❓ Opposition questions Premier about electricity price hikes and their impact on households needing air conditioning, particularly vulnerable groups. Premier deflects, questioning air conditioning as a necessity and highlighting past government failures in energy provision.
AnsweredQoN 744Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ELECTRICITY COST INCREASES
Before I ask my question, on behalf of the member for Mandurah I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of student counsellors and staff from Riverside Primary School in Mandurah. I refer to the Premier’s personal responsibility for families suffering vastly increased family bills. (1) Is the Premier aware that, based on information provided by his government’s Office of Energy and the Australian Consumers’ Association, his price hikes in electricity mean that the hourly cost to run air conditioners has risen by 67 per cent since he came to government? (2) Does the Premier concede that for this summer, households will pay $270 per room to run split-system air conditioners in their homes? (3) What does the Premier say to the many elderly and many young mothers who will need to run air conditioners for extended periods and will endure massive bills as a result? (4) Does the Premier plan to announce any relief in the midyear review or does he intend to ensure that these people have a miserable, poor and hot Christmas? Mr C.J. BARNETT
Before I ask my question, on behalf of the member for Mandurah I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of student counsellors and staff from Riverside Primary School in Mandurah. I refer to the Premier’s personal responsibility for families suffering vastly increased family bills. (1) Is the Premier aware that, based on information provided by his government’s Office of Energy and the Australian Consumers’ Association, his price hikes in electricity mean that the hourly cost to run air conditioners has risen by 67 per cent since he came to government? (2) Does the Premier concede that for this summer, households will pay $270 per room to run split-system air conditioners in their homes? (3) What does the Premier say to the many elderly and many young mothers who will need to run air conditioners for extended periods and will endure massive bills as a result? (4) Does the Premier plan to announce any relief in the midyear review or does he intend to ensure that these people have a miserable, poor and hot Christmas? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(4) An interesting question. I certainly recognise that for elderly people and for people who are unwell and perhaps bedridden, air conditioning can be an essential part of living in a hot climate. But tell me, Leader of the Opposition, when did air conditioning become a necessity of life? Yes, in the Pilbara, in the Kimberley and in very hot places, but when did it become a necessity of life to have air conditioning? Mr E.S. Ripper : When three-quarters of our households took it up! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not have any air conditioning in my house. Mr E.S. Ripper : You live in Cottesloe! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
I refer to the Premier’s personal responsibility for families suffering vastly increased family bills. (1) Is the Premier aware that, based on information provided by his government’s Office of Energy and the Australian Consumers’ Association, his price hikes in electricity mean that the hourly cost to run air conditioners has risen by 67 per cent since he came to government? (2) Does the Premier concede that for this summer, households will pay $270 per room to run split-system air conditioners in their homes? (3) What does the Premier say to the many elderly and many young mothers who will need to run air conditioners for extended periods and will endure massive bills as a result? (4) Does the Premier plan to announce any relief in the midyear review or does he intend to ensure that these people have a miserable, poor and hot Christmas? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) An interesting question. I certainly recognise that for elderly people and for people who are unwell and perhaps bedridden, air conditioning can be an essential part of living in a hot climate. But tell me, Leader of the Opposition, when did air conditioning become a necessity of life? Yes, in the Pilbara, in the Kimberley and in very hot places, but when did it become a necessity of life to have air conditioning? Mr E.S. Ripper : When three-quarters of our households took it up! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not have any air conditioning in my house. Mr E.S. Ripper : You live in Cottesloe! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
(1) Is the Premier aware that, based on information provided by his government’s Office of Energy and the Australian Consumers’ Association, his price hikes in electricity mean that the hourly cost to run air conditioners has risen by 67 per cent since he came to government? (2) Does the Premier concede that for this summer, households will pay $270 per room to run split-system air conditioners in their homes? (3) What does the Premier say to the many elderly and many young mothers who will need to run air conditioners for extended periods and will endure massive bills as a result? (4) Does the Premier plan to announce any relief in the midyear review or does he intend to ensure that these people have a miserable, poor and hot Christmas? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) An interesting question. I certainly recognise that for elderly people and for people who are unwell and perhaps bedridden, air conditioning can be an essential part of living in a hot climate. But tell me, Leader of the Opposition, when did air conditioning become a necessity of life? Yes, in the Pilbara, in the Kimberley and in very hot places, but when did it become a necessity of life to have air conditioning? Mr E.S. Ripper : When three-quarters of our households took it up! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not have any air conditioning in my house. Mr E.S. Ripper : You live in Cottesloe! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
(2) Does the Premier concede that for this summer, households will pay $270 per room to run split-system air conditioners in their homes? (3) What does the Premier say to the many elderly and many young mothers who will need to run air conditioners for extended periods and will endure massive bills as a result? (4) Does the Premier plan to announce any relief in the midyear review or does he intend to ensure that these people have a miserable, poor and hot Christmas? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) An interesting question. I certainly recognise that for elderly people and for people who are unwell and perhaps bedridden, air conditioning can be an essential part of living in a hot climate. But tell me, Leader of the Opposition, when did air conditioning become a necessity of life? Yes, in the Pilbara, in the Kimberley and in very hot places, but when did it become a necessity of life to have air conditioning? Mr E.S. Ripper : When three-quarters of our households took it up! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not have any air conditioning in my house. Mr E.S. Ripper : You live in Cottesloe! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
(3) What does the Premier say to the many elderly and many young mothers who will need to run air conditioners for extended periods and will endure massive bills as a result? (4) Does the Premier plan to announce any relief in the midyear review or does he intend to ensure that these people have a miserable, poor and hot Christmas? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) An interesting question. I certainly recognise that for elderly people and for people who are unwell and perhaps bedridden, air conditioning can be an essential part of living in a hot climate. But tell me, Leader of the Opposition, when did air conditioning become a necessity of life? Yes, in the Pilbara, in the Kimberley and in very hot places, but when did it become a necessity of life to have air conditioning? Mr E.S. Ripper : When three-quarters of our households took it up! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not have any air conditioning in my house. Mr E.S. Ripper : You live in Cottesloe! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
(4) Does the Premier plan to announce any relief in the midyear review or does he intend to ensure that these people have a miserable, poor and hot Christmas? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) An interesting question. I certainly recognise that for elderly people and for people who are unwell and perhaps bedridden, air conditioning can be an essential part of living in a hot climate. But tell me, Leader of the Opposition, when did air conditioning become a necessity of life? Yes, in the Pilbara, in the Kimberley and in very hot places, but when did it become a necessity of life to have air conditioning? Mr E.S. Ripper : When three-quarters of our households took it up! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not have any air conditioning in my house. Mr E.S. Ripper : You live in Cottesloe! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) An interesting question. I certainly recognise that for elderly people and for people who are unwell and perhaps bedridden, air conditioning can be an essential part of living in a hot climate. But tell me, Leader of the Opposition, when did air conditioning become a necessity of life? Yes, in the Pilbara, in the Kimberley and in very hot places, but when did it become a necessity of life to have air conditioning? Mr E.S. Ripper : When three-quarters of our households took it up! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not have any air conditioning in my house. Mr E.S. Ripper : You live in Cottesloe! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
(1)–(4) An interesting question. I certainly recognise that for elderly people and for people who are unwell and perhaps bedridden, air conditioning can be an essential part of living in a hot climate. But tell me, Leader of the Opposition, when did air conditioning become a necessity of life? Yes, in the Pilbara, in the Kimberley and in very hot places, but when did it become a necessity of life to have air conditioning? Mr E.S. Ripper : When three-quarters of our households took it up! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not have any air conditioning in my house. Mr E.S. Ripper : You live in Cottesloe! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr E.S. Ripper : When three-quarters of our households took it up! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not have any air conditioning in my house. Mr E.S. Ripper : You live in Cottesloe! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not have any air conditioning in my house. Mr E.S. Ripper : You live in Cottesloe! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You live in Cottesloe! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
I refer to the Premier’s personal responsibility for families suffering vastly increased family bills. (1) Is the Premier aware that, based on information provided by his government’s Office of Energy and the Australian Consumers’ Association, his price hikes in electricity mean that the hourly cost to run air conditioners has risen by 67 per cent since he came to government? (2) Does the Premier concede that for this summer, households will pay $270 per room to run split-system air conditioners in their homes? (3) What does the Premier say to the many elderly and many young mothers who will need to run air conditioners for extended periods and will endure massive bills as a result? (4) Does the Premier plan to announce any relief in the midyear review or does he intend to ensure that these people have a miserable, poor and hot Christmas? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) An interesting question. I certainly recognise that for elderly people and for people who are unwell and perhaps bedridden, air conditioning can be an essential part of living in a hot climate. But tell me, Leader of the Opposition, when did air conditioning become a necessity of life? Yes, in the Pilbara, in the Kimberley and in very hot places, but when did it become a necessity of life to have air conditioning? Mr E.S. Ripper : When three-quarters of our households took it up! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not have any air conditioning in my house. Mr E.S. Ripper : You live in Cottesloe! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
(1) Is the Premier aware that, based on information provided by his government’s Office of Energy and the Australian Consumers’ Association, his price hikes in electricity mean that the hourly cost to run air conditioners has risen by 67 per cent since he came to government? (2) Does the Premier concede that for this summer, households will pay $270 per room to run split-system air conditioners in their homes? (3) What does the Premier say to the many elderly and many young mothers who will need to run air conditioners for extended periods and will endure massive bills as a result? (4) Does the Premier plan to announce any relief in the midyear review or does he intend to ensure that these people have a miserable, poor and hot Christmas? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) An interesting question. I certainly recognise that for elderly people and for people who are unwell and perhaps bedridden, air conditioning can be an essential part of living in a hot climate. But tell me, Leader of the Opposition, when did air conditioning become a necessity of life? Yes, in the Pilbara, in the Kimberley and in very hot places, but when did it become a necessity of life to have air conditioning? Mr E.S. Ripper : When three-quarters of our households took it up! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not have any air conditioning in my house. Mr E.S. Ripper : You live in Cottesloe! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
(2) Does the Premier concede that for this summer, households will pay $270 per room to run split-system air conditioners in their homes? (3) What does the Premier say to the many elderly and many young mothers who will need to run air conditioners for extended periods and will endure massive bills as a result? (4) Does the Premier plan to announce any relief in the midyear review or does he intend to ensure that these people have a miserable, poor and hot Christmas? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) An interesting question. I certainly recognise that for elderly people and for people who are unwell and perhaps bedridden, air conditioning can be an essential part of living in a hot climate. But tell me, Leader of the Opposition, when did air conditioning become a necessity of life? Yes, in the Pilbara, in the Kimberley and in very hot places, but when did it become a necessity of life to have air conditioning? Mr E.S. Ripper : When three-quarters of our households took it up! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not have any air conditioning in my house. Mr E.S. Ripper : You live in Cottesloe! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
(3) What does the Premier say to the many elderly and many young mothers who will need to run air conditioners for extended periods and will endure massive bills as a result? (4) Does the Premier plan to announce any relief in the midyear review or does he intend to ensure that these people have a miserable, poor and hot Christmas? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) An interesting question. I certainly recognise that for elderly people and for people who are unwell and perhaps bedridden, air conditioning can be an essential part of living in a hot climate. But tell me, Leader of the Opposition, when did air conditioning become a necessity of life? Yes, in the Pilbara, in the Kimberley and in very hot places, but when did it become a necessity of life to have air conditioning? Mr E.S. Ripper : When three-quarters of our households took it up! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not have any air conditioning in my house. Mr E.S. Ripper : You live in Cottesloe! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
(4) Does the Premier plan to announce any relief in the midyear review or does he intend to ensure that these people have a miserable, poor and hot Christmas? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) An interesting question. I certainly recognise that for elderly people and for people who are unwell and perhaps bedridden, air conditioning can be an essential part of living in a hot climate. But tell me, Leader of the Opposition, when did air conditioning become a necessity of life? Yes, in the Pilbara, in the Kimberley and in very hot places, but when did it become a necessity of life to have air conditioning? Mr E.S. Ripper : When three-quarters of our households took it up! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not have any air conditioning in my house. Mr E.S. Ripper : You live in Cottesloe! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(4) An interesting question. I certainly recognise that for elderly people and for people who are unwell and perhaps bedridden, air conditioning can be an essential part of living in a hot climate. But tell me, Leader of the Opposition, when did air conditioning become a necessity of life? Yes, in the Pilbara, in the Kimberley and in very hot places, but when did it become a necessity of life to have air conditioning? Mr E.S. Ripper : When three-quarters of our households took it up! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not have any air conditioning in my house. Mr E.S. Ripper : You live in Cottesloe! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
(1)–(4) An interesting question. I certainly recognise that for elderly people and for people who are unwell and perhaps bedridden, air conditioning can be an essential part of living in a hot climate. But tell me, Leader of the Opposition, when did air conditioning become a necessity of life? Yes, in the Pilbara, in the Kimberley and in very hot places, but when did it become a necessity of life to have air conditioning? Mr E.S. Ripper : When three-quarters of our households took it up! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not have any air conditioning in my house. Mr E.S. Ripper : You live in Cottesloe! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr E.S. Ripper : When three-quarters of our households took it up! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not have any air conditioning in my house. Mr E.S. Ripper : You live in Cottesloe! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not have any air conditioning in my house. Mr E.S. Ripper : You live in Cottesloe! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You live in Cottesloe! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is an interesting observation that suddenly now in our Mediterranean climate in Perth and in the southern part of the state, air conditioning is now deemed to be a necessity. I do not think it is, but I recognise that there are many people in the community who require it. It is interesting, Mr Speaker: when does an item that was perhaps 10 years ago seen as a luxury suddenly become widely used and suddenly become a necessity? Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Go out to the hot eastern suburbs and see what people are doing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this government focuses on the real needs of the community. The Leader of the Opposition will move a matter of public interest motion today. We will debate that and we will talk about what this government has done to address the real needs, the genuine needs, of the people in Western Australia. Air conditioning Perth homes is not at the top of my list, I have got to say; it is not. It is not a necessity in a Mediterranean climate such as Perth has. This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
This is about the tenth time the opposition has run the same debate, and we will engage in this debate a little today. We will have a little to say about the values of opposition members and their performances in government and what their values seem to be today. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has never hidden from the fact that we have increased electricity prices very substantially, and we have not missed the opportunity to remind the public of Western Australia that we inherited a situation in which Verve Energy had around $800 million in debt. Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr F.M. Logan : No. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Not in debt, but in accumulated losses. Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr F.M. Logan : Exactly. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : That was the reality. And we remind people that when the member for Cockburn was the energy minister in the former government, this state actually ran out of electricity. I think people would prefer to have electricity—that is their first necessity. The second issue is the price of electricity. The member for Cockburn as energy minister could not keep the lights on. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re losing the plot! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The opposition failed to provide an essential service. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I remember it well. For four days this state did not have electricity. There was no storm; there was no inclement weather; the former government just ran out of electricity. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr E.S. Ripper : That is not right! Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : “That is not right!” I remember it. Does any other member remember it? We all remember it. The media remembers it. The public remembers it. The former government ran out of electricity. Members opposite could not maintain an essential service. Now they are concerned about air conditioning in Perth households. The Leader of the Opposition should get his values right, because he is right out of touch with modern Western Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr E.S. Ripper : I think you will find I am in touch on air conditioning, my friend! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition is right out of touch with helping people in genuine need.
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