❓ Question regarding improvements to country power supplies is answered by discussing new power station construction, government investment, and criticism of the previous government's energy policies, alongside condolences for a linesman's death.
AnsweredQoN 494Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Government’s efforts to improve the reliability of country power supplies. Have there been recent developments on that front? Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Eyre for his question. Before I answer the question, I advise the House of the tragic death this morning of a Western Power linesman who was undertaking repair work after last night’s storm. I am sure all members of the House would want me to express their deepest sympathies to the linesman’s family, his friends and his work colleagues. We ought to reflect on the contribution that linesmen make to the community, the difficult circumstances in which they work and the risks they take. I confirm that there will be a full investigation by the Energy Safety Directorate and WorkCover WA into this tragic incident, which occurred at 9.30 this morning. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Whereabouts did it occur, minister? Mr E.S. RIPPER: In Carlisle. I turn now to the question asked by the member for Eyre. I think he will be pleased to learn that Western Power has selected StateWest Power Pty Ltd as the preferred bidder to build new power stations in five remote towns: Marble Bar, Nullagine, Menzies, Laverton and Gascoyne Junction. Dr G.I. Gallop: Gascoyne Junction? Mr E.S. RIPPER: In one day Gascoyne Junction will have a power station and a school. Mr Speaker, that is a good result for Gascoyne Junction. This is all part of Western Power’s push to modernise power generation throughout Western Australia. The new power stations will be more efficient and friendlier to the environment and will deliver better performance and reliability to country customers. The power stations will use modern diesel-generated technology, which is cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient. Of course, the project will also boost regional employment and spending during the construction phase, which is expected to begin in January next year. The power stations will be operational by late 2005. I want to make a couple of comments, since people will be facing a choice in due course of whether they want the Government in power or the alternative Government. We should look at what the previous Government said it would do and what it did for the electricity system. Previous government members talked a lot, but we have taken action. The latest project brings to 19 the number of new power stations built or planned for regional WA since this Government came to office. Our commitment to improve the reliability of power supplies is also reflected in our investment of $1.8 billion to be spent on the electricity network over the next four years. Whether customers are connected to the south west grid or they are off grid, Western Power and the Government are committed to delivering better quality power supplies to those people. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Tell us about Ravensthorpe. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I thank the member for Eyre for his question. Before I answer the question, I advise the House of the tragic death this morning of a Western Power linesman who was undertaking repair work after last night’s storm. I am sure all members of the House would want me to express their deepest sympathies to the linesman’s family, his friends and his work colleagues. We ought to reflect on the contribution that linesmen make to the community, the difficult circumstances in which they work and the risks they take. I confirm that there will be a full investigation by the Energy Safety Directorate and WorkCover WA into this tragic incident, which occurred at 9.30 this morning. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Whereabouts did it occur, minister? Mr E.S. RIPPER: In Carlisle. I turn now to the question asked by the member for Eyre. I think he will be pleased to learn that Western Power has selected StateWest Power Pty Ltd as the preferred bidder to build new power stations in five remote towns: Marble Bar, Nullagine, Menzies, Laverton and Gascoyne Junction. Dr G.I. Gallop: Gascoyne Junction? Mr E.S. RIPPER: In one day Gascoyne Junction will have a power station and a school. Mr Speaker, that is a good result for Gascoyne Junction. This is all part of Western Power’s push to modernise power generation throughout Western Australia. The new power stations will be more efficient and friendlier to the environment and will deliver better performance and reliability to country customers. The power stations will use modern diesel-generated technology, which is cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient. Of course, the project will also boost regional employment and spending during the construction phase, which is expected to begin in January next year. The power stations will be operational by late 2005. I want to make a couple of comments, since people will be facing a choice in due course of whether they want the Government in power or the alternative Government. We should look at what the previous Government said it would do and what it did for the electricity system. Previous government members talked a lot, but we have taken action. The latest project brings to 19 the number of new power stations built or planned for regional WA since this Government came to office. Our commitment to improve the reliability of power supplies is also reflected in our investment of $1.8 billion to be spent on the electricity network over the next four years. Whether customers are connected to the south west grid or they are off grid, Western Power and the Government are committed to delivering better quality power supplies to those people. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Tell us about Ravensthorpe. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
I thank the member for Eyre for his question. Before I answer the question, I advise the House of the tragic death this morning of a Western Power linesman who was undertaking repair work after last night’s storm. I am sure all members of the House would want me to express their deepest sympathies to the linesman’s family, his friends and his work colleagues. We ought to reflect on the contribution that linesmen make to the community, the difficult circumstances in which they work and the risks they take. I confirm that there will be a full investigation by the Energy Safety Directorate and WorkCover WA into this tragic incident, which occurred at 9.30 this morning. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Whereabouts did it occur, minister? Mr E.S. RIPPER: In Carlisle. I turn now to the question asked by the member for Eyre. I think he will be pleased to learn that Western Power has selected StateWest Power Pty Ltd as the preferred bidder to build new power stations in five remote towns: Marble Bar, Nullagine, Menzies, Laverton and Gascoyne Junction. Dr G.I. Gallop: Gascoyne Junction? Mr E.S. RIPPER: In one day Gascoyne Junction will have a power station and a school. Mr Speaker, that is a good result for Gascoyne Junction. This is all part of Western Power’s push to modernise power generation throughout Western Australia. The new power stations will be more efficient and friendlier to the environment and will deliver better performance and reliability to country customers. The power stations will use modern diesel-generated technology, which is cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient. Of course, the project will also boost regional employment and spending during the construction phase, which is expected to begin in January next year. The power stations will be operational by late 2005. I want to make a couple of comments, since people will be facing a choice in due course of whether they want the Government in power or the alternative Government. We should look at what the previous Government said it would do and what it did for the electricity system. Previous government members talked a lot, but we have taken action. The latest project brings to 19 the number of new power stations built or planned for regional WA since this Government came to office. Our commitment to improve the reliability of power supplies is also reflected in our investment of $1.8 billion to be spent on the electricity network over the next four years. Whether customers are connected to the south west grid or they are off grid, Western Power and the Government are committed to delivering better quality power supplies to those people. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Tell us about Ravensthorpe. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
Mr M.W. Trenorden: Whereabouts did it occur, minister? Mr E.S. RIPPER: In Carlisle. I turn now to the question asked by the member for Eyre. I think he will be pleased to learn that Western Power has selected StateWest Power Pty Ltd as the preferred bidder to build new power stations in five remote towns: Marble Bar, Nullagine, Menzies, Laverton and Gascoyne Junction. Dr G.I. Gallop: Gascoyne Junction? Mr E.S. RIPPER: In one day Gascoyne Junction will have a power station and a school. Mr Speaker, that is a good result for Gascoyne Junction. This is all part of Western Power’s push to modernise power generation throughout Western Australia. The new power stations will be more efficient and friendlier to the environment and will deliver better performance and reliability to country customers. The power stations will use modern diesel-generated technology, which is cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient. Of course, the project will also boost regional employment and spending during the construction phase, which is expected to begin in January next year. The power stations will be operational by late 2005. I want to make a couple of comments, since people will be facing a choice in due course of whether they want the Government in power or the alternative Government. We should look at what the previous Government said it would do and what it did for the electricity system. Previous government members talked a lot, but we have taken action. The latest project brings to 19 the number of new power stations built or planned for regional WA since this Government came to office. Our commitment to improve the reliability of power supplies is also reflected in our investment of $1.8 billion to be spent on the electricity network over the next four years. Whether customers are connected to the south west grid or they are off grid, Western Power and the Government are committed to delivering better quality power supplies to those people. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Tell us about Ravensthorpe. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: In Carlisle. I turn now to the question asked by the member for Eyre. I think he will be pleased to learn that Western Power has selected StateWest Power Pty Ltd as the preferred bidder to build new power stations in five remote towns: Marble Bar, Nullagine, Menzies, Laverton and Gascoyne Junction. Dr G.I. Gallop: Gascoyne Junction? Mr E.S. RIPPER: In one day Gascoyne Junction will have a power station and a school. Mr Speaker, that is a good result for Gascoyne Junction. This is all part of Western Power’s push to modernise power generation throughout Western Australia. The new power stations will be more efficient and friendlier to the environment and will deliver better performance and reliability to country customers. The power stations will use modern diesel-generated technology, which is cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient. Of course, the project will also boost regional employment and spending during the construction phase, which is expected to begin in January next year. The power stations will be operational by late 2005. I want to make a couple of comments, since people will be facing a choice in due course of whether they want the Government in power or the alternative Government. We should look at what the previous Government said it would do and what it did for the electricity system. Previous government members talked a lot, but we have taken action. The latest project brings to 19 the number of new power stations built or planned for regional WA since this Government came to office. Our commitment to improve the reliability of power supplies is also reflected in our investment of $1.8 billion to be spent on the electricity network over the next four years. Whether customers are connected to the south west grid or they are off grid, Western Power and the Government are committed to delivering better quality power supplies to those people. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Tell us about Ravensthorpe. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
I turn now to the question asked by the member for Eyre. I think he will be pleased to learn that Western Power has selected StateWest Power Pty Ltd as the preferred bidder to build new power stations in five remote towns: Marble Bar, Nullagine, Menzies, Laverton and Gascoyne Junction. Dr G.I. Gallop: Gascoyne Junction? Mr E.S. RIPPER: In one day Gascoyne Junction will have a power station and a school. Mr Speaker, that is a good result for Gascoyne Junction. This is all part of Western Power’s push to modernise power generation throughout Western Australia. The new power stations will be more efficient and friendlier to the environment and will deliver better performance and reliability to country customers. The power stations will use modern diesel-generated technology, which is cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient. Of course, the project will also boost regional employment and spending during the construction phase, which is expected to begin in January next year. The power stations will be operational by late 2005. I want to make a couple of comments, since people will be facing a choice in due course of whether they want the Government in power or the alternative Government. We should look at what the previous Government said it would do and what it did for the electricity system. Previous government members talked a lot, but we have taken action. The latest project brings to 19 the number of new power stations built or planned for regional WA since this Government came to office. Our commitment to improve the reliability of power supplies is also reflected in our investment of $1.8 billion to be spent on the electricity network over the next four years. Whether customers are connected to the south west grid or they are off grid, Western Power and the Government are committed to delivering better quality power supplies to those people. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Tell us about Ravensthorpe. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
Dr G.I. Gallop: Gascoyne Junction? Mr E.S. RIPPER: In one day Gascoyne Junction will have a power station and a school. Mr Speaker, that is a good result for Gascoyne Junction. This is all part of Western Power’s push to modernise power generation throughout Western Australia. The new power stations will be more efficient and friendlier to the environment and will deliver better performance and reliability to country customers. The power stations will use modern diesel-generated technology, which is cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient. Of course, the project will also boost regional employment and spending during the construction phase, which is expected to begin in January next year. The power stations will be operational by late 2005. I want to make a couple of comments, since people will be facing a choice in due course of whether they want the Government in power or the alternative Government. We should look at what the previous Government said it would do and what it did for the electricity system. Previous government members talked a lot, but we have taken action. The latest project brings to 19 the number of new power stations built or planned for regional WA since this Government came to office. Our commitment to improve the reliability of power supplies is also reflected in our investment of $1.8 billion to be spent on the electricity network over the next four years. Whether customers are connected to the south west grid or they are off grid, Western Power and the Government are committed to delivering better quality power supplies to those people. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Tell us about Ravensthorpe. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: In one day Gascoyne Junction will have a power station and a school. Mr Speaker, that is a good result for Gascoyne Junction. This is all part of Western Power’s push to modernise power generation throughout Western Australia. The new power stations will be more efficient and friendlier to the environment and will deliver better performance and reliability to country customers. The power stations will use modern diesel-generated technology, which is cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient. Of course, the project will also boost regional employment and spending during the construction phase, which is expected to begin in January next year. The power stations will be operational by late 2005. I want to make a couple of comments, since people will be facing a choice in due course of whether they want the Government in power or the alternative Government. We should look at what the previous Government said it would do and what it did for the electricity system. Previous government members talked a lot, but we have taken action. The latest project brings to 19 the number of new power stations built or planned for regional WA since this Government came to office. Our commitment to improve the reliability of power supplies is also reflected in our investment of $1.8 billion to be spent on the electricity network over the next four years. Whether customers are connected to the south west grid or they are off grid, Western Power and the Government are committed to delivering better quality power supplies to those people. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Tell us about Ravensthorpe. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
This is all part of Western Power’s push to modernise power generation throughout Western Australia. The new power stations will be more efficient and friendlier to the environment and will deliver better performance and reliability to country customers. The power stations will use modern diesel-generated technology, which is cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient. Of course, the project will also boost regional employment and spending during the construction phase, which is expected to begin in January next year. The power stations will be operational by late 2005. I want to make a couple of comments, since people will be facing a choice in due course of whether they want the Government in power or the alternative Government. We should look at what the previous Government said it would do and what it did for the electricity system. Previous government members talked a lot, but we have taken action. The latest project brings to 19 the number of new power stations built or planned for regional WA since this Government came to office. Our commitment to improve the reliability of power supplies is also reflected in our investment of $1.8 billion to be spent on the electricity network over the next four years. Whether customers are connected to the south west grid or they are off grid, Western Power and the Government are committed to delivering better quality power supplies to those people. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Tell us about Ravensthorpe. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
I want to make a couple of comments, since people will be facing a choice in due course of whether they want the Government in power or the alternative Government. We should look at what the previous Government said it would do and what it did for the electricity system. Previous government members talked a lot, but we have taken action. The latest project brings to 19 the number of new power stations built or planned for regional WA since this Government came to office. Our commitment to improve the reliability of power supplies is also reflected in our investment of $1.8 billion to be spent on the electricity network over the next four years. Whether customers are connected to the south west grid or they are off grid, Western Power and the Government are committed to delivering better quality power supplies to those people. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Tell us about Ravensthorpe. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
Mr M.W. Trenorden: Tell us about Ravensthorpe. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I thank the member for Eyre for his question. Before I answer the question, I advise the House of the tragic death this morning of a Western Power linesman who was undertaking repair work after last night’s storm. I am sure all members of the House would want me to express their deepest sympathies to the linesman’s family, his friends and his work colleagues. We ought to reflect on the contribution that linesmen make to the community, the difficult circumstances in which they work and the risks they take. I confirm that there will be a full investigation by the Energy Safety Directorate and WorkCover WA into this tragic incident, which occurred at 9.30 this morning. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Whereabouts did it occur, minister? Mr E.S. RIPPER: In Carlisle. I turn now to the question asked by the member for Eyre. I think he will be pleased to learn that Western Power has selected StateWest Power Pty Ltd as the preferred bidder to build new power stations in five remote towns: Marble Bar, Nullagine, Menzies, Laverton and Gascoyne Junction. Dr G.I. Gallop: Gascoyne Junction? Mr E.S. RIPPER: In one day Gascoyne Junction will have a power station and a school. Mr Speaker, that is a good result for Gascoyne Junction. This is all part of Western Power’s push to modernise power generation throughout Western Australia. The new power stations will be more efficient and friendlier to the environment and will deliver better performance and reliability to country customers. The power stations will use modern diesel-generated technology, which is cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient. Of course, the project will also boost regional employment and spending during the construction phase, which is expected to begin in January next year. The power stations will be operational by late 2005. I want to make a couple of comments, since people will be facing a choice in due course of whether they want the Government in power or the alternative Government. We should look at what the previous Government said it would do and what it did for the electricity system. Previous government members talked a lot, but we have taken action. The latest project brings to 19 the number of new power stations built or planned for regional WA since this Government came to office. Our commitment to improve the reliability of power supplies is also reflected in our investment of $1.8 billion to be spent on the electricity network over the next four years. Whether customers are connected to the south west grid or they are off grid, Western Power and the Government are committed to delivering better quality power supplies to those people. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Tell us about Ravensthorpe. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
I thank the member for Eyre for his question. Before I answer the question, I advise the House of the tragic death this morning of a Western Power linesman who was undertaking repair work after last night’s storm. I am sure all members of the House would want me to express their deepest sympathies to the linesman’s family, his friends and his work colleagues. We ought to reflect on the contribution that linesmen make to the community, the difficult circumstances in which they work and the risks they take. I confirm that there will be a full investigation by the Energy Safety Directorate and WorkCover WA into this tragic incident, which occurred at 9.30 this morning. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Whereabouts did it occur, minister? Mr E.S. RIPPER: In Carlisle. I turn now to the question asked by the member for Eyre. I think he will be pleased to learn that Western Power has selected StateWest Power Pty Ltd as the preferred bidder to build new power stations in five remote towns: Marble Bar, Nullagine, Menzies, Laverton and Gascoyne Junction. Dr G.I. Gallop: Gascoyne Junction? Mr E.S. RIPPER: In one day Gascoyne Junction will have a power station and a school. Mr Speaker, that is a good result for Gascoyne Junction. This is all part of Western Power’s push to modernise power generation throughout Western Australia. The new power stations will be more efficient and friendlier to the environment and will deliver better performance and reliability to country customers. The power stations will use modern diesel-generated technology, which is cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient. Of course, the project will also boost regional employment and spending during the construction phase, which is expected to begin in January next year. The power stations will be operational by late 2005. I want to make a couple of comments, since people will be facing a choice in due course of whether they want the Government in power or the alternative Government. We should look at what the previous Government said it would do and what it did for the electricity system. Previous government members talked a lot, but we have taken action. The latest project brings to 19 the number of new power stations built or planned for regional WA since this Government came to office. Our commitment to improve the reliability of power supplies is also reflected in our investment of $1.8 billion to be spent on the electricity network over the next four years. Whether customers are connected to the south west grid or they are off grid, Western Power and the Government are committed to delivering better quality power supplies to those people. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Tell us about Ravensthorpe. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
Mr M.W. Trenorden: Whereabouts did it occur, minister? Mr E.S. RIPPER: In Carlisle. I turn now to the question asked by the member for Eyre. I think he will be pleased to learn that Western Power has selected StateWest Power Pty Ltd as the preferred bidder to build new power stations in five remote towns: Marble Bar, Nullagine, Menzies, Laverton and Gascoyne Junction. Dr G.I. Gallop: Gascoyne Junction? Mr E.S. RIPPER: In one day Gascoyne Junction will have a power station and a school. Mr Speaker, that is a good result for Gascoyne Junction. This is all part of Western Power’s push to modernise power generation throughout Western Australia. The new power stations will be more efficient and friendlier to the environment and will deliver better performance and reliability to country customers. The power stations will use modern diesel-generated technology, which is cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient. Of course, the project will also boost regional employment and spending during the construction phase, which is expected to begin in January next year. The power stations will be operational by late 2005. I want to make a couple of comments, since people will be facing a choice in due course of whether they want the Government in power or the alternative Government. We should look at what the previous Government said it would do and what it did for the electricity system. Previous government members talked a lot, but we have taken action. The latest project brings to 19 the number of new power stations built or planned for regional WA since this Government came to office. Our commitment to improve the reliability of power supplies is also reflected in our investment of $1.8 billion to be spent on the electricity network over the next four years. Whether customers are connected to the south west grid or they are off grid, Western Power and the Government are committed to delivering better quality power supplies to those people. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Tell us about Ravensthorpe. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: In Carlisle. I turn now to the question asked by the member for Eyre. I think he will be pleased to learn that Western Power has selected StateWest Power Pty Ltd as the preferred bidder to build new power stations in five remote towns: Marble Bar, Nullagine, Menzies, Laverton and Gascoyne Junction. Dr G.I. Gallop: Gascoyne Junction? Mr E.S. RIPPER: In one day Gascoyne Junction will have a power station and a school. Mr Speaker, that is a good result for Gascoyne Junction. This is all part of Western Power’s push to modernise power generation throughout Western Australia. The new power stations will be more efficient and friendlier to the environment and will deliver better performance and reliability to country customers. The power stations will use modern diesel-generated technology, which is cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient. Of course, the project will also boost regional employment and spending during the construction phase, which is expected to begin in January next year. The power stations will be operational by late 2005. I want to make a couple of comments, since people will be facing a choice in due course of whether they want the Government in power or the alternative Government. We should look at what the previous Government said it would do and what it did for the electricity system. Previous government members talked a lot, but we have taken action. The latest project brings to 19 the number of new power stations built or planned for regional WA since this Government came to office. Our commitment to improve the reliability of power supplies is also reflected in our investment of $1.8 billion to be spent on the electricity network over the next four years. Whether customers are connected to the south west grid or they are off grid, Western Power and the Government are committed to delivering better quality power supplies to those people. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Tell us about Ravensthorpe. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
I turn now to the question asked by the member for Eyre. I think he will be pleased to learn that Western Power has selected StateWest Power Pty Ltd as the preferred bidder to build new power stations in five remote towns: Marble Bar, Nullagine, Menzies, Laverton and Gascoyne Junction. Dr G.I. Gallop: Gascoyne Junction? Mr E.S. RIPPER: In one day Gascoyne Junction will have a power station and a school. Mr Speaker, that is a good result for Gascoyne Junction. This is all part of Western Power’s push to modernise power generation throughout Western Australia. The new power stations will be more efficient and friendlier to the environment and will deliver better performance and reliability to country customers. The power stations will use modern diesel-generated technology, which is cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient. Of course, the project will also boost regional employment and spending during the construction phase, which is expected to begin in January next year. The power stations will be operational by late 2005. I want to make a couple of comments, since people will be facing a choice in due course of whether they want the Government in power or the alternative Government. We should look at what the previous Government said it would do and what it did for the electricity system. Previous government members talked a lot, but we have taken action. The latest project brings to 19 the number of new power stations built or planned for regional WA since this Government came to office. Our commitment to improve the reliability of power supplies is also reflected in our investment of $1.8 billion to be spent on the electricity network over the next four years. Whether customers are connected to the south west grid or they are off grid, Western Power and the Government are committed to delivering better quality power supplies to those people. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Tell us about Ravensthorpe. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
Dr G.I. Gallop: Gascoyne Junction? Mr E.S. RIPPER: In one day Gascoyne Junction will have a power station and a school. Mr Speaker, that is a good result for Gascoyne Junction. This is all part of Western Power’s push to modernise power generation throughout Western Australia. The new power stations will be more efficient and friendlier to the environment and will deliver better performance and reliability to country customers. The power stations will use modern diesel-generated technology, which is cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient. Of course, the project will also boost regional employment and spending during the construction phase, which is expected to begin in January next year. The power stations will be operational by late 2005. I want to make a couple of comments, since people will be facing a choice in due course of whether they want the Government in power or the alternative Government. We should look at what the previous Government said it would do and what it did for the electricity system. Previous government members talked a lot, but we have taken action. The latest project brings to 19 the number of new power stations built or planned for regional WA since this Government came to office. Our commitment to improve the reliability of power supplies is also reflected in our investment of $1.8 billion to be spent on the electricity network over the next four years. Whether customers are connected to the south west grid or they are off grid, Western Power and the Government are committed to delivering better quality power supplies to those people. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Tell us about Ravensthorpe. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: In one day Gascoyne Junction will have a power station and a school. Mr Speaker, that is a good result for Gascoyne Junction. This is all part of Western Power’s push to modernise power generation throughout Western Australia. The new power stations will be more efficient and friendlier to the environment and will deliver better performance and reliability to country customers. The power stations will use modern diesel-generated technology, which is cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient. Of course, the project will also boost regional employment and spending during the construction phase, which is expected to begin in January next year. The power stations will be operational by late 2005. I want to make a couple of comments, since people will be facing a choice in due course of whether they want the Government in power or the alternative Government. We should look at what the previous Government said it would do and what it did for the electricity system. Previous government members talked a lot, but we have taken action. The latest project brings to 19 the number of new power stations built or planned for regional WA since this Government came to office. Our commitment to improve the reliability of power supplies is also reflected in our investment of $1.8 billion to be spent on the electricity network over the next four years. Whether customers are connected to the south west grid or they are off grid, Western Power and the Government are committed to delivering better quality power supplies to those people. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Tell us about Ravensthorpe. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
This is all part of Western Power’s push to modernise power generation throughout Western Australia. The new power stations will be more efficient and friendlier to the environment and will deliver better performance and reliability to country customers. The power stations will use modern diesel-generated technology, which is cleaner, quieter and more fuel efficient. Of course, the project will also boost regional employment and spending during the construction phase, which is expected to begin in January next year. The power stations will be operational by late 2005. I want to make a couple of comments, since people will be facing a choice in due course of whether they want the Government in power or the alternative Government. We should look at what the previous Government said it would do and what it did for the electricity system. Previous government members talked a lot, but we have taken action. The latest project brings to 19 the number of new power stations built or planned for regional WA since this Government came to office. Our commitment to improve the reliability of power supplies is also reflected in our investment of $1.8 billion to be spent on the electricity network over the next four years. Whether customers are connected to the south west grid or they are off grid, Western Power and the Government are committed to delivering better quality power supplies to those people. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Tell us about Ravensthorpe. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
I want to make a couple of comments, since people will be facing a choice in due course of whether they want the Government in power or the alternative Government. We should look at what the previous Government said it would do and what it did for the electricity system. Previous government members talked a lot, but we have taken action. The latest project brings to 19 the number of new power stations built or planned for regional WA since this Government came to office. Our commitment to improve the reliability of power supplies is also reflected in our investment of $1.8 billion to be spent on the electricity network over the next four years. Whether customers are connected to the south west grid or they are off grid, Western Power and the Government are committed to delivering better quality power supplies to those people. Mr M.W. Trenorden: Tell us about Ravensthorpe. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
Mr M.W. Trenorden: Tell us about Ravensthorpe. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the National Party should listen to the next part of my answer because I will talk about what members opposite did when his party was in the coalition and they had a chance to do something about energy. What did they do? They sold AlintaGas, breaking an explicit promise not to. They drew up plans to sell Western Power, but they concealed those plans from the public and the Parliament. They presided over the loss of 1 000 staff from Western Power and, despite repeated requests from seriously concerned public servants, they failed to provide for independent monitoring of Western Power’s performance and safety standards. They did one other thing. The Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, undermined the longstanding principle of equal power prices no matter where people lived in the State. He introduced a higher tariff for some regional businesses. The Leader of the National Party and his members sat stunned like rabbits in the spotlight while that happened. National Party members let the Leader of the Opposition, when he was Minister for Energy, do that to them. I remind the House of an excerpt from the minutes of a meeting on 29 January 1998 between the former minister and the then Managing Director of Western Power. The document states - Minister wishes to tie Broome, Mid West and Esperance generation solutions with his regional pricing solution. The uniform tariff mentality must be broken. That was the Leader of the Opposition’s policy when he was the Minister for Energy. When we see the National Party cuddling up to someone like the Leader of the Opposition, we can conclude only that there is one country party in Western Australia: it is not the National Party; it is not the new country party; it is the Labor Party.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
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.