❓ Opposition Leader McGowan questions Premier Barnett about the accuracy of pre-election costings, specifically regarding a projected $1.2 billion increase to state debt. Barnett dismisses the question as trivial and irrelevant, highlighting upcoming budget figures and past achievements.
AnsweredQoN 392Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
LIBERAL PARTY ELECTION COMMITMENTS —
COSTINGS
392. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer to the ''2013 State
Election Policy Costing—Impact of Liberal Party Commitments on State
Finances'' document that was released by Treasury two days before the
state election and Treasury's assessment that the Liberal Party's
commitments will add $1.2 billion to net debt by 30 June 2016. Does the Premier
stand by his costings document, released only five months ago, that claims only
a $1.2 billion increase to state debt?
COSTINGS
392. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer to the ''2013 State
Election Policy Costing—Impact of Liberal Party Commitments on State
Finances'' document that was released by Treasury two days before the
state election and Treasury's assessment that the Liberal Party's
commitments will add $1.2 billion to net debt by 30 June 2016. Does the Premier
stand by his costings document, released only five months ago, that claims only
a $1.2 billion increase to state debt?
AnswerView source ↗
What is the point of that question?
What is the point in going back to election documents when we are five months
into a new government and we are about to present a budget with updated
Treasury figures? What is the point? It is just a joke. The opposition seems to
be incapable of focusing on the pertinent, the real and the bigger picture. It
just cannot do it. The Leader of the Opposition asked whether our costings in
the election were accurate. I will tell members when we will know when the
costings are accurate. We will know when the projects are built, finished and
paid for.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Armadale, the plan is not to drown people out.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : As I said, we will only finally know whether the costings are
accurate when a particular project is built, paid for and completed. I cannot
answer trivial opposition questions.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Members opposite are rabbiting on. It was a ridiculous
question. It was a weak question. The performance of the opposition after a
six-week break is appalling. It has had nothing new to say. It has done no work
over the winter recess and its questions are absolutely hopeless. It is an
absolute rabble. Members opposite are interjecting; they are all over the shop.
They did no work during the winter break.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Premier, if you want to answer the question, answer the question; otherwise,
that is it. Are you finished?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
No, Mr Speaker; I am only starting. I will be brief. The budget will be
released at two o'clock. There is no doubt that debt is a constraint on
this government and on future governments. What did we do during our first term
in government?
Mr P. Papalia : Not
much.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Not much! Members should look at the public hospital system. It has been almost
totally rebuilt in country areas and the city. Look at the improvements to the
City of Perth, which has been neglected for years, such as the sinking of the
rail line, Elizabeth Quay and a stadium now underway. We identified very
clearly, well before the last state election, that if elected for a second
term, our priorities would be transport, in Perth in particular —
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Members opposite laugh and giggle. They should just watch this space. Just as
they said we would never build a stadium, we would never build Elizabeth Quay,
we would never sink the railway and we would never build the children's
hospital, they should watch us build the rail projects and watch the road
improvements.
What is the point in going back to election documents when we are five months
into a new government and we are about to present a budget with updated
Treasury figures? What is the point? It is just a joke. The opposition seems to
be incapable of focusing on the pertinent, the real and the bigger picture. It
just cannot do it. The Leader of the Opposition asked whether our costings in
the election were accurate. I will tell members when we will know when the
costings are accurate. We will know when the projects are built, finished and
paid for.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Armadale, the plan is not to drown people out.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : As I said, we will only finally know whether the costings are
accurate when a particular project is built, paid for and completed. I cannot
answer trivial opposition questions.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Members opposite are rabbiting on. It was a ridiculous
question. It was a weak question. The performance of the opposition after a
six-week break is appalling. It has had nothing new to say. It has done no work
over the winter recess and its questions are absolutely hopeless. It is an
absolute rabble. Members opposite are interjecting; they are all over the shop.
They did no work during the winter break.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Premier, if you want to answer the question, answer the question; otherwise,
that is it. Are you finished?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
No, Mr Speaker; I am only starting. I will be brief. The budget will be
released at two o'clock. There is no doubt that debt is a constraint on
this government and on future governments. What did we do during our first term
in government?
Mr P. Papalia : Not
much.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Not much! Members should look at the public hospital system. It has been almost
totally rebuilt in country areas and the city. Look at the improvements to the
City of Perth, which has been neglected for years, such as the sinking of the
rail line, Elizabeth Quay and a stadium now underway. We identified very
clearly, well before the last state election, that if elected for a second
term, our priorities would be transport, in Perth in particular —
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Members opposite laugh and giggle. They should just watch this space. Just as
they said we would never build a stadium, we would never build Elizabeth Quay,
we would never sink the railway and we would never build the children's
hospital, they should watch us build the rail projects and watch the road
improvements.
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