❓ Opposition leader McGowan questions Premier Barnett about Deputy Premier Hames' ability to manage both Health and Tourism portfolios effectively, given perceived issues in both sectors. Barnett defends Hames' performance and commitment.
AnsweredQoN 210Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DEPUTY PREMIER — PORTFOLIO RESPONSIBILITIES
210. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
Before asking my question, I acknowledge the students from
Trinity College in the public gallery this afternoon.
I refer the Premier to the admission from his deputy that he
is a part-time Minister for Tourism and his statement —
Tourism stuff tends to be after
hours, so a lot of night time and weekend stuff; whereas, health is during the
week.
Given the significant troubles in the health and tourism
portfolios, I ask —
(1) With there
still being no permanent director general of Health, does it not concern the
Premier that the Minister for Health only feels he has to provide leadership in
that portfolio on a nine-to-five weekday basis?
(2) Does not
the struggling Western Australian tourism industry deserve a minister who takes
that portfolio and its issues seriously?
(3) Will the
Premier remove one portfolio from the member for Dawesville so that he can
devote the necessary time and leadership to the other?
210. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
Before asking my question, I acknowledge the students from
Trinity College in the public gallery this afternoon.
I refer the Premier to the admission from his deputy that he
is a part-time Minister for Tourism and his statement —
Tourism stuff tends to be after
hours, so a lot of night time and weekend stuff; whereas, health is during the
week.
Given the significant troubles in the health and tourism
portfolios, I ask —
(1) With there
still being no permanent director general of Health, does it not concern the
Premier that the Minister for Health only feels he has to provide leadership in
that portfolio on a nine-to-five weekday basis?
(2) Does not
the struggling Western Australian tourism industry deserve a minister who takes
that portfolio and its issues seriously?
(3) Will the
Premier remove one portfolio from the member for Dawesville so that he can
devote the necessary time and leadership to the other?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3)
The answer to the question is no, I will not. Some members might recall that
when the Gallop government was first elected and announced its portfolios, it
actually forgot tourism. It was not included on the list. The Gallop government
actually forgot it, such was its commitment to tourism.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It is true; it forgot! I remember because I was sitting over there. Geoff
Gallop forgot to include tourism in his cabinet.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
That is a bit of history.
The Deputy Premier, Dr Kim Hames, is an outstanding health
minister. We are about —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Right. Can members please let the Premier answer the question. I will allow a
supplementary question.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
We have a matter of public interest on this subject today, and I will take some
time.
Mr P.B. Watson : It
will be like the president of the Melbourne Football Club coming to support the
coach!
The SPEAKER : I
call the member for Albany to order for the first time. Will you let the
Premier answer so that we can move on? Thank you.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Under the leadership of the Minister for Health, we have seen an effective
rebuilding of our public health system—it is extraordinary—in
both metropolitan Perth and country areas of the state. Over $5 billion—close
to $7 billion—has been invested. These are big and complex projects,
particularly the Fiona Stanley Hospital project. It will be a world-leading
hospital. We have seen enormous reforms with the four-hour rule. We have seen
the south west health initiatives, upgrading regional hospitals. We have seen
attention to and funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service—something
the Labor Party in government described as an interest group. We have seen
enormous funding going into St John Ambulance—it goes on and on—and
care in the home. Members opposite criticise an outstanding performance.
Mr M. McGowan : You
were away for the last week, obviously. You missed it.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Gee; I read the newspapers.
Members opposite can, as they will, try to denigrate our
public hospital system. They will fail in that. They may try to denigrate the
Deputy Premier. His record in health surpasses that of every previous health
minister in this state's history, without exception.
Tourism is an important portfolio. With our Minister for
Tourism, we now have a direct air service to China. That is a pretty important
achievement. We have a vibrant events program in both metropolitan Perth and
country areas. Once a month, look at the program published in The West Australian about what is on.
There are fantastic programs throughout the state. Can he do two jobs? Yes. He
could probably do a third because he is Deputy Premier and he does that well,
too.
The answer to the question is no, I will not. Some members might recall that
when the Gallop government was first elected and announced its portfolios, it
actually forgot tourism. It was not included on the list. The Gallop government
actually forgot it, such was its commitment to tourism.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
It is true; it forgot! I remember because I was sitting over there. Geoff
Gallop forgot to include tourism in his cabinet.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
That is a bit of history.
The Deputy Premier, Dr Kim Hames, is an outstanding health
minister. We are about —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Right. Can members please let the Premier answer the question. I will allow a
supplementary question.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
We have a matter of public interest on this subject today, and I will take some
time.
Mr P.B. Watson : It
will be like the president of the Melbourne Football Club coming to support the
coach!
The SPEAKER : I
call the member for Albany to order for the first time. Will you let the
Premier answer so that we can move on? Thank you.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Under the leadership of the Minister for Health, we have seen an effective
rebuilding of our public health system—it is extraordinary—in
both metropolitan Perth and country areas of the state. Over $5 billion—close
to $7 billion—has been invested. These are big and complex projects,
particularly the Fiona Stanley Hospital project. It will be a world-leading
hospital. We have seen enormous reforms with the four-hour rule. We have seen
the south west health initiatives, upgrading regional hospitals. We have seen
attention to and funding for the Royal Flying Doctor Service—something
the Labor Party in government described as an interest group. We have seen
enormous funding going into St John Ambulance—it goes on and on—and
care in the home. Members opposite criticise an outstanding performance.
Mr M. McGowan : You
were away for the last week, obviously. You missed it.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Gee; I read the newspapers.
Members opposite can, as they will, try to denigrate our
public hospital system. They will fail in that. They may try to denigrate the
Deputy Premier. His record in health surpasses that of every previous health
minister in this state's history, without exception.
Tourism is an important portfolio. With our Minister for
Tourism, we now have a direct air service to China. That is a pretty important
achievement. We have a vibrant events program in both metropolitan Perth and
country areas. Once a month, look at the program published in The West Australian about what is on.
There are fantastic programs throughout the state. Can he do two jobs? Yes. He
could probably do a third because he is Deputy Premier and he does that well,
too.
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