❓ Premier Gallop affirms WA's prosperity, citing population growth, low unemployment, and affordable living costs, while acknowledging ongoing social issues and infrastructure development.
AnsweredQoN 324Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Can the Premier please inform the House of any recent data showing that Western Australia continues to be a great State in which to live? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
I am very pleased to report to the Parliament, and, through the Parliament, to the people of Western Australia - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I can hear the Leader of the Opposition’s interjections. I cannot hear the Premier. This is an opportunity to answer a question, not an opportunity for the members on my left to make comments. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Population data shows that people from interstate and overseas are choosing to live in Western Australia. Our population increased by 1.7 per cent to 1.97 million in 2003. I note that that was the fastest annual population growth recorded since the year ended 30 June 1997. Net interstate migration was positive in the first half of this financial year. Why is Western Australia attracting this interest? We know of the enormous investment interest in our State. We now know also of the enormous human interest as demonstrated by the number of people who want to live here. I can point to two reasons for that. The first is the enormous number of job opportunities that exist in Western Australia. The latest unemployment figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last week show that Western Australia’s unemployment rate decreased to five per cent in May. That is by far the lowest rate in Australia and well below the national rate of 5.5 per cent. Western Australia’s unemployment rate is at the lowest level since the data series began in 1978. Unlike the situation elsewhere in Australia, Western Australia recorded positive employment growth in May. The second reason that people want to live in Western Australia can be found in a report that came out yesterday from Mercer Human Resource Consulting Pty Ltd, which showed that Perth remains one of Australia’s cheapest capitals in which to live. The worldwide cost of living index shows that Perth is more affordable than Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Our Government has a clear policy of keeping the pressure off family budgets in Western Australia. I am very proud to say that we have achieved our objective of keeping the increase in costs in the key household budget items below the rate of inflation. In this year’s budget, we have frozen all the key household charges, most notably public transport fares, water rates and electricity tariffs. The Government in Western Australia is focused on employment generation and the cost of living, which are feeding into the reputation Perth has as one of the cheapest capitals in the world to live in. I am proud of Western Australia. I am proud of what our State is achieving. Make no mistake, issues will always come along that Governments must address, and we will be debating some of those issues today, but there is one undeniable truth: under my Government Western Australia is prospering. It has the lowest rate of unemployment since 1978 and the best environmental policies that the State has ever had, which are leading to an improved environment not just outside Perth but also inside Perth. I was proud to be with the member for Joondalup and the member for Wanneroo on the weekend to visit the new depot at Nowergup that will serve the extension of the rail into the northern suburbs to make it possible for people who live in those suburbs to have access to our wonderful metropolitan rail system. We face a range of social issues that we must address. I was very proud to be in Broome last week for the member for Kimberley and see what was happening in the Kimberley in response to the agenda that we have set as a result of the Gordon inquiry. It made me very proud of the work of my Government. Let us be proud of Western Australia. It is the greatest State in this nation. It is leading the way, with not only its economic criteria but also its cost of living and the amenity that it offers to the people who live here.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I am very pleased to report to the Parliament, and, through the Parliament, to the people of Western Australia - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I can hear the Leader of the Opposition’s interjections. I cannot hear the Premier. This is an opportunity to answer a question, not an opportunity for the members on my left to make comments. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Population data shows that people from interstate and overseas are choosing to live in Western Australia. Our population increased by 1.7 per cent to 1.97 million in 2003. I note that that was the fastest annual population growth recorded since the year ended 30 June 1997. Net interstate migration was positive in the first half of this financial year. Why is Western Australia attracting this interest? We know of the enormous investment interest in our State. We now know also of the enormous human interest as demonstrated by the number of people who want to live here. I can point to two reasons for that. The first is the enormous number of job opportunities that exist in Western Australia. The latest unemployment figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last week show that Western Australia’s unemployment rate decreased to five per cent in May. That is by far the lowest rate in Australia and well below the national rate of 5.5 per cent. Western Australia’s unemployment rate is at the lowest level since the data series began in 1978. Unlike the situation elsewhere in Australia, Western Australia recorded positive employment growth in May. The second reason that people want to live in Western Australia can be found in a report that came out yesterday from Mercer Human Resource Consulting Pty Ltd, which showed that Perth remains one of Australia’s cheapest capitals in which to live. The worldwide cost of living index shows that Perth is more affordable than Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Our Government has a clear policy of keeping the pressure off family budgets in Western Australia. I am very proud to say that we have achieved our objective of keeping the increase in costs in the key household budget items below the rate of inflation. In this year’s budget, we have frozen all the key household charges, most notably public transport fares, water rates and electricity tariffs. The Government in Western Australia is focused on employment generation and the cost of living, which are feeding into the reputation Perth has as one of the cheapest capitals in the world to live in. I am proud of Western Australia. I am proud of what our State is achieving. Make no mistake, issues will always come along that Governments must address, and we will be debating some of those issues today, but there is one undeniable truth: under my Government Western Australia is prospering. It has the lowest rate of unemployment since 1978 and the best environmental policies that the State has ever had, which are leading to an improved environment not just outside Perth but also inside Perth. I was proud to be with the member for Joondalup and the member for Wanneroo on the weekend to visit the new depot at Nowergup that will serve the extension of the rail into the northern suburbs to make it possible for people who live in those suburbs to have access to our wonderful metropolitan rail system. We face a range of social issues that we must address. I was very proud to be in Broome last week for the member for Kimberley and see what was happening in the Kimberley in response to the agenda that we have set as a result of the Gordon inquiry. It made me very proud of the work of my Government. Let us be proud of Western Australia. It is the greatest State in this nation. It is leading the way, with not only its economic criteria but also its cost of living and the amenity that it offers to the people who live here.
I am very pleased to report to the Parliament, and, through the Parliament, to the people of Western Australia - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I can hear the Leader of the Opposition’s interjections. I cannot hear the Premier. This is an opportunity to answer a question, not an opportunity for the members on my left to make comments. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Population data shows that people from interstate and overseas are choosing to live in Western Australia. Our population increased by 1.7 per cent to 1.97 million in 2003. I note that that was the fastest annual population growth recorded since the year ended 30 June 1997. Net interstate migration was positive in the first half of this financial year. Why is Western Australia attracting this interest? We know of the enormous investment interest in our State. We now know also of the enormous human interest as demonstrated by the number of people who want to live here. I can point to two reasons for that. The first is the enormous number of job opportunities that exist in Western Australia. The latest unemployment figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last week show that Western Australia’s unemployment rate decreased to five per cent in May. That is by far the lowest rate in Australia and well below the national rate of 5.5 per cent. Western Australia’s unemployment rate is at the lowest level since the data series began in 1978. Unlike the situation elsewhere in Australia, Western Australia recorded positive employment growth in May. The second reason that people want to live in Western Australia can be found in a report that came out yesterday from Mercer Human Resource Consulting Pty Ltd, which showed that Perth remains one of Australia’s cheapest capitals in which to live. The worldwide cost of living index shows that Perth is more affordable than Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Our Government has a clear policy of keeping the pressure off family budgets in Western Australia. I am very proud to say that we have achieved our objective of keeping the increase in costs in the key household budget items below the rate of inflation. In this year’s budget, we have frozen all the key household charges, most notably public transport fares, water rates and electricity tariffs. The Government in Western Australia is focused on employment generation and the cost of living, which are feeding into the reputation Perth has as one of the cheapest capitals in the world to live in. I am proud of Western Australia. I am proud of what our State is achieving. Make no mistake, issues will always come along that Governments must address, and we will be debating some of those issues today, but there is one undeniable truth: under my Government Western Australia is prospering. It has the lowest rate of unemployment since 1978 and the best environmental policies that the State has ever had, which are leading to an improved environment not just outside Perth but also inside Perth. I was proud to be with the member for Joondalup and the member for Wanneroo on the weekend to visit the new depot at Nowergup that will serve the extension of the rail into the northern suburbs to make it possible for people who live in those suburbs to have access to our wonderful metropolitan rail system. We face a range of social issues that we must address. I was very proud to be in Broome last week for the member for Kimberley and see what was happening in the Kimberley in response to the agenda that we have set as a result of the Gordon inquiry. It made me very proud of the work of my Government. Let us be proud of Western Australia. It is the greatest State in this nation. It is leading the way, with not only its economic criteria but also its cost of living and the amenity that it offers to the people who live here.
Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I can hear the Leader of the Opposition’s interjections. I cannot hear the Premier. This is an opportunity to answer a question, not an opportunity for the members on my left to make comments. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Population data shows that people from interstate and overseas are choosing to live in Western Australia. Our population increased by 1.7 per cent to 1.97 million in 2003. I note that that was the fastest annual population growth recorded since the year ended 30 June 1997. Net interstate migration was positive in the first half of this financial year. Why is Western Australia attracting this interest? We know of the enormous investment interest in our State. We now know also of the enormous human interest as demonstrated by the number of people who want to live here. I can point to two reasons for that. The first is the enormous number of job opportunities that exist in Western Australia. The latest unemployment figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last week show that Western Australia’s unemployment rate decreased to five per cent in May. That is by far the lowest rate in Australia and well below the national rate of 5.5 per cent. Western Australia’s unemployment rate is at the lowest level since the data series began in 1978. Unlike the situation elsewhere in Australia, Western Australia recorded positive employment growth in May. The second reason that people want to live in Western Australia can be found in a report that came out yesterday from Mercer Human Resource Consulting Pty Ltd, which showed that Perth remains one of Australia’s cheapest capitals in which to live. The worldwide cost of living index shows that Perth is more affordable than Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Our Government has a clear policy of keeping the pressure off family budgets in Western Australia. I am very proud to say that we have achieved our objective of keeping the increase in costs in the key household budget items below the rate of inflation. In this year’s budget, we have frozen all the key household charges, most notably public transport fares, water rates and electricity tariffs. The Government in Western Australia is focused on employment generation and the cost of living, which are feeding into the reputation Perth has as one of the cheapest capitals in the world to live in. I am proud of Western Australia. I am proud of what our State is achieving. Make no mistake, issues will always come along that Governments must address, and we will be debating some of those issues today, but there is one undeniable truth: under my Government Western Australia is prospering. It has the lowest rate of unemployment since 1978 and the best environmental policies that the State has ever had, which are leading to an improved environment not just outside Perth but also inside Perth. I was proud to be with the member for Joondalup and the member for Wanneroo on the weekend to visit the new depot at Nowergup that will serve the extension of the rail into the northern suburbs to make it possible for people who live in those suburbs to have access to our wonderful metropolitan rail system. We face a range of social issues that we must address. I was very proud to be in Broome last week for the member for Kimberley and see what was happening in the Kimberley in response to the agenda that we have set as a result of the Gordon inquiry. It made me very proud of the work of my Government. Let us be proud of Western Australia. It is the greatest State in this nation. It is leading the way, with not only its economic criteria but also its cost of living and the amenity that it offers to the people who live here.
The SPEAKER: Order! I can hear the Leader of the Opposition’s interjections. I cannot hear the Premier. This is an opportunity to answer a question, not an opportunity for the members on my left to make comments. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Population data shows that people from interstate and overseas are choosing to live in Western Australia. Our population increased by 1.7 per cent to 1.97 million in 2003. I note that that was the fastest annual population growth recorded since the year ended 30 June 1997. Net interstate migration was positive in the first half of this financial year. Why is Western Australia attracting this interest? We know of the enormous investment interest in our State. We now know also of the enormous human interest as demonstrated by the number of people who want to live here. I can point to two reasons for that. The first is the enormous number of job opportunities that exist in Western Australia. The latest unemployment figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last week show that Western Australia’s unemployment rate decreased to five per cent in May. That is by far the lowest rate in Australia and well below the national rate of 5.5 per cent. Western Australia’s unemployment rate is at the lowest level since the data series began in 1978. Unlike the situation elsewhere in Australia, Western Australia recorded positive employment growth in May. The second reason that people want to live in Western Australia can be found in a report that came out yesterday from Mercer Human Resource Consulting Pty Ltd, which showed that Perth remains one of Australia’s cheapest capitals in which to live. The worldwide cost of living index shows that Perth is more affordable than Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Our Government has a clear policy of keeping the pressure off family budgets in Western Australia. I am very proud to say that we have achieved our objective of keeping the increase in costs in the key household budget items below the rate of inflation. In this year’s budget, we have frozen all the key household charges, most notably public transport fares, water rates and electricity tariffs. The Government in Western Australia is focused on employment generation and the cost of living, which are feeding into the reputation Perth has as one of the cheapest capitals in the world to live in. I am proud of Western Australia. I am proud of what our State is achieving. Make no mistake, issues will always come along that Governments must address, and we will be debating some of those issues today, but there is one undeniable truth: under my Government Western Australia is prospering. It has the lowest rate of unemployment since 1978 and the best environmental policies that the State has ever had, which are leading to an improved environment not just outside Perth but also inside Perth. I was proud to be with the member for Joondalup and the member for Wanneroo on the weekend to visit the new depot at Nowergup that will serve the extension of the rail into the northern suburbs to make it possible for people who live in those suburbs to have access to our wonderful metropolitan rail system. We face a range of social issues that we must address. I was very proud to be in Broome last week for the member for Kimberley and see what was happening in the Kimberley in response to the agenda that we have set as a result of the Gordon inquiry. It made me very proud of the work of my Government. Let us be proud of Western Australia. It is the greatest State in this nation. It is leading the way, with not only its economic criteria but also its cost of living and the amenity that it offers to the people who live here.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: Population data shows that people from interstate and overseas are choosing to live in Western Australia. Our population increased by 1.7 per cent to 1.97 million in 2003. I note that that was the fastest annual population growth recorded since the year ended 30 June 1997. Net interstate migration was positive in the first half of this financial year. Why is Western Australia attracting this interest? We know of the enormous investment interest in our State. We now know also of the enormous human interest as demonstrated by the number of people who want to live here. I can point to two reasons for that. The first is the enormous number of job opportunities that exist in Western Australia. The latest unemployment figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last week show that Western Australia’s unemployment rate decreased to five per cent in May. That is by far the lowest rate in Australia and well below the national rate of 5.5 per cent. Western Australia’s unemployment rate is at the lowest level since the data series began in 1978. Unlike the situation elsewhere in Australia, Western Australia recorded positive employment growth in May. The second reason that people want to live in Western Australia can be found in a report that came out yesterday from Mercer Human Resource Consulting Pty Ltd, which showed that Perth remains one of Australia’s cheapest capitals in which to live. The worldwide cost of living index shows that Perth is more affordable than Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Our Government has a clear policy of keeping the pressure off family budgets in Western Australia. I am very proud to say that we have achieved our objective of keeping the increase in costs in the key household budget items below the rate of inflation. In this year’s budget, we have frozen all the key household charges, most notably public transport fares, water rates and electricity tariffs. The Government in Western Australia is focused on employment generation and the cost of living, which are feeding into the reputation Perth has as one of the cheapest capitals in the world to live in. I am proud of Western Australia. I am proud of what our State is achieving. Make no mistake, issues will always come along that Governments must address, and we will be debating some of those issues today, but there is one undeniable truth: under my Government Western Australia is prospering. It has the lowest rate of unemployment since 1978 and the best environmental policies that the State has ever had, which are leading to an improved environment not just outside Perth but also inside Perth. I was proud to be with the member for Joondalup and the member for Wanneroo on the weekend to visit the new depot at Nowergup that will serve the extension of the rail into the northern suburbs to make it possible for people who live in those suburbs to have access to our wonderful metropolitan rail system. We face a range of social issues that we must address. I was very proud to be in Broome last week for the member for Kimberley and see what was happening in the Kimberley in response to the agenda that we have set as a result of the Gordon inquiry. It made me very proud of the work of my Government. Let us be proud of Western Australia. It is the greatest State in this nation. It is leading the way, with not only its economic criteria but also its cost of living and the amenity that it offers to the people who live here.
The second reason that people want to live in Western Australia can be found in a report that came out yesterday from Mercer Human Resource Consulting Pty Ltd, which showed that Perth remains one of Australia’s cheapest capitals in which to live. The worldwide cost of living index shows that Perth is more affordable than Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Our Government has a clear policy of keeping the pressure off family budgets in Western Australia. I am very proud to say that we have achieved our objective of keeping the increase in costs in the key household budget items below the rate of inflation. In this year’s budget, we have frozen all the key household charges, most notably public transport fares, water rates and electricity tariffs. The Government in Western Australia is focused on employment generation and the cost of living, which are feeding into the reputation Perth has as one of the cheapest capitals in the world to live in. I am proud of Western Australia. I am proud of what our State is achieving. Make no mistake, issues will always come along that Governments must address, and we will be debating some of those issues today, but there is one undeniable truth: under my Government Western Australia is prospering. It has the lowest rate of unemployment since 1978 and the best environmental policies that the State has ever had, which are leading to an improved environment not just outside Perth but also inside Perth. I was proud to be with the member for Joondalup and the member for Wanneroo on the weekend to visit the new depot at Nowergup that will serve the extension of the rail into the northern suburbs to make it possible for people who live in those suburbs to have access to our wonderful metropolitan rail system. We face a range of social issues that we must address. I was very proud to be in Broome last week for the member for Kimberley and see what was happening in the Kimberley in response to the agenda that we have set as a result of the Gordon inquiry. It made me very proud of the work of my Government. Let us be proud of Western Australia. It is the greatest State in this nation. It is leading the way, with not only its economic criteria but also its cost of living and the amenity that it offers to the people who live here.
We face a range of social issues that we must address. I was very proud to be in Broome last week for the member for Kimberley and see what was happening in the Kimberley in response to the agenda that we have set as a result of the Gordon inquiry. It made me very proud of the work of my Government. Let us be proud of Western Australia. It is the greatest State in this nation. It is leading the way, with not only its economic criteria but also its cost of living and the amenity that it offers to the people who live here.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I am very pleased to report to the Parliament, and, through the Parliament, to the people of Western Australia - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I can hear the Leader of the Opposition’s interjections. I cannot hear the Premier. This is an opportunity to answer a question, not an opportunity for the members on my left to make comments. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Population data shows that people from interstate and overseas are choosing to live in Western Australia. Our population increased by 1.7 per cent to 1.97 million in 2003. I note that that was the fastest annual population growth recorded since the year ended 30 June 1997. Net interstate migration was positive in the first half of this financial year. Why is Western Australia attracting this interest? We know of the enormous investment interest in our State. We now know also of the enormous human interest as demonstrated by the number of people who want to live here. I can point to two reasons for that. The first is the enormous number of job opportunities that exist in Western Australia. The latest unemployment figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last week show that Western Australia’s unemployment rate decreased to five per cent in May. That is by far the lowest rate in Australia and well below the national rate of 5.5 per cent. Western Australia’s unemployment rate is at the lowest level since the data series began in 1978. Unlike the situation elsewhere in Australia, Western Australia recorded positive employment growth in May. The second reason that people want to live in Western Australia can be found in a report that came out yesterday from Mercer Human Resource Consulting Pty Ltd, which showed that Perth remains one of Australia’s cheapest capitals in which to live. The worldwide cost of living index shows that Perth is more affordable than Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Our Government has a clear policy of keeping the pressure off family budgets in Western Australia. I am very proud to say that we have achieved our objective of keeping the increase in costs in the key household budget items below the rate of inflation. In this year’s budget, we have frozen all the key household charges, most notably public transport fares, water rates and electricity tariffs. The Government in Western Australia is focused on employment generation and the cost of living, which are feeding into the reputation Perth has as one of the cheapest capitals in the world to live in. I am proud of Western Australia. I am proud of what our State is achieving. Make no mistake, issues will always come along that Governments must address, and we will be debating some of those issues today, but there is one undeniable truth: under my Government Western Australia is prospering. It has the lowest rate of unemployment since 1978 and the best environmental policies that the State has ever had, which are leading to an improved environment not just outside Perth but also inside Perth. I was proud to be with the member for Joondalup and the member for Wanneroo on the weekend to visit the new depot at Nowergup that will serve the extension of the rail into the northern suburbs to make it possible for people who live in those suburbs to have access to our wonderful metropolitan rail system. We face a range of social issues that we must address. I was very proud to be in Broome last week for the member for Kimberley and see what was happening in the Kimberley in response to the agenda that we have set as a result of the Gordon inquiry. It made me very proud of the work of my Government. Let us be proud of Western Australia. It is the greatest State in this nation. It is leading the way, with not only its economic criteria but also its cost of living and the amenity that it offers to the people who live here.
I am very pleased to report to the Parliament, and, through the Parliament, to the people of Western Australia - Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I can hear the Leader of the Opposition’s interjections. I cannot hear the Premier. This is an opportunity to answer a question, not an opportunity for the members on my left to make comments. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Population data shows that people from interstate and overseas are choosing to live in Western Australia. Our population increased by 1.7 per cent to 1.97 million in 2003. I note that that was the fastest annual population growth recorded since the year ended 30 June 1997. Net interstate migration was positive in the first half of this financial year. Why is Western Australia attracting this interest? We know of the enormous investment interest in our State. We now know also of the enormous human interest as demonstrated by the number of people who want to live here. I can point to two reasons for that. The first is the enormous number of job opportunities that exist in Western Australia. The latest unemployment figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last week show that Western Australia’s unemployment rate decreased to five per cent in May. That is by far the lowest rate in Australia and well below the national rate of 5.5 per cent. Western Australia’s unemployment rate is at the lowest level since the data series began in 1978. Unlike the situation elsewhere in Australia, Western Australia recorded positive employment growth in May. The second reason that people want to live in Western Australia can be found in a report that came out yesterday from Mercer Human Resource Consulting Pty Ltd, which showed that Perth remains one of Australia’s cheapest capitals in which to live. The worldwide cost of living index shows that Perth is more affordable than Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Our Government has a clear policy of keeping the pressure off family budgets in Western Australia. I am very proud to say that we have achieved our objective of keeping the increase in costs in the key household budget items below the rate of inflation. In this year’s budget, we have frozen all the key household charges, most notably public transport fares, water rates and electricity tariffs. The Government in Western Australia is focused on employment generation and the cost of living, which are feeding into the reputation Perth has as one of the cheapest capitals in the world to live in. I am proud of Western Australia. I am proud of what our State is achieving. Make no mistake, issues will always come along that Governments must address, and we will be debating some of those issues today, but there is one undeniable truth: under my Government Western Australia is prospering. It has the lowest rate of unemployment since 1978 and the best environmental policies that the State has ever had, which are leading to an improved environment not just outside Perth but also inside Perth. I was proud to be with the member for Joondalup and the member for Wanneroo on the weekend to visit the new depot at Nowergup that will serve the extension of the rail into the northern suburbs to make it possible for people who live in those suburbs to have access to our wonderful metropolitan rail system. We face a range of social issues that we must address. I was very proud to be in Broome last week for the member for Kimberley and see what was happening in the Kimberley in response to the agenda that we have set as a result of the Gordon inquiry. It made me very proud of the work of my Government. Let us be proud of Western Australia. It is the greatest State in this nation. It is leading the way, with not only its economic criteria but also its cost of living and the amenity that it offers to the people who live here.
Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I can hear the Leader of the Opposition’s interjections. I cannot hear the Premier. This is an opportunity to answer a question, not an opportunity for the members on my left to make comments. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Population data shows that people from interstate and overseas are choosing to live in Western Australia. Our population increased by 1.7 per cent to 1.97 million in 2003. I note that that was the fastest annual population growth recorded since the year ended 30 June 1997. Net interstate migration was positive in the first half of this financial year. Why is Western Australia attracting this interest? We know of the enormous investment interest in our State. We now know also of the enormous human interest as demonstrated by the number of people who want to live here. I can point to two reasons for that. The first is the enormous number of job opportunities that exist in Western Australia. The latest unemployment figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last week show that Western Australia’s unemployment rate decreased to five per cent in May. That is by far the lowest rate in Australia and well below the national rate of 5.5 per cent. Western Australia’s unemployment rate is at the lowest level since the data series began in 1978. Unlike the situation elsewhere in Australia, Western Australia recorded positive employment growth in May. The second reason that people want to live in Western Australia can be found in a report that came out yesterday from Mercer Human Resource Consulting Pty Ltd, which showed that Perth remains one of Australia’s cheapest capitals in which to live. The worldwide cost of living index shows that Perth is more affordable than Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Our Government has a clear policy of keeping the pressure off family budgets in Western Australia. I am very proud to say that we have achieved our objective of keeping the increase in costs in the key household budget items below the rate of inflation. In this year’s budget, we have frozen all the key household charges, most notably public transport fares, water rates and electricity tariffs. The Government in Western Australia is focused on employment generation and the cost of living, which are feeding into the reputation Perth has as one of the cheapest capitals in the world to live in. I am proud of Western Australia. I am proud of what our State is achieving. Make no mistake, issues will always come along that Governments must address, and we will be debating some of those issues today, but there is one undeniable truth: under my Government Western Australia is prospering. It has the lowest rate of unemployment since 1978 and the best environmental policies that the State has ever had, which are leading to an improved environment not just outside Perth but also inside Perth. I was proud to be with the member for Joondalup and the member for Wanneroo on the weekend to visit the new depot at Nowergup that will serve the extension of the rail into the northern suburbs to make it possible for people who live in those suburbs to have access to our wonderful metropolitan rail system. We face a range of social issues that we must address. I was very proud to be in Broome last week for the member for Kimberley and see what was happening in the Kimberley in response to the agenda that we have set as a result of the Gordon inquiry. It made me very proud of the work of my Government. Let us be proud of Western Australia. It is the greatest State in this nation. It is leading the way, with not only its economic criteria but also its cost of living and the amenity that it offers to the people who live here.
The SPEAKER: Order! I can hear the Leader of the Opposition’s interjections. I cannot hear the Premier. This is an opportunity to answer a question, not an opportunity for the members on my left to make comments. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Population data shows that people from interstate and overseas are choosing to live in Western Australia. Our population increased by 1.7 per cent to 1.97 million in 2003. I note that that was the fastest annual population growth recorded since the year ended 30 June 1997. Net interstate migration was positive in the first half of this financial year. Why is Western Australia attracting this interest? We know of the enormous investment interest in our State. We now know also of the enormous human interest as demonstrated by the number of people who want to live here. I can point to two reasons for that. The first is the enormous number of job opportunities that exist in Western Australia. The latest unemployment figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last week show that Western Australia’s unemployment rate decreased to five per cent in May. That is by far the lowest rate in Australia and well below the national rate of 5.5 per cent. Western Australia’s unemployment rate is at the lowest level since the data series began in 1978. Unlike the situation elsewhere in Australia, Western Australia recorded positive employment growth in May. The second reason that people want to live in Western Australia can be found in a report that came out yesterday from Mercer Human Resource Consulting Pty Ltd, which showed that Perth remains one of Australia’s cheapest capitals in which to live. The worldwide cost of living index shows that Perth is more affordable than Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Our Government has a clear policy of keeping the pressure off family budgets in Western Australia. I am very proud to say that we have achieved our objective of keeping the increase in costs in the key household budget items below the rate of inflation. In this year’s budget, we have frozen all the key household charges, most notably public transport fares, water rates and electricity tariffs. The Government in Western Australia is focused on employment generation and the cost of living, which are feeding into the reputation Perth has as one of the cheapest capitals in the world to live in. I am proud of Western Australia. I am proud of what our State is achieving. Make no mistake, issues will always come along that Governments must address, and we will be debating some of those issues today, but there is one undeniable truth: under my Government Western Australia is prospering. It has the lowest rate of unemployment since 1978 and the best environmental policies that the State has ever had, which are leading to an improved environment not just outside Perth but also inside Perth. I was proud to be with the member for Joondalup and the member for Wanneroo on the weekend to visit the new depot at Nowergup that will serve the extension of the rail into the northern suburbs to make it possible for people who live in those suburbs to have access to our wonderful metropolitan rail system. We face a range of social issues that we must address. I was very proud to be in Broome last week for the member for Kimberley and see what was happening in the Kimberley in response to the agenda that we have set as a result of the Gordon inquiry. It made me very proud of the work of my Government. Let us be proud of Western Australia. It is the greatest State in this nation. It is leading the way, with not only its economic criteria but also its cost of living and the amenity that it offers to the people who live here.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: Population data shows that people from interstate and overseas are choosing to live in Western Australia. Our population increased by 1.7 per cent to 1.97 million in 2003. I note that that was the fastest annual population growth recorded since the year ended 30 June 1997. Net interstate migration was positive in the first half of this financial year. Why is Western Australia attracting this interest? We know of the enormous investment interest in our State. We now know also of the enormous human interest as demonstrated by the number of people who want to live here. I can point to two reasons for that. The first is the enormous number of job opportunities that exist in Western Australia. The latest unemployment figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last week show that Western Australia’s unemployment rate decreased to five per cent in May. That is by far the lowest rate in Australia and well below the national rate of 5.5 per cent. Western Australia’s unemployment rate is at the lowest level since the data series began in 1978. Unlike the situation elsewhere in Australia, Western Australia recorded positive employment growth in May. The second reason that people want to live in Western Australia can be found in a report that came out yesterday from Mercer Human Resource Consulting Pty Ltd, which showed that Perth remains one of Australia’s cheapest capitals in which to live. The worldwide cost of living index shows that Perth is more affordable than Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Our Government has a clear policy of keeping the pressure off family budgets in Western Australia. I am very proud to say that we have achieved our objective of keeping the increase in costs in the key household budget items below the rate of inflation. In this year’s budget, we have frozen all the key household charges, most notably public transport fares, water rates and electricity tariffs. The Government in Western Australia is focused on employment generation and the cost of living, which are feeding into the reputation Perth has as one of the cheapest capitals in the world to live in. I am proud of Western Australia. I am proud of what our State is achieving. Make no mistake, issues will always come along that Governments must address, and we will be debating some of those issues today, but there is one undeniable truth: under my Government Western Australia is prospering. It has the lowest rate of unemployment since 1978 and the best environmental policies that the State has ever had, which are leading to an improved environment not just outside Perth but also inside Perth. I was proud to be with the member for Joondalup and the member for Wanneroo on the weekend to visit the new depot at Nowergup that will serve the extension of the rail into the northern suburbs to make it possible for people who live in those suburbs to have access to our wonderful metropolitan rail system. We face a range of social issues that we must address. I was very proud to be in Broome last week for the member for Kimberley and see what was happening in the Kimberley in response to the agenda that we have set as a result of the Gordon inquiry. It made me very proud of the work of my Government. Let us be proud of Western Australia. It is the greatest State in this nation. It is leading the way, with not only its economic criteria but also its cost of living and the amenity that it offers to the people who live here.
The second reason that people want to live in Western Australia can be found in a report that came out yesterday from Mercer Human Resource Consulting Pty Ltd, which showed that Perth remains one of Australia’s cheapest capitals in which to live. The worldwide cost of living index shows that Perth is more affordable than Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Our Government has a clear policy of keeping the pressure off family budgets in Western Australia. I am very proud to say that we have achieved our objective of keeping the increase in costs in the key household budget items below the rate of inflation. In this year’s budget, we have frozen all the key household charges, most notably public transport fares, water rates and electricity tariffs. The Government in Western Australia is focused on employment generation and the cost of living, which are feeding into the reputation Perth has as one of the cheapest capitals in the world to live in. I am proud of Western Australia. I am proud of what our State is achieving. Make no mistake, issues will always come along that Governments must address, and we will be debating some of those issues today, but there is one undeniable truth: under my Government Western Australia is prospering. It has the lowest rate of unemployment since 1978 and the best environmental policies that the State has ever had, which are leading to an improved environment not just outside Perth but also inside Perth. I was proud to be with the member for Joondalup and the member for Wanneroo on the weekend to visit the new depot at Nowergup that will serve the extension of the rail into the northern suburbs to make it possible for people who live in those suburbs to have access to our wonderful metropolitan rail system. We face a range of social issues that we must address. I was very proud to be in Broome last week for the member for Kimberley and see what was happening in the Kimberley in response to the agenda that we have set as a result of the Gordon inquiry. It made me very proud of the work of my Government. Let us be proud of Western Australia. It is the greatest State in this nation. It is leading the way, with not only its economic criteria but also its cost of living and the amenity that it offers to the people who live here.
We face a range of social issues that we must address. I was very proud to be in Broome last week for the member for Kimberley and see what was happening in the Kimberley in response to the agenda that we have set as a result of the Gordon inquiry. It made me very proud of the work of my Government. Let us be proud of Western Australia. It is the greatest State in this nation. It is leading the way, with not only its economic criteria but also its cost of living and the amenity that it offers to the people who live here.
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