❓ A parliamentary question criticises the Premier's decision to provide free entry to the Perth Royal Show for children under 15, arguing that the funds could be better used to support mental health programs and elective surgery.
AnsweredQoN 592Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the Premier to his blatant vote-buying announcement today that he will grant children under 15 years of age free entry to the Perth Royal Show at a cost of more than $1.75 million. (1) Is the Premier aware that for less than one-third of the cost of his vote-buying stunt, the Government could reinstate the only mental health program in this State for children under five? (2) Is the Premier aware that for less than half of the cost of his stunt, the Government could continue a program for 12-year-olds with serious mental problems to provide early intervention and keep them out of the juvenile justice system and include in that program children at risk of suicide who cannot get counselling? Mr R.C. Kucera: You hate anybody having fun. Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: The member for Yokine can smile. Mr R.C. Kucera: You’ve got to be miserable, don’t you? Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: I am about this. The member for Yokine should listen to find out why. (3) Does the Premier believe that this stunt is more important than providing elective surgery to patients, such as Mrs Fran Lomas, who is in the gallery today, who has been waiting 12 months to have a six centimetre branchial cyst cut out of her neck, and who was told yesterday that she has another 12 months to wait? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I will begin by making it clear to this Parliament that we on this side of the House are passionate believers in the work of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. It has been my privilege to meet many people associated with that society since being elected to Parliament. It is an outstanding organisation that promotes agricultural improvement, rural and regional development and community development in the regions. What is more, every year the Royal Agricultural Society brings city and country together through the royal show. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont. The Government has been thinking about this matter for some time to find a way in which it can assist the Royal Agricultural Society and properly celebrate its centenary. What better way to do that than to encourage more young people to go to the royal show? This initiative will encourage our young people to go to the show. It has been warmly received by the Royal Agricultural Society. It will mean more young people going to the royal show and learning about rural and regional Western Australia and taking the cause of rural and regional Western Australia with them through the rest of their lives. On top of that I note - obviously this has not dawned on the Opposition, although I think it is quite happy to take the medallions to the schools - that it is the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony. We have put a lot of focus on that and we have engaged in a lot of activities that are connected to it. One of those is the heritage icons program. There has been enormous public interest in that program. I was very proud today to say that royal show is one of the Western Australia’s great icons. I refer to the second part of the question. No Government in Western Australia’s history has given greater priority to our health system than my Government. Only last Sunday I announced the most comprehensive and extensive program to deliver accommodation to mentally ill people throughout Western Australia. That achievement is based on good official management. The Minister for Health has announced initiatives to upgrade emergency departments, and those initiatives are now flowing through. Initiatives to tackle waiting lists are now flowing through. None of that means that there are not still people on waiting lists in Western Australia. We are working hard to ensure that those people get treatment in the time that should be available to them. As a Government, we have put in the resources to do that, and we will continue to do that. However, it is extraordinary that in this year - the centenary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont and the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony - members of the Opposition are not willing to support activities that celebrate those important events. We are proud of our partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society. It is a magnificent organisation. The work that is does for the people of Western Australia is reflected in this initiative. The money from this initiative will go to that society and it will mean that many Western Australian youngsters who might not have been able to go to this magnificent event will now be able to go.
(1) Is the Premier aware that for less than one-third of the cost of his vote-buying stunt, the Government could reinstate the only mental health program in this State for children under five? (2) Is the Premier aware that for less than half of the cost of his stunt, the Government could continue a program for 12-year-olds with serious mental problems to provide early intervention and keep them out of the juvenile justice system and include in that program children at risk of suicide who cannot get counselling? Mr R.C. Kucera: You hate anybody having fun. Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: The member for Yokine can smile. Mr R.C. Kucera: You’ve got to be miserable, don’t you? Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: I am about this. The member for Yokine should listen to find out why. (3) Does the Premier believe that this stunt is more important than providing elective surgery to patients, such as Mrs Fran Lomas, who is in the gallery today, who has been waiting 12 months to have a six centimetre branchial cyst cut out of her neck, and who was told yesterday that she has another 12 months to wait? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I will begin by making it clear to this Parliament that we on this side of the House are passionate believers in the work of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. It has been my privilege to meet many people associated with that society since being elected to Parliament. It is an outstanding organisation that promotes agricultural improvement, rural and regional development and community development in the regions. What is more, every year the Royal Agricultural Society brings city and country together through the royal show. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont. The Government has been thinking about this matter for some time to find a way in which it can assist the Royal Agricultural Society and properly celebrate its centenary. What better way to do that than to encourage more young people to go to the royal show? This initiative will encourage our young people to go to the show. It has been warmly received by the Royal Agricultural Society. It will mean more young people going to the royal show and learning about rural and regional Western Australia and taking the cause of rural and regional Western Australia with them through the rest of their lives. On top of that I note - obviously this has not dawned on the Opposition, although I think it is quite happy to take the medallions to the schools - that it is the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony. We have put a lot of focus on that and we have engaged in a lot of activities that are connected to it. One of those is the heritage icons program. There has been enormous public interest in that program. I was very proud today to say that royal show is one of the Western Australia’s great icons. I refer to the second part of the question. No Government in Western Australia’s history has given greater priority to our health system than my Government. Only last Sunday I announced the most comprehensive and extensive program to deliver accommodation to mentally ill people throughout Western Australia. That achievement is based on good official management. The Minister for Health has announced initiatives to upgrade emergency departments, and those initiatives are now flowing through. Initiatives to tackle waiting lists are now flowing through. None of that means that there are not still people on waiting lists in Western Australia. We are working hard to ensure that those people get treatment in the time that should be available to them. As a Government, we have put in the resources to do that, and we will continue to do that. However, it is extraordinary that in this year - the centenary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont and the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony - members of the Opposition are not willing to support activities that celebrate those important events. We are proud of our partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society. It is a magnificent organisation. The work that is does for the people of Western Australia is reflected in this initiative. The money from this initiative will go to that society and it will mean that many Western Australian youngsters who might not have been able to go to this magnificent event will now be able to go.
(2) Is the Premier aware that for less than half of the cost of his stunt, the Government could continue a program for 12-year-olds with serious mental problems to provide early intervention and keep them out of the juvenile justice system and include in that program children at risk of suicide who cannot get counselling? Mr R.C. Kucera: You hate anybody having fun. Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: The member for Yokine can smile. Mr R.C. Kucera: You’ve got to be miserable, don’t you? Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: I am about this. The member for Yokine should listen to find out why. (3) Does the Premier believe that this stunt is more important than providing elective surgery to patients, such as Mrs Fran Lomas, who is in the gallery today, who has been waiting 12 months to have a six centimetre branchial cyst cut out of her neck, and who was told yesterday that she has another 12 months to wait? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I will begin by making it clear to this Parliament that we on this side of the House are passionate believers in the work of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. It has been my privilege to meet many people associated with that society since being elected to Parliament. It is an outstanding organisation that promotes agricultural improvement, rural and regional development and community development in the regions. What is more, every year the Royal Agricultural Society brings city and country together through the royal show. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont. The Government has been thinking about this matter for some time to find a way in which it can assist the Royal Agricultural Society and properly celebrate its centenary. What better way to do that than to encourage more young people to go to the royal show? This initiative will encourage our young people to go to the show. It has been warmly received by the Royal Agricultural Society. It will mean more young people going to the royal show and learning about rural and regional Western Australia and taking the cause of rural and regional Western Australia with them through the rest of their lives. On top of that I note - obviously this has not dawned on the Opposition, although I think it is quite happy to take the medallions to the schools - that it is the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony. We have put a lot of focus on that and we have engaged in a lot of activities that are connected to it. One of those is the heritage icons program. There has been enormous public interest in that program. I was very proud today to say that royal show is one of the Western Australia’s great icons. I refer to the second part of the question. No Government in Western Australia’s history has given greater priority to our health system than my Government. Only last Sunday I announced the most comprehensive and extensive program to deliver accommodation to mentally ill people throughout Western Australia. That achievement is based on good official management. The Minister for Health has announced initiatives to upgrade emergency departments, and those initiatives are now flowing through. Initiatives to tackle waiting lists are now flowing through. None of that means that there are not still people on waiting lists in Western Australia. We are working hard to ensure that those people get treatment in the time that should be available to them. As a Government, we have put in the resources to do that, and we will continue to do that. However, it is extraordinary that in this year - the centenary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont and the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony - members of the Opposition are not willing to support activities that celebrate those important events. We are proud of our partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society. It is a magnificent organisation. The work that is does for the people of Western Australia is reflected in this initiative. The money from this initiative will go to that society and it will mean that many Western Australian youngsters who might not have been able to go to this magnificent event will now be able to go.
Mr R.C. Kucera: You hate anybody having fun. Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: The member for Yokine can smile. Mr R.C. Kucera: You’ve got to be miserable, don’t you? Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: I am about this. The member for Yokine should listen to find out why. (3) Does the Premier believe that this stunt is more important than providing elective surgery to patients, such as Mrs Fran Lomas, who is in the gallery today, who has been waiting 12 months to have a six centimetre branchial cyst cut out of her neck, and who was told yesterday that she has another 12 months to wait? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I will begin by making it clear to this Parliament that we on this side of the House are passionate believers in the work of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. It has been my privilege to meet many people associated with that society since being elected to Parliament. It is an outstanding organisation that promotes agricultural improvement, rural and regional development and community development in the regions. What is more, every year the Royal Agricultural Society brings city and country together through the royal show. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont. The Government has been thinking about this matter for some time to find a way in which it can assist the Royal Agricultural Society and properly celebrate its centenary. What better way to do that than to encourage more young people to go to the royal show? This initiative will encourage our young people to go to the show. It has been warmly received by the Royal Agricultural Society. It will mean more young people going to the royal show and learning about rural and regional Western Australia and taking the cause of rural and regional Western Australia with them through the rest of their lives. On top of that I note - obviously this has not dawned on the Opposition, although I think it is quite happy to take the medallions to the schools - that it is the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony. We have put a lot of focus on that and we have engaged in a lot of activities that are connected to it. One of those is the heritage icons program. There has been enormous public interest in that program. I was very proud today to say that royal show is one of the Western Australia’s great icons. I refer to the second part of the question. No Government in Western Australia’s history has given greater priority to our health system than my Government. Only last Sunday I announced the most comprehensive and extensive program to deliver accommodation to mentally ill people throughout Western Australia. That achievement is based on good official management. The Minister for Health has announced initiatives to upgrade emergency departments, and those initiatives are now flowing through. Initiatives to tackle waiting lists are now flowing through. None of that means that there are not still people on waiting lists in Western Australia. We are working hard to ensure that those people get treatment in the time that should be available to them. As a Government, we have put in the resources to do that, and we will continue to do that. However, it is extraordinary that in this year - the centenary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont and the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony - members of the Opposition are not willing to support activities that celebrate those important events. We are proud of our partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society. It is a magnificent organisation. The work that is does for the people of Western Australia is reflected in this initiative. The money from this initiative will go to that society and it will mean that many Western Australian youngsters who might not have been able to go to this magnificent event will now be able to go.
Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: The member for Yokine can smile. Mr R.C. Kucera: You’ve got to be miserable, don’t you? Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: I am about this. The member for Yokine should listen to find out why. (3) Does the Premier believe that this stunt is more important than providing elective surgery to patients, such as Mrs Fran Lomas, who is in the gallery today, who has been waiting 12 months to have a six centimetre branchial cyst cut out of her neck, and who was told yesterday that she has another 12 months to wait? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I will begin by making it clear to this Parliament that we on this side of the House are passionate believers in the work of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. It has been my privilege to meet many people associated with that society since being elected to Parliament. It is an outstanding organisation that promotes agricultural improvement, rural and regional development and community development in the regions. What is more, every year the Royal Agricultural Society brings city and country together through the royal show. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont. The Government has been thinking about this matter for some time to find a way in which it can assist the Royal Agricultural Society and properly celebrate its centenary. What better way to do that than to encourage more young people to go to the royal show? This initiative will encourage our young people to go to the show. It has been warmly received by the Royal Agricultural Society. It will mean more young people going to the royal show and learning about rural and regional Western Australia and taking the cause of rural and regional Western Australia with them through the rest of their lives. On top of that I note - obviously this has not dawned on the Opposition, although I think it is quite happy to take the medallions to the schools - that it is the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony. We have put a lot of focus on that and we have engaged in a lot of activities that are connected to it. One of those is the heritage icons program. There has been enormous public interest in that program. I was very proud today to say that royal show is one of the Western Australia’s great icons. I refer to the second part of the question. No Government in Western Australia’s history has given greater priority to our health system than my Government. Only last Sunday I announced the most comprehensive and extensive program to deliver accommodation to mentally ill people throughout Western Australia. That achievement is based on good official management. The Minister for Health has announced initiatives to upgrade emergency departments, and those initiatives are now flowing through. Initiatives to tackle waiting lists are now flowing through. None of that means that there are not still people on waiting lists in Western Australia. We are working hard to ensure that those people get treatment in the time that should be available to them. As a Government, we have put in the resources to do that, and we will continue to do that. However, it is extraordinary that in this year - the centenary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont and the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony - members of the Opposition are not willing to support activities that celebrate those important events. We are proud of our partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society. It is a magnificent organisation. The work that is does for the people of Western Australia is reflected in this initiative. The money from this initiative will go to that society and it will mean that many Western Australian youngsters who might not have been able to go to this magnificent event will now be able to go.
Mr R.C. Kucera: You’ve got to be miserable, don’t you? Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: I am about this. The member for Yokine should listen to find out why. (3) Does the Premier believe that this stunt is more important than providing elective surgery to patients, such as Mrs Fran Lomas, who is in the gallery today, who has been waiting 12 months to have a six centimetre branchial cyst cut out of her neck, and who was told yesterday that she has another 12 months to wait? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I will begin by making it clear to this Parliament that we on this side of the House are passionate believers in the work of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. It has been my privilege to meet many people associated with that society since being elected to Parliament. It is an outstanding organisation that promotes agricultural improvement, rural and regional development and community development in the regions. What is more, every year the Royal Agricultural Society brings city and country together through the royal show. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont. The Government has been thinking about this matter for some time to find a way in which it can assist the Royal Agricultural Society and properly celebrate its centenary. What better way to do that than to encourage more young people to go to the royal show? This initiative will encourage our young people to go to the show. It has been warmly received by the Royal Agricultural Society. It will mean more young people going to the royal show and learning about rural and regional Western Australia and taking the cause of rural and regional Western Australia with them through the rest of their lives. On top of that I note - obviously this has not dawned on the Opposition, although I think it is quite happy to take the medallions to the schools - that it is the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony. We have put a lot of focus on that and we have engaged in a lot of activities that are connected to it. One of those is the heritage icons program. There has been enormous public interest in that program. I was very proud today to say that royal show is one of the Western Australia’s great icons. I refer to the second part of the question. No Government in Western Australia’s history has given greater priority to our health system than my Government. Only last Sunday I announced the most comprehensive and extensive program to deliver accommodation to mentally ill people throughout Western Australia. That achievement is based on good official management. The Minister for Health has announced initiatives to upgrade emergency departments, and those initiatives are now flowing through. Initiatives to tackle waiting lists are now flowing through. None of that means that there are not still people on waiting lists in Western Australia. We are working hard to ensure that those people get treatment in the time that should be available to them. As a Government, we have put in the resources to do that, and we will continue to do that. However, it is extraordinary that in this year - the centenary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont and the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony - members of the Opposition are not willing to support activities that celebrate those important events. We are proud of our partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society. It is a magnificent organisation. The work that is does for the people of Western Australia is reflected in this initiative. The money from this initiative will go to that society and it will mean that many Western Australian youngsters who might not have been able to go to this magnificent event will now be able to go.
Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: I am about this. The member for Yokine should listen to find out why. (3) Does the Premier believe that this stunt is more important than providing elective surgery to patients, such as Mrs Fran Lomas, who is in the gallery today, who has been waiting 12 months to have a six centimetre branchial cyst cut out of her neck, and who was told yesterday that she has another 12 months to wait? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I will begin by making it clear to this Parliament that we on this side of the House are passionate believers in the work of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. It has been my privilege to meet many people associated with that society since being elected to Parliament. It is an outstanding organisation that promotes agricultural improvement, rural and regional development and community development in the regions. What is more, every year the Royal Agricultural Society brings city and country together through the royal show. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont. The Government has been thinking about this matter for some time to find a way in which it can assist the Royal Agricultural Society and properly celebrate its centenary. What better way to do that than to encourage more young people to go to the royal show? This initiative will encourage our young people to go to the show. It has been warmly received by the Royal Agricultural Society. It will mean more young people going to the royal show and learning about rural and regional Western Australia and taking the cause of rural and regional Western Australia with them through the rest of their lives. On top of that I note - obviously this has not dawned on the Opposition, although I think it is quite happy to take the medallions to the schools - that it is the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony. We have put a lot of focus on that and we have engaged in a lot of activities that are connected to it. One of those is the heritage icons program. There has been enormous public interest in that program. I was very proud today to say that royal show is one of the Western Australia’s great icons. I refer to the second part of the question. No Government in Western Australia’s history has given greater priority to our health system than my Government. Only last Sunday I announced the most comprehensive and extensive program to deliver accommodation to mentally ill people throughout Western Australia. That achievement is based on good official management. The Minister for Health has announced initiatives to upgrade emergency departments, and those initiatives are now flowing through. Initiatives to tackle waiting lists are now flowing through. None of that means that there are not still people on waiting lists in Western Australia. We are working hard to ensure that those people get treatment in the time that should be available to them. As a Government, we have put in the resources to do that, and we will continue to do that. However, it is extraordinary that in this year - the centenary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont and the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony - members of the Opposition are not willing to support activities that celebrate those important events. We are proud of our partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society. It is a magnificent organisation. The work that is does for the people of Western Australia is reflected in this initiative. The money from this initiative will go to that society and it will mean that many Western Australian youngsters who might not have been able to go to this magnificent event will now be able to go.
(3) Does the Premier believe that this stunt is more important than providing elective surgery to patients, such as Mrs Fran Lomas, who is in the gallery today, who has been waiting 12 months to have a six centimetre branchial cyst cut out of her neck, and who was told yesterday that she has another 12 months to wait? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I will begin by making it clear to this Parliament that we on this side of the House are passionate believers in the work of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. It has been my privilege to meet many people associated with that society since being elected to Parliament. It is an outstanding organisation that promotes agricultural improvement, rural and regional development and community development in the regions. What is more, every year the Royal Agricultural Society brings city and country together through the royal show. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont. The Government has been thinking about this matter for some time to find a way in which it can assist the Royal Agricultural Society and properly celebrate its centenary. What better way to do that than to encourage more young people to go to the royal show? This initiative will encourage our young people to go to the show. It has been warmly received by the Royal Agricultural Society. It will mean more young people going to the royal show and learning about rural and regional Western Australia and taking the cause of rural and regional Western Australia with them through the rest of their lives. On top of that I note - obviously this has not dawned on the Opposition, although I think it is quite happy to take the medallions to the schools - that it is the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony. We have put a lot of focus on that and we have engaged in a lot of activities that are connected to it. One of those is the heritage icons program. There has been enormous public interest in that program. I was very proud today to say that royal show is one of the Western Australia’s great icons. I refer to the second part of the question. No Government in Western Australia’s history has given greater priority to our health system than my Government. Only last Sunday I announced the most comprehensive and extensive program to deliver accommodation to mentally ill people throughout Western Australia. That achievement is based on good official management. The Minister for Health has announced initiatives to upgrade emergency departments, and those initiatives are now flowing through. Initiatives to tackle waiting lists are now flowing through. None of that means that there are not still people on waiting lists in Western Australia. We are working hard to ensure that those people get treatment in the time that should be available to them. As a Government, we have put in the resources to do that, and we will continue to do that. However, it is extraordinary that in this year - the centenary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont and the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony - members of the Opposition are not willing to support activities that celebrate those important events. We are proud of our partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society. It is a magnificent organisation. The work that is does for the people of Western Australia is reflected in this initiative. The money from this initiative will go to that society and it will mean that many Western Australian youngsters who might not have been able to go to this magnificent event will now be able to go.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I will begin by making it clear to this Parliament that we on this side of the House are passionate believers in the work of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. It has been my privilege to meet many people associated with that society since being elected to Parliament. It is an outstanding organisation that promotes agricultural improvement, rural and regional development and community development in the regions. What is more, every year the Royal Agricultural Society brings city and country together through the royal show. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont. The Government has been thinking about this matter for some time to find a way in which it can assist the Royal Agricultural Society and properly celebrate its centenary. What better way to do that than to encourage more young people to go to the royal show? This initiative will encourage our young people to go to the show. It has been warmly received by the Royal Agricultural Society. It will mean more young people going to the royal show and learning about rural and regional Western Australia and taking the cause of rural and regional Western Australia with them through the rest of their lives. On top of that I note - obviously this has not dawned on the Opposition, although I think it is quite happy to take the medallions to the schools - that it is the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony. We have put a lot of focus on that and we have engaged in a lot of activities that are connected to it. One of those is the heritage icons program. There has been enormous public interest in that program. I was very proud today to say that royal show is one of the Western Australia’s great icons. I refer to the second part of the question. No Government in Western Australia’s history has given greater priority to our health system than my Government. Only last Sunday I announced the most comprehensive and extensive program to deliver accommodation to mentally ill people throughout Western Australia. That achievement is based on good official management. The Minister for Health has announced initiatives to upgrade emergency departments, and those initiatives are now flowing through. Initiatives to tackle waiting lists are now flowing through. None of that means that there are not still people on waiting lists in Western Australia. We are working hard to ensure that those people get treatment in the time that should be available to them. As a Government, we have put in the resources to do that, and we will continue to do that. However, it is extraordinary that in this year - the centenary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont and the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony - members of the Opposition are not willing to support activities that celebrate those important events. We are proud of our partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society. It is a magnificent organisation. The work that is does for the people of Western Australia is reflected in this initiative. The money from this initiative will go to that society and it will mean that many Western Australian youngsters who might not have been able to go to this magnificent event will now be able to go.
(1)-(3) I will begin by making it clear to this Parliament that we on this side of the House are passionate believers in the work of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. It has been my privilege to meet many people associated with that society since being elected to Parliament. It is an outstanding organisation that promotes agricultural improvement, rural and regional development and community development in the regions. What is more, every year the Royal Agricultural Society brings city and country together through the royal show. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont. The Government has been thinking about this matter for some time to find a way in which it can assist the Royal Agricultural Society and properly celebrate its centenary. What better way to do that than to encourage more young people to go to the royal show? This initiative will encourage our young people to go to the show. It has been warmly received by the Royal Agricultural Society. It will mean more young people going to the royal show and learning about rural and regional Western Australia and taking the cause of rural and regional Western Australia with them through the rest of their lives. On top of that I note - obviously this has not dawned on the Opposition, although I think it is quite happy to take the medallions to the schools - that it is the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony. We have put a lot of focus on that and we have engaged in a lot of activities that are connected to it. One of those is the heritage icons program. There has been enormous public interest in that program. I was very proud today to say that royal show is one of the Western Australia’s great icons. I refer to the second part of the question. No Government in Western Australia’s history has given greater priority to our health system than my Government. Only last Sunday I announced the most comprehensive and extensive program to deliver accommodation to mentally ill people throughout Western Australia. That achievement is based on good official management. The Minister for Health has announced initiatives to upgrade emergency departments, and those initiatives are now flowing through. Initiatives to tackle waiting lists are now flowing through. None of that means that there are not still people on waiting lists in Western Australia. We are working hard to ensure that those people get treatment in the time that should be available to them. As a Government, we have put in the resources to do that, and we will continue to do that. However, it is extraordinary that in this year - the centenary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont and the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony - members of the Opposition are not willing to support activities that celebrate those important events. We are proud of our partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society. It is a magnificent organisation. The work that is does for the people of Western Australia is reflected in this initiative. The money from this initiative will go to that society and it will mean that many Western Australian youngsters who might not have been able to go to this magnificent event will now be able to go.
(1) Is the Premier aware that for less than one-third of the cost of his vote-buying stunt, the Government could reinstate the only mental health program in this State for children under five? (2) Is the Premier aware that for less than half of the cost of his stunt, the Government could continue a program for 12-year-olds with serious mental problems to provide early intervention and keep them out of the juvenile justice system and include in that program children at risk of suicide who cannot get counselling? Mr R.C. Kucera: You hate anybody having fun. Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: The member for Yokine can smile. Mr R.C. Kucera: You’ve got to be miserable, don’t you? Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: I am about this. The member for Yokine should listen to find out why. (3) Does the Premier believe that this stunt is more important than providing elective surgery to patients, such as Mrs Fran Lomas, who is in the gallery today, who has been waiting 12 months to have a six centimetre branchial cyst cut out of her neck, and who was told yesterday that she has another 12 months to wait? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I will begin by making it clear to this Parliament that we on this side of the House are passionate believers in the work of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. It has been my privilege to meet many people associated with that society since being elected to Parliament. It is an outstanding organisation that promotes agricultural improvement, rural and regional development and community development in the regions. What is more, every year the Royal Agricultural Society brings city and country together through the royal show. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont. The Government has been thinking about this matter for some time to find a way in which it can assist the Royal Agricultural Society and properly celebrate its centenary. What better way to do that than to encourage more young people to go to the royal show? This initiative will encourage our young people to go to the show. It has been warmly received by the Royal Agricultural Society. It will mean more young people going to the royal show and learning about rural and regional Western Australia and taking the cause of rural and regional Western Australia with them through the rest of their lives. On top of that I note - obviously this has not dawned on the Opposition, although I think it is quite happy to take the medallions to the schools - that it is the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony. We have put a lot of focus on that and we have engaged in a lot of activities that are connected to it. One of those is the heritage icons program. There has been enormous public interest in that program. I was very proud today to say that royal show is one of the Western Australia’s great icons. I refer to the second part of the question. No Government in Western Australia’s history has given greater priority to our health system than my Government. Only last Sunday I announced the most comprehensive and extensive program to deliver accommodation to mentally ill people throughout Western Australia. That achievement is based on good official management. The Minister for Health has announced initiatives to upgrade emergency departments, and those initiatives are now flowing through. Initiatives to tackle waiting lists are now flowing through. None of that means that there are not still people on waiting lists in Western Australia. We are working hard to ensure that those people get treatment in the time that should be available to them. As a Government, we have put in the resources to do that, and we will continue to do that. However, it is extraordinary that in this year - the centenary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont and the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony - members of the Opposition are not willing to support activities that celebrate those important events. We are proud of our partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society. It is a magnificent organisation. The work that is does for the people of Western Australia is reflected in this initiative. The money from this initiative will go to that society and it will mean that many Western Australian youngsters who might not have been able to go to this magnificent event will now be able to go.
(2) Is the Premier aware that for less than half of the cost of his stunt, the Government could continue a program for 12-year-olds with serious mental problems to provide early intervention and keep them out of the juvenile justice system and include in that program children at risk of suicide who cannot get counselling? Mr R.C. Kucera: You hate anybody having fun. Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: The member for Yokine can smile. Mr R.C. Kucera: You’ve got to be miserable, don’t you? Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: I am about this. The member for Yokine should listen to find out why. (3) Does the Premier believe that this stunt is more important than providing elective surgery to patients, such as Mrs Fran Lomas, who is in the gallery today, who has been waiting 12 months to have a six centimetre branchial cyst cut out of her neck, and who was told yesterday that she has another 12 months to wait? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I will begin by making it clear to this Parliament that we on this side of the House are passionate believers in the work of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. It has been my privilege to meet many people associated with that society since being elected to Parliament. It is an outstanding organisation that promotes agricultural improvement, rural and regional development and community development in the regions. What is more, every year the Royal Agricultural Society brings city and country together through the royal show. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont. The Government has been thinking about this matter for some time to find a way in which it can assist the Royal Agricultural Society and properly celebrate its centenary. What better way to do that than to encourage more young people to go to the royal show? This initiative will encourage our young people to go to the show. It has been warmly received by the Royal Agricultural Society. It will mean more young people going to the royal show and learning about rural and regional Western Australia and taking the cause of rural and regional Western Australia with them through the rest of their lives. On top of that I note - obviously this has not dawned on the Opposition, although I think it is quite happy to take the medallions to the schools - that it is the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony. We have put a lot of focus on that and we have engaged in a lot of activities that are connected to it. One of those is the heritage icons program. There has been enormous public interest in that program. I was very proud today to say that royal show is one of the Western Australia’s great icons. I refer to the second part of the question. No Government in Western Australia’s history has given greater priority to our health system than my Government. Only last Sunday I announced the most comprehensive and extensive program to deliver accommodation to mentally ill people throughout Western Australia. That achievement is based on good official management. The Minister for Health has announced initiatives to upgrade emergency departments, and those initiatives are now flowing through. Initiatives to tackle waiting lists are now flowing through. None of that means that there are not still people on waiting lists in Western Australia. We are working hard to ensure that those people get treatment in the time that should be available to them. As a Government, we have put in the resources to do that, and we will continue to do that. However, it is extraordinary that in this year - the centenary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont and the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony - members of the Opposition are not willing to support activities that celebrate those important events. We are proud of our partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society. It is a magnificent organisation. The work that is does for the people of Western Australia is reflected in this initiative. The money from this initiative will go to that society and it will mean that many Western Australian youngsters who might not have been able to go to this magnificent event will now be able to go.
Mr R.C. Kucera: You hate anybody having fun. Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: The member for Yokine can smile. Mr R.C. Kucera: You’ve got to be miserable, don’t you? Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: I am about this. The member for Yokine should listen to find out why. (3) Does the Premier believe that this stunt is more important than providing elective surgery to patients, such as Mrs Fran Lomas, who is in the gallery today, who has been waiting 12 months to have a six centimetre branchial cyst cut out of her neck, and who was told yesterday that she has another 12 months to wait? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I will begin by making it clear to this Parliament that we on this side of the House are passionate believers in the work of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. It has been my privilege to meet many people associated with that society since being elected to Parliament. It is an outstanding organisation that promotes agricultural improvement, rural and regional development and community development in the regions. What is more, every year the Royal Agricultural Society brings city and country together through the royal show. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont. The Government has been thinking about this matter for some time to find a way in which it can assist the Royal Agricultural Society and properly celebrate its centenary. What better way to do that than to encourage more young people to go to the royal show? This initiative will encourage our young people to go to the show. It has been warmly received by the Royal Agricultural Society. It will mean more young people going to the royal show and learning about rural and regional Western Australia and taking the cause of rural and regional Western Australia with them through the rest of their lives. On top of that I note - obviously this has not dawned on the Opposition, although I think it is quite happy to take the medallions to the schools - that it is the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony. We have put a lot of focus on that and we have engaged in a lot of activities that are connected to it. One of those is the heritage icons program. There has been enormous public interest in that program. I was very proud today to say that royal show is one of the Western Australia’s great icons. I refer to the second part of the question. No Government in Western Australia’s history has given greater priority to our health system than my Government. Only last Sunday I announced the most comprehensive and extensive program to deliver accommodation to mentally ill people throughout Western Australia. That achievement is based on good official management. The Minister for Health has announced initiatives to upgrade emergency departments, and those initiatives are now flowing through. Initiatives to tackle waiting lists are now flowing through. None of that means that there are not still people on waiting lists in Western Australia. We are working hard to ensure that those people get treatment in the time that should be available to them. As a Government, we have put in the resources to do that, and we will continue to do that. However, it is extraordinary that in this year - the centenary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont and the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony - members of the Opposition are not willing to support activities that celebrate those important events. We are proud of our partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society. It is a magnificent organisation. The work that is does for the people of Western Australia is reflected in this initiative. The money from this initiative will go to that society and it will mean that many Western Australian youngsters who might not have been able to go to this magnificent event will now be able to go.
Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: The member for Yokine can smile. Mr R.C. Kucera: You’ve got to be miserable, don’t you? Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: I am about this. The member for Yokine should listen to find out why. (3) Does the Premier believe that this stunt is more important than providing elective surgery to patients, such as Mrs Fran Lomas, who is in the gallery today, who has been waiting 12 months to have a six centimetre branchial cyst cut out of her neck, and who was told yesterday that she has another 12 months to wait? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I will begin by making it clear to this Parliament that we on this side of the House are passionate believers in the work of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. It has been my privilege to meet many people associated with that society since being elected to Parliament. It is an outstanding organisation that promotes agricultural improvement, rural and regional development and community development in the regions. What is more, every year the Royal Agricultural Society brings city and country together through the royal show. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont. The Government has been thinking about this matter for some time to find a way in which it can assist the Royal Agricultural Society and properly celebrate its centenary. What better way to do that than to encourage more young people to go to the royal show? This initiative will encourage our young people to go to the show. It has been warmly received by the Royal Agricultural Society. It will mean more young people going to the royal show and learning about rural and regional Western Australia and taking the cause of rural and regional Western Australia with them through the rest of their lives. On top of that I note - obviously this has not dawned on the Opposition, although I think it is quite happy to take the medallions to the schools - that it is the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony. We have put a lot of focus on that and we have engaged in a lot of activities that are connected to it. One of those is the heritage icons program. There has been enormous public interest in that program. I was very proud today to say that royal show is one of the Western Australia’s great icons. I refer to the second part of the question. No Government in Western Australia’s history has given greater priority to our health system than my Government. Only last Sunday I announced the most comprehensive and extensive program to deliver accommodation to mentally ill people throughout Western Australia. That achievement is based on good official management. The Minister for Health has announced initiatives to upgrade emergency departments, and those initiatives are now flowing through. Initiatives to tackle waiting lists are now flowing through. None of that means that there are not still people on waiting lists in Western Australia. We are working hard to ensure that those people get treatment in the time that should be available to them. As a Government, we have put in the resources to do that, and we will continue to do that. However, it is extraordinary that in this year - the centenary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont and the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony - members of the Opposition are not willing to support activities that celebrate those important events. We are proud of our partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society. It is a magnificent organisation. The work that is does for the people of Western Australia is reflected in this initiative. The money from this initiative will go to that society and it will mean that many Western Australian youngsters who might not have been able to go to this magnificent event will now be able to go.
Mr R.C. Kucera: You’ve got to be miserable, don’t you? Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: I am about this. The member for Yokine should listen to find out why. (3) Does the Premier believe that this stunt is more important than providing elective surgery to patients, such as Mrs Fran Lomas, who is in the gallery today, who has been waiting 12 months to have a six centimetre branchial cyst cut out of her neck, and who was told yesterday that she has another 12 months to wait? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I will begin by making it clear to this Parliament that we on this side of the House are passionate believers in the work of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. It has been my privilege to meet many people associated with that society since being elected to Parliament. It is an outstanding organisation that promotes agricultural improvement, rural and regional development and community development in the regions. What is more, every year the Royal Agricultural Society brings city and country together through the royal show. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont. The Government has been thinking about this matter for some time to find a way in which it can assist the Royal Agricultural Society and properly celebrate its centenary. What better way to do that than to encourage more young people to go to the royal show? This initiative will encourage our young people to go to the show. It has been warmly received by the Royal Agricultural Society. It will mean more young people going to the royal show and learning about rural and regional Western Australia and taking the cause of rural and regional Western Australia with them through the rest of their lives. On top of that I note - obviously this has not dawned on the Opposition, although I think it is quite happy to take the medallions to the schools - that it is the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony. We have put a lot of focus on that and we have engaged in a lot of activities that are connected to it. One of those is the heritage icons program. There has been enormous public interest in that program. I was very proud today to say that royal show is one of the Western Australia’s great icons. I refer to the second part of the question. No Government in Western Australia’s history has given greater priority to our health system than my Government. Only last Sunday I announced the most comprehensive and extensive program to deliver accommodation to mentally ill people throughout Western Australia. That achievement is based on good official management. The Minister for Health has announced initiatives to upgrade emergency departments, and those initiatives are now flowing through. Initiatives to tackle waiting lists are now flowing through. None of that means that there are not still people on waiting lists in Western Australia. We are working hard to ensure that those people get treatment in the time that should be available to them. As a Government, we have put in the resources to do that, and we will continue to do that. However, it is extraordinary that in this year - the centenary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont and the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony - members of the Opposition are not willing to support activities that celebrate those important events. We are proud of our partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society. It is a magnificent organisation. The work that is does for the people of Western Australia is reflected in this initiative. The money from this initiative will go to that society and it will mean that many Western Australian youngsters who might not have been able to go to this magnificent event will now be able to go.
Mr D.F. BARRON-SULLIVAN: I am about this. The member for Yokine should listen to find out why. (3) Does the Premier believe that this stunt is more important than providing elective surgery to patients, such as Mrs Fran Lomas, who is in the gallery today, who has been waiting 12 months to have a six centimetre branchial cyst cut out of her neck, and who was told yesterday that she has another 12 months to wait? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I will begin by making it clear to this Parliament that we on this side of the House are passionate believers in the work of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. It has been my privilege to meet many people associated with that society since being elected to Parliament. It is an outstanding organisation that promotes agricultural improvement, rural and regional development and community development in the regions. What is more, every year the Royal Agricultural Society brings city and country together through the royal show. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont. The Government has been thinking about this matter for some time to find a way in which it can assist the Royal Agricultural Society and properly celebrate its centenary. What better way to do that than to encourage more young people to go to the royal show? This initiative will encourage our young people to go to the show. It has been warmly received by the Royal Agricultural Society. It will mean more young people going to the royal show and learning about rural and regional Western Australia and taking the cause of rural and regional Western Australia with them through the rest of their lives. On top of that I note - obviously this has not dawned on the Opposition, although I think it is quite happy to take the medallions to the schools - that it is the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony. We have put a lot of focus on that and we have engaged in a lot of activities that are connected to it. One of those is the heritage icons program. There has been enormous public interest in that program. I was very proud today to say that royal show is one of the Western Australia’s great icons. I refer to the second part of the question. No Government in Western Australia’s history has given greater priority to our health system than my Government. Only last Sunday I announced the most comprehensive and extensive program to deliver accommodation to mentally ill people throughout Western Australia. That achievement is based on good official management. The Minister for Health has announced initiatives to upgrade emergency departments, and those initiatives are now flowing through. Initiatives to tackle waiting lists are now flowing through. None of that means that there are not still people on waiting lists in Western Australia. We are working hard to ensure that those people get treatment in the time that should be available to them. As a Government, we have put in the resources to do that, and we will continue to do that. However, it is extraordinary that in this year - the centenary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont and the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony - members of the Opposition are not willing to support activities that celebrate those important events. We are proud of our partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society. It is a magnificent organisation. The work that is does for the people of Western Australia is reflected in this initiative. The money from this initiative will go to that society and it will mean that many Western Australian youngsters who might not have been able to go to this magnificent event will now be able to go.
(3) Does the Premier believe that this stunt is more important than providing elective surgery to patients, such as Mrs Fran Lomas, who is in the gallery today, who has been waiting 12 months to have a six centimetre branchial cyst cut out of her neck, and who was told yesterday that she has another 12 months to wait? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I will begin by making it clear to this Parliament that we on this side of the House are passionate believers in the work of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. It has been my privilege to meet many people associated with that society since being elected to Parliament. It is an outstanding organisation that promotes agricultural improvement, rural and regional development and community development in the regions. What is more, every year the Royal Agricultural Society brings city and country together through the royal show. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont. The Government has been thinking about this matter for some time to find a way in which it can assist the Royal Agricultural Society and properly celebrate its centenary. What better way to do that than to encourage more young people to go to the royal show? This initiative will encourage our young people to go to the show. It has been warmly received by the Royal Agricultural Society. It will mean more young people going to the royal show and learning about rural and regional Western Australia and taking the cause of rural and regional Western Australia with them through the rest of their lives. On top of that I note - obviously this has not dawned on the Opposition, although I think it is quite happy to take the medallions to the schools - that it is the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony. We have put a lot of focus on that and we have engaged in a lot of activities that are connected to it. One of those is the heritage icons program. There has been enormous public interest in that program. I was very proud today to say that royal show is one of the Western Australia’s great icons. I refer to the second part of the question. No Government in Western Australia’s history has given greater priority to our health system than my Government. Only last Sunday I announced the most comprehensive and extensive program to deliver accommodation to mentally ill people throughout Western Australia. That achievement is based on good official management. The Minister for Health has announced initiatives to upgrade emergency departments, and those initiatives are now flowing through. Initiatives to tackle waiting lists are now flowing through. None of that means that there are not still people on waiting lists in Western Australia. We are working hard to ensure that those people get treatment in the time that should be available to them. As a Government, we have put in the resources to do that, and we will continue to do that. However, it is extraordinary that in this year - the centenary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont and the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony - members of the Opposition are not willing to support activities that celebrate those important events. We are proud of our partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society. It is a magnificent organisation. The work that is does for the people of Western Australia is reflected in this initiative. The money from this initiative will go to that society and it will mean that many Western Australian youngsters who might not have been able to go to this magnificent event will now be able to go.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) I will begin by making it clear to this Parliament that we on this side of the House are passionate believers in the work of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. It has been my privilege to meet many people associated with that society since being elected to Parliament. It is an outstanding organisation that promotes agricultural improvement, rural and regional development and community development in the regions. What is more, every year the Royal Agricultural Society brings city and country together through the royal show. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont. The Government has been thinking about this matter for some time to find a way in which it can assist the Royal Agricultural Society and properly celebrate its centenary. What better way to do that than to encourage more young people to go to the royal show? This initiative will encourage our young people to go to the show. It has been warmly received by the Royal Agricultural Society. It will mean more young people going to the royal show and learning about rural and regional Western Australia and taking the cause of rural and regional Western Australia with them through the rest of their lives. On top of that I note - obviously this has not dawned on the Opposition, although I think it is quite happy to take the medallions to the schools - that it is the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony. We have put a lot of focus on that and we have engaged in a lot of activities that are connected to it. One of those is the heritage icons program. There has been enormous public interest in that program. I was very proud today to say that royal show is one of the Western Australia’s great icons. I refer to the second part of the question. No Government in Western Australia’s history has given greater priority to our health system than my Government. Only last Sunday I announced the most comprehensive and extensive program to deliver accommodation to mentally ill people throughout Western Australia. That achievement is based on good official management. The Minister for Health has announced initiatives to upgrade emergency departments, and those initiatives are now flowing through. Initiatives to tackle waiting lists are now flowing through. None of that means that there are not still people on waiting lists in Western Australia. We are working hard to ensure that those people get treatment in the time that should be available to them. As a Government, we have put in the resources to do that, and we will continue to do that. However, it is extraordinary that in this year - the centenary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont and the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony - members of the Opposition are not willing to support activities that celebrate those important events. We are proud of our partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society. It is a magnificent organisation. The work that is does for the people of Western Australia is reflected in this initiative. The money from this initiative will go to that society and it will mean that many Western Australian youngsters who might not have been able to go to this magnificent event will now be able to go.
(1)-(3) I will begin by making it clear to this Parliament that we on this side of the House are passionate believers in the work of the Royal Agricultural Society of WA. It has been my privilege to meet many people associated with that society since being elected to Parliament. It is an outstanding organisation that promotes agricultural improvement, rural and regional development and community development in the regions. What is more, every year the Royal Agricultural Society brings city and country together through the royal show. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont. The Government has been thinking about this matter for some time to find a way in which it can assist the Royal Agricultural Society and properly celebrate its centenary. What better way to do that than to encourage more young people to go to the royal show? This initiative will encourage our young people to go to the show. It has been warmly received by the Royal Agricultural Society. It will mean more young people going to the royal show and learning about rural and regional Western Australia and taking the cause of rural and regional Western Australia with them through the rest of their lives. On top of that I note - obviously this has not dawned on the Opposition, although I think it is quite happy to take the medallions to the schools - that it is the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony. We have put a lot of focus on that and we have engaged in a lot of activities that are connected to it. One of those is the heritage icons program. There has been enormous public interest in that program. I was very proud today to say that royal show is one of the Western Australia’s great icons. I refer to the second part of the question. No Government in Western Australia’s history has given greater priority to our health system than my Government. Only last Sunday I announced the most comprehensive and extensive program to deliver accommodation to mentally ill people throughout Western Australia. That achievement is based on good official management. The Minister for Health has announced initiatives to upgrade emergency departments, and those initiatives are now flowing through. Initiatives to tackle waiting lists are now flowing through. None of that means that there are not still people on waiting lists in Western Australia. We are working hard to ensure that those people get treatment in the time that should be available to them. As a Government, we have put in the resources to do that, and we will continue to do that. However, it is extraordinary that in this year - the centenary of the Perth Royal Show at Claremont and the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Swan River Colony - members of the Opposition are not willing to support activities that celebrate those important events. We are proud of our partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society. It is a magnificent organisation. The work that is does for the people of Western Australia is reflected in this initiative. The money from this initiative will go to that society and it will mean that many Western Australian youngsters who might not have been able to go to this magnificent event will now be able to go.
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Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.