❓ Treasurer responds to question about retail trading hours, criticising the Opposition Leader's stance on deregulation and highlighting perceived inconsistencies in his economic policy positions and past performance.
AnsweredQoN 882Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Government’s decision to retain the status quo in retail trading hours until a month after the next state election, and the move towards the partial freeing up of shopping hours in the next term of government. I ask the Treasurer for his comments about the implications for competition in this State as a result of this Government’s policy. Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
The Government’s decision on retail trading hours attempts to balance competing interests. It has not gone as far as some people might have wanted, but the Government’s decision will see an extension in shopping hours on weeknights, which represents an increase in overall hours of about 20 per cent. That is clearly a step forward towards meeting our national competition obligations. This agreement between the Commonwealth and all State and Territory Governments was entered into, on behalf of the State of Western Australia, by former Premier Hon Richard Court. Presumably, Mr Court had the blessing of his Cabinet, of which the Leader of the Opposition was a member. The leader of the party of free enterprise has adopted the most extraordinary position; that is, a position of no deregulation whatsoever. That position dishonours the competition agreement to which the coalition Government bound Western Australia. Given the position of the Liberal Party, I was surprised when I picked up a copy of the latest Chamber of Minerals and Energy’s “Bedrock of the Economy” report. I was surprised because it had a foreword by the Leader of the Opposition. I read it with interest. The Leader of the Opposition’s foreword reads - Government policy should not favour one particular project over another, but rather create an environment that allows the entire industry to flourish. Sound fiscal management, ongoing microeconomic reform, provision of infrastructure, a well-educated workforce and promotion of competition should be the hallmarks of good government policy. Promotion of competition - does that sound like someone who favours absolutely no extension of shopping hours? What about the comment about the Government not favouring one project over another? Is Windimurra man the one who can utter such remarks? What about the Leader of the Opposition’s sinking millions of dollars into the sand in support of the Kingstream project? He refers to not promoting one project over another; he has failed again, I say! What about sound fiscal management? Can the Leader of the Opposition really say those words when he blew the education budget by $100 million when Minister for Education? Can he say those words with any credibility when he was part of a Cabinet that delivered five deficits out of eight budgets and nearly lost our AAA credit rating? What about his exhortation about the need for microeconomic reform? He opposes the reform of the State’s electricity market against the wishes of almost every businessperson I can locate in Perth. He opposes the Government’s microeconomic reform of the State’s business tax system - the most comprehensive reform in more than 20 years. The Leader of the Opposition in his “Bedrock of the Economy” comment also referred to the provision of infrastructure. Is this not the same man who criticised this Government’s record $3.5 billion capital works program? Is it not the same man who complained about government borrowings for infrastructure to support growth and jobs in our economy? The Leader of the Opposition’s foreword also mentioned the need for a well-educated work force. Is he not the minister who presided over a collapse in school retention rates and a decline in apprentice and trainee numbers? I say harsh things about the Leader of the Opposition, but for just once I will say something nice about him. I will be careful. I think it is true. Once upon a time, the Leader of the Opposition was regarded as a man of principle. Once upon a time, he was regarded as a man who put policy above politics. The Leader of the Opposition is now a sad shadow of the person who once had that reputation. He is a craven figure who will say anything to anyone in order to advance the political position of his party; he has no principle and no policy. Everything is up for sale. The SPEAKER: I remind members of a statement I made a couple of weeks ago about not referring to members by names other than their position or seat name. I call the Treasurer to order for the first time for breaching that order, and I call the member for Vasse to order for his earlier outburst.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: The Government’s decision on retail trading hours attempts to balance competing interests. It has not gone as far as some people might have wanted, but the Government’s decision will see an extension in shopping hours on weeknights, which represents an increase in overall hours of about 20 per cent. That is clearly a step forward towards meeting our national competition obligations. This agreement between the Commonwealth and all State and Territory Governments was entered into, on behalf of the State of Western Australia, by former Premier Hon Richard Court. Presumably, Mr Court had the blessing of his Cabinet, of which the Leader of the Opposition was a member. The leader of the party of free enterprise has adopted the most extraordinary position; that is, a position of no deregulation whatsoever. That position dishonours the competition agreement to which the coalition Government bound Western Australia. Given the position of the Liberal Party, I was surprised when I picked up a copy of the latest Chamber of Minerals and Energy’s “Bedrock of the Economy” report. I was surprised because it had a foreword by the Leader of the Opposition. I read it with interest. The Leader of the Opposition’s foreword reads - Government policy should not favour one particular project over another, but rather create an environment that allows the entire industry to flourish. Sound fiscal management, ongoing microeconomic reform, provision of infrastructure, a well-educated workforce and promotion of competition should be the hallmarks of good government policy. Promotion of competition - does that sound like someone who favours absolutely no extension of shopping hours? What about the comment about the Government not favouring one project over another? Is Windimurra man the one who can utter such remarks? What about the Leader of the Opposition’s sinking millions of dollars into the sand in support of the Kingstream project? He refers to not promoting one project over another; he has failed again, I say! What about sound fiscal management? Can the Leader of the Opposition really say those words when he blew the education budget by $100 million when Minister for Education? Can he say those words with any credibility when he was part of a Cabinet that delivered five deficits out of eight budgets and nearly lost our AAA credit rating? What about his exhortation about the need for microeconomic reform? He opposes the reform of the State’s electricity market against the wishes of almost every businessperson I can locate in Perth. He opposes the Government’s microeconomic reform of the State’s business tax system - the most comprehensive reform in more than 20 years. The Leader of the Opposition in his “Bedrock of the Economy” comment also referred to the provision of infrastructure. Is this not the same man who criticised this Government’s record $3.5 billion capital works program? Is it not the same man who complained about government borrowings for infrastructure to support growth and jobs in our economy? The Leader of the Opposition’s foreword also mentioned the need for a well-educated work force. Is he not the minister who presided over a collapse in school retention rates and a decline in apprentice and trainee numbers? I say harsh things about the Leader of the Opposition, but for just once I will say something nice about him. I will be careful. I think it is true. Once upon a time, the Leader of the Opposition was regarded as a man of principle. Once upon a time, he was regarded as a man who put policy above politics. The Leader of the Opposition is now a sad shadow of the person who once had that reputation. He is a craven figure who will say anything to anyone in order to advance the political position of his party; he has no principle and no policy. Everything is up for sale. The SPEAKER: I remind members of a statement I made a couple of weeks ago about not referring to members by names other than their position or seat name. I call the Treasurer to order for the first time for breaching that order, and I call the member for Vasse to order for his earlier outburst.
The Government’s decision on retail trading hours attempts to balance competing interests. It has not gone as far as some people might have wanted, but the Government’s decision will see an extension in shopping hours on weeknights, which represents an increase in overall hours of about 20 per cent. That is clearly a step forward towards meeting our national competition obligations. This agreement between the Commonwealth and all State and Territory Governments was entered into, on behalf of the State of Western Australia, by former Premier Hon Richard Court. Presumably, Mr Court had the blessing of his Cabinet, of which the Leader of the Opposition was a member. The leader of the party of free enterprise has adopted the most extraordinary position; that is, a position of no deregulation whatsoever. That position dishonours the competition agreement to which the coalition Government bound Western Australia. Given the position of the Liberal Party, I was surprised when I picked up a copy of the latest Chamber of Minerals and Energy’s “Bedrock of the Economy” report. I was surprised because it had a foreword by the Leader of the Opposition. I read it with interest. The Leader of the Opposition’s foreword reads - Government policy should not favour one particular project over another, but rather create an environment that allows the entire industry to flourish. Sound fiscal management, ongoing microeconomic reform, provision of infrastructure, a well-educated workforce and promotion of competition should be the hallmarks of good government policy. Promotion of competition - does that sound like someone who favours absolutely no extension of shopping hours? What about the comment about the Government not favouring one project over another? Is Windimurra man the one who can utter such remarks? What about the Leader of the Opposition’s sinking millions of dollars into the sand in support of the Kingstream project? He refers to not promoting one project over another; he has failed again, I say! What about sound fiscal management? Can the Leader of the Opposition really say those words when he blew the education budget by $100 million when Minister for Education? Can he say those words with any credibility when he was part of a Cabinet that delivered five deficits out of eight budgets and nearly lost our AAA credit rating? What about his exhortation about the need for microeconomic reform? He opposes the reform of the State’s electricity market against the wishes of almost every businessperson I can locate in Perth. He opposes the Government’s microeconomic reform of the State’s business tax system - the most comprehensive reform in more than 20 years. The Leader of the Opposition in his “Bedrock of the Economy” comment also referred to the provision of infrastructure. Is this not the same man who criticised this Government’s record $3.5 billion capital works program? Is it not the same man who complained about government borrowings for infrastructure to support growth and jobs in our economy? The Leader of the Opposition’s foreword also mentioned the need for a well-educated work force. Is he not the minister who presided over a collapse in school retention rates and a decline in apprentice and trainee numbers? I say harsh things about the Leader of the Opposition, but for just once I will say something nice about him. I will be careful. I think it is true. Once upon a time, the Leader of the Opposition was regarded as a man of principle. Once upon a time, he was regarded as a man who put policy above politics. The Leader of the Opposition is now a sad shadow of the person who once had that reputation. He is a craven figure who will say anything to anyone in order to advance the political position of his party; he has no principle and no policy. Everything is up for sale. The SPEAKER: I remind members of a statement I made a couple of weeks ago about not referring to members by names other than their position or seat name. I call the Treasurer to order for the first time for breaching that order, and I call the member for Vasse to order for his earlier outburst.
Given the position of the Liberal Party, I was surprised when I picked up a copy of the latest Chamber of Minerals and Energy’s “Bedrock of the Economy” report. I was surprised because it had a foreword by the Leader of the Opposition. I read it with interest. The Leader of the Opposition’s foreword reads - Government policy should not favour one particular project over another, but rather create an environment that allows the entire industry to flourish. Sound fiscal management, ongoing microeconomic reform, provision of infrastructure, a well-educated workforce and promotion of competition should be the hallmarks of good government policy. Promotion of competition - does that sound like someone who favours absolutely no extension of shopping hours? What about the comment about the Government not favouring one project over another? Is Windimurra man the one who can utter such remarks? What about the Leader of the Opposition’s sinking millions of dollars into the sand in support of the Kingstream project? He refers to not promoting one project over another; he has failed again, I say! What about sound fiscal management? Can the Leader of the Opposition really say those words when he blew the education budget by $100 million when Minister for Education? Can he say those words with any credibility when he was part of a Cabinet that delivered five deficits out of eight budgets and nearly lost our AAA credit rating? What about his exhortation about the need for microeconomic reform? He opposes the reform of the State’s electricity market against the wishes of almost every businessperson I can locate in Perth. He opposes the Government’s microeconomic reform of the State’s business tax system - the most comprehensive reform in more than 20 years. The Leader of the Opposition in his “Bedrock of the Economy” comment also referred to the provision of infrastructure. Is this not the same man who criticised this Government’s record $3.5 billion capital works program? Is it not the same man who complained about government borrowings for infrastructure to support growth and jobs in our economy? The Leader of the Opposition’s foreword also mentioned the need for a well-educated work force. Is he not the minister who presided over a collapse in school retention rates and a decline in apprentice and trainee numbers? I say harsh things about the Leader of the Opposition, but for just once I will say something nice about him. I will be careful. I think it is true. Once upon a time, the Leader of the Opposition was regarded as a man of principle. Once upon a time, he was regarded as a man who put policy above politics. The Leader of the Opposition is now a sad shadow of the person who once had that reputation. He is a craven figure who will say anything to anyone in order to advance the political position of his party; he has no principle and no policy. Everything is up for sale. The SPEAKER: I remind members of a statement I made a couple of weeks ago about not referring to members by names other than their position or seat name. I call the Treasurer to order for the first time for breaching that order, and I call the member for Vasse to order for his earlier outburst.
Government policy should not favour one particular project over another, but rather create an environment that allows the entire industry to flourish. Sound fiscal management, ongoing microeconomic reform, provision of infrastructure, a well-educated workforce and promotion of competition should be the hallmarks of good government policy. Promotion of competition - does that sound like someone who favours absolutely no extension of shopping hours? What about the comment about the Government not favouring one project over another? Is Windimurra man the one who can utter such remarks? What about the Leader of the Opposition’s sinking millions of dollars into the sand in support of the Kingstream project? He refers to not promoting one project over another; he has failed again, I say! What about sound fiscal management? Can the Leader of the Opposition really say those words when he blew the education budget by $100 million when Minister for Education? Can he say those words with any credibility when he was part of a Cabinet that delivered five deficits out of eight budgets and nearly lost our AAA credit rating? What about his exhortation about the need for microeconomic reform? He opposes the reform of the State’s electricity market against the wishes of almost every businessperson I can locate in Perth. He opposes the Government’s microeconomic reform of the State’s business tax system - the most comprehensive reform in more than 20 years. The Leader of the Opposition in his “Bedrock of the Economy” comment also referred to the provision of infrastructure. Is this not the same man who criticised this Government’s record $3.5 billion capital works program? Is it not the same man who complained about government borrowings for infrastructure to support growth and jobs in our economy? The Leader of the Opposition’s foreword also mentioned the need for a well-educated work force. Is he not the minister who presided over a collapse in school retention rates and a decline in apprentice and trainee numbers? I say harsh things about the Leader of the Opposition, but for just once I will say something nice about him. I will be careful. I think it is true. Once upon a time, the Leader of the Opposition was regarded as a man of principle. Once upon a time, he was regarded as a man who put policy above politics. The Leader of the Opposition is now a sad shadow of the person who once had that reputation. He is a craven figure who will say anything to anyone in order to advance the political position of his party; he has no principle and no policy. Everything is up for sale. The SPEAKER: I remind members of a statement I made a couple of weeks ago about not referring to members by names other than their position or seat name. I call the Treasurer to order for the first time for breaching that order, and I call the member for Vasse to order for his earlier outburst.
Promotion of competition - does that sound like someone who favours absolutely no extension of shopping hours? What about the comment about the Government not favouring one project over another? Is Windimurra man the one who can utter such remarks? What about the Leader of the Opposition’s sinking millions of dollars into the sand in support of the Kingstream project? He refers to not promoting one project over another; he has failed again, I say! What about sound fiscal management? Can the Leader of the Opposition really say those words when he blew the education budget by $100 million when Minister for Education? Can he say those words with any credibility when he was part of a Cabinet that delivered five deficits out of eight budgets and nearly lost our AAA credit rating? What about his exhortation about the need for microeconomic reform? He opposes the reform of the State’s electricity market against the wishes of almost every businessperson I can locate in Perth. He opposes the Government’s microeconomic reform of the State’s business tax system - the most comprehensive reform in more than 20 years. The Leader of the Opposition in his “Bedrock of the Economy” comment also referred to the provision of infrastructure. Is this not the same man who criticised this Government’s record $3.5 billion capital works program? Is it not the same man who complained about government borrowings for infrastructure to support growth and jobs in our economy? The Leader of the Opposition’s foreword also mentioned the need for a well-educated work force. Is he not the minister who presided over a collapse in school retention rates and a decline in apprentice and trainee numbers? I say harsh things about the Leader of the Opposition, but for just once I will say something nice about him. I will be careful. I think it is true. Once upon a time, the Leader of the Opposition was regarded as a man of principle. Once upon a time, he was regarded as a man who put policy above politics. The Leader of the Opposition is now a sad shadow of the person who once had that reputation. He is a craven figure who will say anything to anyone in order to advance the political position of his party; he has no principle and no policy. Everything is up for sale. The SPEAKER: I remind members of a statement I made a couple of weeks ago about not referring to members by names other than their position or seat name. I call the Treasurer to order for the first time for breaching that order, and I call the member for Vasse to order for his earlier outburst.
I say harsh things about the Leader of the Opposition, but for just once I will say something nice about him. I will be careful. I think it is true. Once upon a time, the Leader of the Opposition was regarded as a man of principle. Once upon a time, he was regarded as a man who put policy above politics. The Leader of the Opposition is now a sad shadow of the person who once had that reputation. He is a craven figure who will say anything to anyone in order to advance the political position of his party; he has no principle and no policy. Everything is up for sale. The SPEAKER: I remind members of a statement I made a couple of weeks ago about not referring to members by names other than their position or seat name. I call the Treasurer to order for the first time for breaching that order, and I call the member for Vasse to order for his earlier outburst.
The SPEAKER: I remind members of a statement I made a couple of weeks ago about not referring to members by names other than their position or seat name. I call the Treasurer to order for the first time for breaching that order, and I call the member for Vasse to order for his earlier outburst.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: The Government’s decision on retail trading hours attempts to balance competing interests. It has not gone as far as some people might have wanted, but the Government’s decision will see an extension in shopping hours on weeknights, which represents an increase in overall hours of about 20 per cent. That is clearly a step forward towards meeting our national competition obligations. This agreement between the Commonwealth and all State and Territory Governments was entered into, on behalf of the State of Western Australia, by former Premier Hon Richard Court. Presumably, Mr Court had the blessing of his Cabinet, of which the Leader of the Opposition was a member. The leader of the party of free enterprise has adopted the most extraordinary position; that is, a position of no deregulation whatsoever. That position dishonours the competition agreement to which the coalition Government bound Western Australia. Given the position of the Liberal Party, I was surprised when I picked up a copy of the latest Chamber of Minerals and Energy’s “Bedrock of the Economy” report. I was surprised because it had a foreword by the Leader of the Opposition. I read it with interest. The Leader of the Opposition’s foreword reads - Government policy should not favour one particular project over another, but rather create an environment that allows the entire industry to flourish. Sound fiscal management, ongoing microeconomic reform, provision of infrastructure, a well-educated workforce and promotion of competition should be the hallmarks of good government policy. Promotion of competition - does that sound like someone who favours absolutely no extension of shopping hours? What about the comment about the Government not favouring one project over another? Is Windimurra man the one who can utter such remarks? What about the Leader of the Opposition’s sinking millions of dollars into the sand in support of the Kingstream project? He refers to not promoting one project over another; he has failed again, I say! What about sound fiscal management? Can the Leader of the Opposition really say those words when he blew the education budget by $100 million when Minister for Education? Can he say those words with any credibility when he was part of a Cabinet that delivered five deficits out of eight budgets and nearly lost our AAA credit rating? What about his exhortation about the need for microeconomic reform? He opposes the reform of the State’s electricity market against the wishes of almost every businessperson I can locate in Perth. He opposes the Government’s microeconomic reform of the State’s business tax system - the most comprehensive reform in more than 20 years. The Leader of the Opposition in his “Bedrock of the Economy” comment also referred to the provision of infrastructure. Is this not the same man who criticised this Government’s record $3.5 billion capital works program? Is it not the same man who complained about government borrowings for infrastructure to support growth and jobs in our economy? The Leader of the Opposition’s foreword also mentioned the need for a well-educated work force. Is he not the minister who presided over a collapse in school retention rates and a decline in apprentice and trainee numbers? I say harsh things about the Leader of the Opposition, but for just once I will say something nice about him. I will be careful. I think it is true. Once upon a time, the Leader of the Opposition was regarded as a man of principle. Once upon a time, he was regarded as a man who put policy above politics. The Leader of the Opposition is now a sad shadow of the person who once had that reputation. He is a craven figure who will say anything to anyone in order to advance the political position of his party; he has no principle and no policy. Everything is up for sale. The SPEAKER: I remind members of a statement I made a couple of weeks ago about not referring to members by names other than their position or seat name. I call the Treasurer to order for the first time for breaching that order, and I call the member for Vasse to order for his earlier outburst.
The Government’s decision on retail trading hours attempts to balance competing interests. It has not gone as far as some people might have wanted, but the Government’s decision will see an extension in shopping hours on weeknights, which represents an increase in overall hours of about 20 per cent. That is clearly a step forward towards meeting our national competition obligations. This agreement between the Commonwealth and all State and Territory Governments was entered into, on behalf of the State of Western Australia, by former Premier Hon Richard Court. Presumably, Mr Court had the blessing of his Cabinet, of which the Leader of the Opposition was a member. The leader of the party of free enterprise has adopted the most extraordinary position; that is, a position of no deregulation whatsoever. That position dishonours the competition agreement to which the coalition Government bound Western Australia. Given the position of the Liberal Party, I was surprised when I picked up a copy of the latest Chamber of Minerals and Energy’s “Bedrock of the Economy” report. I was surprised because it had a foreword by the Leader of the Opposition. I read it with interest. The Leader of the Opposition’s foreword reads - Government policy should not favour one particular project over another, but rather create an environment that allows the entire industry to flourish. Sound fiscal management, ongoing microeconomic reform, provision of infrastructure, a well-educated workforce and promotion of competition should be the hallmarks of good government policy. Promotion of competition - does that sound like someone who favours absolutely no extension of shopping hours? What about the comment about the Government not favouring one project over another? Is Windimurra man the one who can utter such remarks? What about the Leader of the Opposition’s sinking millions of dollars into the sand in support of the Kingstream project? He refers to not promoting one project over another; he has failed again, I say! What about sound fiscal management? Can the Leader of the Opposition really say those words when he blew the education budget by $100 million when Minister for Education? Can he say those words with any credibility when he was part of a Cabinet that delivered five deficits out of eight budgets and nearly lost our AAA credit rating? What about his exhortation about the need for microeconomic reform? He opposes the reform of the State’s electricity market against the wishes of almost every businessperson I can locate in Perth. He opposes the Government’s microeconomic reform of the State’s business tax system - the most comprehensive reform in more than 20 years. The Leader of the Opposition in his “Bedrock of the Economy” comment also referred to the provision of infrastructure. Is this not the same man who criticised this Government’s record $3.5 billion capital works program? Is it not the same man who complained about government borrowings for infrastructure to support growth and jobs in our economy? The Leader of the Opposition’s foreword also mentioned the need for a well-educated work force. Is he not the minister who presided over a collapse in school retention rates and a decline in apprentice and trainee numbers? I say harsh things about the Leader of the Opposition, but for just once I will say something nice about him. I will be careful. I think it is true. Once upon a time, the Leader of the Opposition was regarded as a man of principle. Once upon a time, he was regarded as a man who put policy above politics. The Leader of the Opposition is now a sad shadow of the person who once had that reputation. He is a craven figure who will say anything to anyone in order to advance the political position of his party; he has no principle and no policy. Everything is up for sale. The SPEAKER: I remind members of a statement I made a couple of weeks ago about not referring to members by names other than their position or seat name. I call the Treasurer to order for the first time for breaching that order, and I call the member for Vasse to order for his earlier outburst.
Given the position of the Liberal Party, I was surprised when I picked up a copy of the latest Chamber of Minerals and Energy’s “Bedrock of the Economy” report. I was surprised because it had a foreword by the Leader of the Opposition. I read it with interest. The Leader of the Opposition’s foreword reads - Government policy should not favour one particular project over another, but rather create an environment that allows the entire industry to flourish. Sound fiscal management, ongoing microeconomic reform, provision of infrastructure, a well-educated workforce and promotion of competition should be the hallmarks of good government policy. Promotion of competition - does that sound like someone who favours absolutely no extension of shopping hours? What about the comment about the Government not favouring one project over another? Is Windimurra man the one who can utter such remarks? What about the Leader of the Opposition’s sinking millions of dollars into the sand in support of the Kingstream project? He refers to not promoting one project over another; he has failed again, I say! What about sound fiscal management? Can the Leader of the Opposition really say those words when he blew the education budget by $100 million when Minister for Education? Can he say those words with any credibility when he was part of a Cabinet that delivered five deficits out of eight budgets and nearly lost our AAA credit rating? What about his exhortation about the need for microeconomic reform? He opposes the reform of the State’s electricity market against the wishes of almost every businessperson I can locate in Perth. He opposes the Government’s microeconomic reform of the State’s business tax system - the most comprehensive reform in more than 20 years. The Leader of the Opposition in his “Bedrock of the Economy” comment also referred to the provision of infrastructure. Is this not the same man who criticised this Government’s record $3.5 billion capital works program? Is it not the same man who complained about government borrowings for infrastructure to support growth and jobs in our economy? The Leader of the Opposition’s foreword also mentioned the need for a well-educated work force. Is he not the minister who presided over a collapse in school retention rates and a decline in apprentice and trainee numbers? I say harsh things about the Leader of the Opposition, but for just once I will say something nice about him. I will be careful. I think it is true. Once upon a time, the Leader of the Opposition was regarded as a man of principle. Once upon a time, he was regarded as a man who put policy above politics. The Leader of the Opposition is now a sad shadow of the person who once had that reputation. He is a craven figure who will say anything to anyone in order to advance the political position of his party; he has no principle and no policy. Everything is up for sale. The SPEAKER: I remind members of a statement I made a couple of weeks ago about not referring to members by names other than their position or seat name. I call the Treasurer to order for the first time for breaching that order, and I call the member for Vasse to order for his earlier outburst.
Government policy should not favour one particular project over another, but rather create an environment that allows the entire industry to flourish. Sound fiscal management, ongoing microeconomic reform, provision of infrastructure, a well-educated workforce and promotion of competition should be the hallmarks of good government policy. Promotion of competition - does that sound like someone who favours absolutely no extension of shopping hours? What about the comment about the Government not favouring one project over another? Is Windimurra man the one who can utter such remarks? What about the Leader of the Opposition’s sinking millions of dollars into the sand in support of the Kingstream project? He refers to not promoting one project over another; he has failed again, I say! What about sound fiscal management? Can the Leader of the Opposition really say those words when he blew the education budget by $100 million when Minister for Education? Can he say those words with any credibility when he was part of a Cabinet that delivered five deficits out of eight budgets and nearly lost our AAA credit rating? What about his exhortation about the need for microeconomic reform? He opposes the reform of the State’s electricity market against the wishes of almost every businessperson I can locate in Perth. He opposes the Government’s microeconomic reform of the State’s business tax system - the most comprehensive reform in more than 20 years. The Leader of the Opposition in his “Bedrock of the Economy” comment also referred to the provision of infrastructure. Is this not the same man who criticised this Government’s record $3.5 billion capital works program? Is it not the same man who complained about government borrowings for infrastructure to support growth and jobs in our economy? The Leader of the Opposition’s foreword also mentioned the need for a well-educated work force. Is he not the minister who presided over a collapse in school retention rates and a decline in apprentice and trainee numbers? I say harsh things about the Leader of the Opposition, but for just once I will say something nice about him. I will be careful. I think it is true. Once upon a time, the Leader of the Opposition was regarded as a man of principle. Once upon a time, he was regarded as a man who put policy above politics. The Leader of the Opposition is now a sad shadow of the person who once had that reputation. He is a craven figure who will say anything to anyone in order to advance the political position of his party; he has no principle and no policy. Everything is up for sale. The SPEAKER: I remind members of a statement I made a couple of weeks ago about not referring to members by names other than their position or seat name. I call the Treasurer to order for the first time for breaching that order, and I call the member for Vasse to order for his earlier outburst.
Promotion of competition - does that sound like someone who favours absolutely no extension of shopping hours? What about the comment about the Government not favouring one project over another? Is Windimurra man the one who can utter such remarks? What about the Leader of the Opposition’s sinking millions of dollars into the sand in support of the Kingstream project? He refers to not promoting one project over another; he has failed again, I say! What about sound fiscal management? Can the Leader of the Opposition really say those words when he blew the education budget by $100 million when Minister for Education? Can he say those words with any credibility when he was part of a Cabinet that delivered five deficits out of eight budgets and nearly lost our AAA credit rating? What about his exhortation about the need for microeconomic reform? He opposes the reform of the State’s electricity market against the wishes of almost every businessperson I can locate in Perth. He opposes the Government’s microeconomic reform of the State’s business tax system - the most comprehensive reform in more than 20 years. The Leader of the Opposition in his “Bedrock of the Economy” comment also referred to the provision of infrastructure. Is this not the same man who criticised this Government’s record $3.5 billion capital works program? Is it not the same man who complained about government borrowings for infrastructure to support growth and jobs in our economy? The Leader of the Opposition’s foreword also mentioned the need for a well-educated work force. Is he not the minister who presided over a collapse in school retention rates and a decline in apprentice and trainee numbers? I say harsh things about the Leader of the Opposition, but for just once I will say something nice about him. I will be careful. I think it is true. Once upon a time, the Leader of the Opposition was regarded as a man of principle. Once upon a time, he was regarded as a man who put policy above politics. The Leader of the Opposition is now a sad shadow of the person who once had that reputation. He is a craven figure who will say anything to anyone in order to advance the political position of his party; he has no principle and no policy. Everything is up for sale. The SPEAKER: I remind members of a statement I made a couple of weeks ago about not referring to members by names other than their position or seat name. I call the Treasurer to order for the first time for breaching that order, and I call the member for Vasse to order for his earlier outburst.
I say harsh things about the Leader of the Opposition, but for just once I will say something nice about him. I will be careful. I think it is true. Once upon a time, the Leader of the Opposition was regarded as a man of principle. Once upon a time, he was regarded as a man who put policy above politics. The Leader of the Opposition is now a sad shadow of the person who once had that reputation. He is a craven figure who will say anything to anyone in order to advance the political position of his party; he has no principle and no policy. Everything is up for sale. The SPEAKER: I remind members of a statement I made a couple of weeks ago about not referring to members by names other than their position or seat name. I call the Treasurer to order for the first time for breaching that order, and I call the member for Vasse to order for his earlier outburst.
The SPEAKER: I remind members of a statement I made a couple of weeks ago about not referring to members by names other than their position or seat name. I call the Treasurer to order for the first time for breaching that order, and I call the member for Vasse to order for his earlier outburst.
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