Opposition Leader questions Energy Minister about discrepancies between council budget forecasts for street lighting costs and the State Budget. Minister denies cost increases, blaming Labor's carbon tax and accusing councils of misrepresentation.

AnsweredQoN 439Legislative Assembly
Asked
15 August 2013
Portfolio
Energy

QuestionView source ↗

STREET LIGHTING TARIFFS — STATE BUDGET 2013–14
439. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Minister for Energy:
I ask a supplementary question. How does the minister explain
the fact, therefore, that councils across Western Australia are already
budgeting on the basis of an increase in the cost of street lighting of between
three per cent and 11.8 per cent; and will not the fact that this figure is in
the budget cost ordinary families a large amount of money?

AnswerView source ↗

It is actually leading to a reduction in costs. Does the
Leader of the Opposition not understand that?
Several members interjected.
Dr M.D. NAHAN : It
is leading to a reduction in costs! We are actually, except for the Labor Party's
carbon tax, cutting prices; we are cutting them. When it comes to what local
government does, first, I do not believe the Leader of the Opposition—I
do not believe anything he says—and, if they are doing that, they are
misrepresenting the position to their ratepayers.
Point of Order
Mr
B.S. WYATT : Mr Speaker, pursuant to standing order 156, and in light
of the change to the budget from 11.8 per cent to one per cent, perhaps you
could advise whether approval has been given by you for the minister to amend
the tabled paper, being the budget?
The
SPEAKER : That is not a point of order.

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