❓ Mrs. Harvey asks the Premier about Infrastructure WA's plans to stimulate the economy post-COVID. The Premier responds that the focus has shifted to COVID response, but other infrastructure projects are continuing, and resources are being saved for future economic recovery.
AnsweredQoN 227Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
INFRASTRUCTURE WESTERN
AUSTRALIA — ECONOMIC REFORM
227. Mrs L.M. HARVEY to the Premier:
Can the Premier please outline to
the house the major projects that Infrastructure Western Australia is
evaluating to immediately roll out as soon as it is safe to do so to stimulate
the Western Australian economy?
AUSTRALIA — ECONOMIC REFORM
227. Mrs L.M. HARVEY to the Premier:
Can the Premier please outline to
the house the major projects that Infrastructure Western Australia is
evaluating to immediately roll out as soon as it is safe to do so to stimulate
the Western Australian economy?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader of the Opposition
for the question. The work of Infrastructure Western Australia was outlined in the second reading speech and debate on the
Infrastructure Western Australia Bill 2019. Its first role was to create a state infrastructure strategy. The intent was for it to take roughly 18
months, as I recall, to work out a long-term strategy for the state. That was
the first role, as described in the second reading speech. Obviously, the
events of the last month or so have disrupted that work. Clearly, I would
prefer Infrastructure WA and its staff to work more closely on COVID response
initiatives than rolling out a state infrastructure strategy. I can advise that
the other infrastructure work the state is doing is proceeding as best it can.
Whether it is our Metronet rail lines, roadworks, hospital work—which
is all capital works based—Water Corp work, or electricity utility
work, that needs to go on and we expect that
to continue. One thing I want to do in all this is to ensure that we have some
resources at the end so that we can rebirth and recover the economy. We
have husbanded some resources so that when the emergency period passes, we can
further stimulate and assist businesses to recover and restart. I think that is
important. I do not want to throw away all our resources now and not have
sufficient resources should we need money for health, education or, indeed,
rebirth and recovery in the months to come. I think that is a prudent and
sensible way forward.
for the question. The work of Infrastructure Western Australia was outlined in the second reading speech and debate on the
Infrastructure Western Australia Bill 2019. Its first role was to create a state infrastructure strategy. The intent was for it to take roughly 18
months, as I recall, to work out a long-term strategy for the state. That was
the first role, as described in the second reading speech. Obviously, the
events of the last month or so have disrupted that work. Clearly, I would
prefer Infrastructure WA and its staff to work more closely on COVID response
initiatives than rolling out a state infrastructure strategy. I can advise that
the other infrastructure work the state is doing is proceeding as best it can.
Whether it is our Metronet rail lines, roadworks, hospital work—which
is all capital works based—Water Corp work, or electricity utility
work, that needs to go on and we expect that
to continue. One thing I want to do in all this is to ensure that we have some
resources at the end so that we can rebirth and recover the economy. We
have husbanded some resources so that when the emergency period passes, we can
further stimulate and assist businesses to recover and restart. I think that is
important. I do not want to throw away all our resources now and not have
sufficient resources should we need money for health, education or, indeed,
rebirth and recovery in the months to come. I think that is a prudent and
sensible way forward.
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