❓ Mr. Wyatt questions Premier Barnett about referring concerns regarding iron ore export volumes to regulators. Premier Barnett denies making accusations of collusion and defends his actions as advocating for WA's interests, particularly smaller miners.
AnsweredQoN 794Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
IRON ORE EXPORT VOLUMES — PREMIER'S COMMENTS
794. Mr B.S. WYATT to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. In light of those comments,
has the Premier referred any of his concerns to any regulator in the world or
Australia?
794. Mr B.S. WYATT to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. In light of those comments,
has the Premier referred any of his concerns to any regulator in the world or
Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
Why would I?
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Because you're making
allegations.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not the person talking about
cartels, as the member for Victoria Park is. I am not talking about collusion.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : That is what you said.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I did not use the word ''cartel''.
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, you are on two
calls.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : In any case, I have made the point
about the interests of Western Australia in terms of the broader global and
state-based iron ore industry, particularly with reference to the juniors. I
have made reference to the impact of this on the finances of Western Australia,
and this state government has been incredibly supportive of the iron ore
industry, in all sorts of ways. That is the point. I place on the public
record, in response to questions, my view of the interests of Western Australia—the
Western Australian taxpayer, the Western Australian consumer, and the Western Australian
government, because we are a player in this. The iron ore belongs to us, and we
have a commercial interest. That is what I have done; I have done it previously
in my career, and I will no doubt probably do it at some time in the future.
That is quite proper, and, as I said before, I doubt that the companies even
thought of that, or the implications. I doubt it crossed their minds.
Ms R. Saffioti interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is making comments about
colluding; I am not.
Ms R. Saffioti interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order
for the second time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I stated a public position as Premier
—
Mr M. McGowan interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker —
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition!
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am actually standing up for the
smaller companies, the workers and the finances of this state—something
we know that the Leader of the Opposition would never, ever do. There is only
one party here that is standing up for the small miners—this party. We
are doing it for the 100 000 people who work in our mining industry.
I am not making accusations of collusion or anything else.
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park!
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have made very clear that the two
policies are in concert. They are parallel; there is no doubt about that. I
have, if you like, stated the public position of the Western Australian
government and I have fired a shot across the bows of the two companies, and
prices have jumped up three or four dollars already.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members, that question is finished!
Member for Balcatta.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Because you're making
allegations.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not the person talking about
cartels, as the member for Victoria Park is. I am not talking about collusion.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : That is what you said.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I did not use the word ''cartel''.
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, you are on two
calls.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : In any case, I have made the point
about the interests of Western Australia in terms of the broader global and
state-based iron ore industry, particularly with reference to the juniors. I
have made reference to the impact of this on the finances of Western Australia,
and this state government has been incredibly supportive of the iron ore
industry, in all sorts of ways. That is the point. I place on the public
record, in response to questions, my view of the interests of Western Australia—the
Western Australian taxpayer, the Western Australian consumer, and the Western Australian
government, because we are a player in this. The iron ore belongs to us, and we
have a commercial interest. That is what I have done; I have done it previously
in my career, and I will no doubt probably do it at some time in the future.
That is quite proper, and, as I said before, I doubt that the companies even
thought of that, or the implications. I doubt it crossed their minds.
Ms R. Saffioti interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is making comments about
colluding; I am not.
Ms R. Saffioti interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order
for the second time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I stated a public position as Premier
—
Mr M. McGowan interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker —
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition!
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am actually standing up for the
smaller companies, the workers and the finances of this state—something
we know that the Leader of the Opposition would never, ever do. There is only
one party here that is standing up for the small miners—this party. We
are doing it for the 100 000 people who work in our mining industry.
I am not making accusations of collusion or anything else.
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park!
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have made very clear that the two
policies are in concert. They are parallel; there is no doubt about that. I
have, if you like, stated the public position of the Western Australian
government and I have fired a shot across the bows of the two companies, and
prices have jumped up three or four dollars already.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members, that question is finished!
Member for Balcatta.
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