❓ Opposition questions the government's commitment to agriculture due to perceived lack of budgetary focus. The Premier defends the government's record and priorities, highlighting investment in regional infrastructure and the Minister for Agriculture.
AnsweredQoN 250Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
STATE BUDGET — AGRICULTURE AND FOOD
Like all members in this chamber, the Premier listened to the Treasurer’s budget speech last Thursday when, for the second consecutive year, the Treasurer failed to recognise the agricultural industry; in fact, he never mentioned the word “agriculture” once. (1) Is it not a fact that the government, as evidenced by the Treasurer’s speech, views agriculture and food production in Western Australia as being of scant consequence? (2) Does the government see far more importance in building museums and stadiums than ensuring WA farmers stay in business? (3) Why was there no real percentage increase allocated for agriculture in the budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
Like all members in this chamber, the Premier listened to the Treasurer’s budget speech last Thursday when, for the second consecutive year, the Treasurer failed to recognise the agricultural industry; in fact, he never mentioned the word “agriculture” once. (1) Is it not a fact that the government, as evidenced by the Treasurer’s speech, views agriculture and food production in Western Australia as being of scant consequence? (2) Does the government see far more importance in building museums and stadiums than ensuring WA farmers stay in business? (3) Why was there no real percentage increase allocated for agriculture in the budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : To continue — (3) Has there ever been in Western Australia a more knowledgeable and/or better Minister for Agriculture and Food than the current one? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
(1) Is it not a fact that the government, as evidenced by the Treasurer’s speech, views agriculture and food production in Western Australia as being of scant consequence? (2) Does the government see far more importance in building museums and stadiums than ensuring WA farmers stay in business? (3) Why was there no real percentage increase allocated for agriculture in the budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : To continue — (3) Has there ever been in Western Australia a more knowledgeable and/or better Minister for Agriculture and Food than the current one? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
(2) Does the government see far more importance in building museums and stadiums than ensuring WA farmers stay in business? (3) Why was there no real percentage increase allocated for agriculture in the budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : To continue — (3) Has there ever been in Western Australia a more knowledgeable and/or better Minister for Agriculture and Food than the current one? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
(3) Why was there no real percentage increase allocated for agriculture in the budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : To continue — (3) Has there ever been in Western Australia a more knowledgeable and/or better Minister for Agriculture and Food than the current one? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : To continue — (3) Has there ever been in Western Australia a more knowledgeable and/or better Minister for Agriculture and Food than the current one? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
(1)-(2) No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : To continue — (3) Has there ever been in Western Australia a more knowledgeable and/or better Minister for Agriculture and Food than the current one? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : To continue — (3) Has there ever been in Western Australia a more knowledgeable and/or better Minister for Agriculture and Food than the current one? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : To continue — (3) Has there ever been in Western Australia a more knowledgeable and/or better Minister for Agriculture and Food than the current one? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : To continue — (3) Has there ever been in Western Australia a more knowledgeable and/or better Minister for Agriculture and Food than the current one? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
(3) Has there ever been in Western Australia a more knowledgeable and/or better Minister for Agriculture and Food than the current one? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
(1) Is it not a fact that the government, as evidenced by the Treasurer’s speech, views agriculture and food production in Western Australia as being of scant consequence? (2) Does the government see far more importance in building museums and stadiums than ensuring WA farmers stay in business? (3) Why was there no real percentage increase allocated for agriculture in the budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : To continue — (3) Has there ever been in Western Australia a more knowledgeable and/or better Minister for Agriculture and Food than the current one? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
(2) Does the government see far more importance in building museums and stadiums than ensuring WA farmers stay in business? (3) Why was there no real percentage increase allocated for agriculture in the budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : To continue — (3) Has there ever been in Western Australia a more knowledgeable and/or better Minister for Agriculture and Food than the current one? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
(3) Why was there no real percentage increase allocated for agriculture in the budget? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : To continue — (3) Has there ever been in Western Australia a more knowledgeable and/or better Minister for Agriculture and Food than the current one? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(2) No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : To continue — (3) Has there ever been in Western Australia a more knowledgeable and/or better Minister for Agriculture and Food than the current one? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
(1)-(2) No. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : To continue — (3) Has there ever been in Western Australia a more knowledgeable and/or better Minister for Agriculture and Food than the current one? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : To continue — (3) Has there ever been in Western Australia a more knowledgeable and/or better Minister for Agriculture and Food than the current one? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : To continue — (3) Has there ever been in Western Australia a more knowledgeable and/or better Minister for Agriculture and Food than the current one? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : To continue — (3) Has there ever been in Western Australia a more knowledgeable and/or better Minister for Agriculture and Food than the current one? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
(3) Has there ever been in Western Australia a more knowledgeable and/or better Minister for Agriculture and Food than the current one? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Has there? Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.D. McRae : No chance! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Exactly! As far as I am aware, there has not been a better or more competent Minister for Agriculture and Food in the state’s history. To buttress my view on that, when I meet with representative bodies and the minister is with me, the recognition he is afforded is quite apparent. He knows more about agriculture than most people in agriculture are ever likely to know. That is a fact. There we go! Far from agriculture being an area for which we do not have a high regard, it is quite the contrary; we have produced the best Minister for Agriculture and Food in years. Actually — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Never mind. The answers to the first two parts of the question are no and no. What was the third part of the question? Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr G. Snook : Why won’t you allocate a real increase? There’s no real increase, Premier. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would have thought that spending on vital state infrastructure and once-in-a-century projects, such as the Museum, would be in the interests of all Western Australian people, including those who live in agricultural areas, or perhaps the member thinks differently, does he? Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr G. Snook : You would agree, Premier, wouldn’t you, that food plays a fairly important role in people’s lives? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I would find it hard to disagree with that comment. Perhaps the member who asked the question is of the view that people in agricultural areas are not interested in the state having a world-class museum. Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr G. Snook : I didn’t say that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Perhaps he is of the view that they do not want one built. Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr G. Snook : I’m asking you, Premier, where your priorities lie. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : My priorities lie with the best interests of the Western Australian people. Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr G. Snook : Including people in rural areas who produce your food? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Certainly; no matter where they are. Our track record on that speaks for itself. Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr G. Snook : It certainly does in view of the lack of money you’re prepared to put in. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have done my best to try to categorise the question as being ill-informed. I have responded directly to the first two parts of the question. In answer to the third part of the question, we are investing heavily in all our regional areas and, as part of that investment, on the infrastructure that supports agriculture, including all the ports up and down the coast and the rail network. Speaking of the rail network, let me lift the lid off this one once again. What happened to the grain freight rail network when the Liberal and National Parties were in power? What happened to the grain freight rail network that was so important to supporting our agriculture industry? Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr G. Snook : Is that the same sort of thing that happened in the split-up of Western Power? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No; it is nothing like it in fact. Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr G. Snook : Whom does the infrastructure belong to, Premier? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Mr Speaker, it is very hard to have a rational, logical debate in this Parliament. It is impossible with the sort of logic that sits behind this question. Yes, we are vitally interested in the state’s agricultural success. It has been successful. There have been ups and downs because of weather factors, of course. We have generally had good recognition from the agricultural sector. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
The SPEAKER : I call to order the member for Roe for the third and final time and the member for Murray. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I have not finished yet! In agriculture there are good seasons and bad seasons. In politics members opposite are having a very bad season.
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