the network over the next four years.
Mr C.J. Barnett: You are pathetic. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The deputy Deputy Leader of the Opposition referred to the statements in budget paper No 3 regarding the objectives of the $1.8 billion that the Government and Western Power will spend on the electricity network over the next four years. The objectives stated in budget paper No 3 are to improve the reliability of services, reduce the number of pole-top fires and reduce the frequency and duration of outages. However, no guarantees can be given when dealing with any system of technology, particularly when that system of technology is vulnerable to events such as storms, fires and so on. I take the issue of the reliability of the electricity system very seriously. Last year we experienced unreliability of the system similar to the poor circumstances that existed in the late 1990s. I want that unreliability fixed, which is why as the Treasurer and the Minister for Energy, together with my colleagues, I have approved an amount of almost $400 million to be invested on the networks, taking the total expenditure to $1.8 billion. The Leader of the National Party - to give him a title that I am sure applies at least temporarily - keeps focusing on the $12 million fund. The $12 million fund is for just those areas in which there is a social need but not necessarily a commercial justification for the investment. The big investment is the $1.8 billion that will be spent on the network over the next four years.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: The deputy Deputy Leader of the Opposition referred to the statements in budget paper No 3 regarding the objectives of the $1.8 billion that the Government and Western Power will spend on the electricity network over the next four years. The objectives stated in budget paper No 3 are to improve the reliability of services, reduce the number of pole-top fires and reduce the frequency and duration of outages. However, no guarantees can be given when dealing with any system of technology, particularly when that system of technology is vulnerable to events such as storms, fires and so on. I take the issue of the reliability of the electricity system very seriously. Last year we experienced unreliability of the system similar to the poor circumstances that existed in the late 1990s. I want that unreliability fixed, which is why as the Treasurer and the Minister for Energy, together with my colleagues, I have approved an amount of almost $400 million to be invested on the networks, taking the total expenditure to $1.8 billion. The Leader of the National Party - to give him a title that I am sure applies at least temporarily - keeps focusing on the $12 million fund. The $12 million fund is for just those areas in which there is a social need but not necessarily a commercial justification for the investment. The big investment is the $1.8 billion that will be spent on the network over the next four years.
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.