❓ Opposition Leader questions the Premier regarding the Auditor General's report criticizing the management and financial sustainability of projects funded by the Royalties for Regions program. The Premier defends the program's impact and decision-making process.
AnsweredQoN 505Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ROYALTIES FOR REGIONS — AUDITOR GENERAL'S
REPORT
505. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
Prior to asking my question, I
acknowledge that the member for Belmont has made the most sensible point for
the government today in question time.
I refer to the Auditor General's
report released today, which provides criticism of the way in which the
royalties for regions program has been managed since its inception in 2009 and
the government's blase attitude towards —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Wanneroo and member for Willagee, I call
you to order for the first time.
Mr M. McGOWAN : I will start again, Mr Speaker.
I refer to the Auditor General's
report released today, which provides criticism of the way in which the
royalties for regions program has been managed since its inception in 2009 and
the government's blase attitude towards the state's finances.
(1) Why were
projects allowed to proceed without acceptable business cases or the provision
of ongoing funding?
(2) Why did
projects in 2012–13 worth in excess of $700 million not have to
demonstrate any long-term sustainability for their approval?
REPORT
505. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
Prior to asking my question, I
acknowledge that the member for Belmont has made the most sensible point for
the government today in question time.
I refer to the Auditor General's
report released today, which provides criticism of the way in which the
royalties for regions program has been managed since its inception in 2009 and
the government's blase attitude towards —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Wanneroo and member for Willagee, I call
you to order for the first time.
Mr M. McGOWAN : I will start again, Mr Speaker.
I refer to the Auditor General's
report released today, which provides criticism of the way in which the
royalties for regions program has been managed since its inception in 2009 and
the government's blase attitude towards the state's finances.
(1) Why were
projects allowed to proceed without acceptable business cases or the provision
of ongoing funding?
(2) Why did
projects in 2012–13 worth in excess of $700 million not have to
demonstrate any long-term sustainability for their approval?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) Every
dollar of expenditure under royalties for regions is a decision of the cabinet—one
by one; every single decision. If the Leader of the Opposition wants to ask
about a specific program, either I or the Minister for Lands —
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the
third time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The royalties for regions program—we all
know its origins—has had a profound impact on regional Western
Australia throughout the state. From Kununurra to Esperance, we can see the
signs of royalties for regions. It is an outstanding program and no other state
or commonwealth government in Australian history has had such a dramatic and
direct effect on regional communities as that program has. I give due credit to
the National Party that introduced it, and I take pride in being the Premier
who introduced it.
dollar of expenditure under royalties for regions is a decision of the cabinet—one
by one; every single decision. If the Leader of the Opposition wants to ask
about a specific program, either I or the Minister for Lands —
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I call you to order for the
third time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The royalties for regions program—we all
know its origins—has had a profound impact on regional Western
Australia throughout the state. From Kununurra to Esperance, we can see the
signs of royalties for regions. It is an outstanding program and no other state
or commonwealth government in Australian history has had such a dramatic and
direct effect on regional communities as that program has. I give due credit to
the National Party that introduced it, and I take pride in being the Premier
who introduced it.
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