❓ Question challenges the Minister's apparent change in stance regarding state investment in Doppler radar technology, questioning the rationale behind investing in Geraldton and Albany after criticising previous investments as a federal responsibility. The Minister defends her position by highlighting the need for the Commonwealth to contribute its fair share.
AnsweredQoN 14Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
AGRICULTURE — DOPPLER RADAR
14. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the minister's media statement of 25
January 2019, titled ''Coastal radar upgrade to make WA's
weather service nation's best''.
(1) With
reference to the minister's comments on 15 March 2018, when she described
it as a ''disgrace'' that the former Liberal–National
government had invested in Doppler technology at Newdegate, South Doodlakine
and Watheroo as this was a federal government responsibility, why has she now
changed her tune as she heralds from the rooftops her investment in Geraldton
and Albany?
(2) How much of this $4.6 million investment will be
procured locally in the great southern and midwest regions?
14. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the minister's media statement of 25
January 2019, titled ''Coastal radar upgrade to make WA's
weather service nation's best''.
(1) With
reference to the minister's comments on 15 March 2018, when she described
it as a ''disgrace'' that the former Liberal–National
government had invested in Doppler technology at Newdegate, South Doodlakine
and Watheroo as this was a federal government responsibility, why has she now
changed her tune as she heralds from the rooftops her investment in Geraldton
and Albany?
(2) How much of this $4.6 million investment will be
procured locally in the great southern and midwest regions?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question.
(1)–(2)
I think the member has not necessarily correctly characterised my past
comments. I have recognised the value of the investment in Doppler radar. My
comments about the ''disgrace'' was the fact that it was yet
another example of the commonwealth government not investing. At a recent
Agriculture Ministers' Forum meeting, I was interested to find that New
South Wales is having travails with the Bureau of Meteorology, which I understand
has had its funds cut, and is looking at doing the same thing. I would
characterise my comments on that as saying that we must continue to press the
commonwealth government to pay us its fair share. It is very interesting to
note that the cut by the federal government to the allocation for the Bureau of
Meteorology has really been quite disastrous for the agriculture sector.
Perhaps we can work together to get that turned around.
(1)–(2)
I think the member has not necessarily correctly characterised my past
comments. I have recognised the value of the investment in Doppler radar. My
comments about the ''disgrace'' was the fact that it was yet
another example of the commonwealth government not investing. At a recent
Agriculture Ministers' Forum meeting, I was interested to find that New
South Wales is having travails with the Bureau of Meteorology, which I understand
has had its funds cut, and is looking at doing the same thing. I would
characterise my comments on that as saying that we must continue to press the
commonwealth government to pay us its fair share. It is very interesting to
note that the cut by the federal government to the allocation for the Bureau of
Meteorology has really been quite disastrous for the agriculture sector.
Perhaps we can work together to get that turned around.
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.