❓ Opposition Leader Barnett questions Premier Gallop about the financial impact of a proposed desalination plant, citing expert criticism and Water Corporation profits. The Premier denies a new levy and defends the plant as crucial for WA's future water security, contrasting Labor's vision with the opposition's.
AnsweredQoN 601Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT: I will start again, Mr Speaker. I am sure you could not hear me, so I will start again for your benefit. I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: I call the member for Rockingham to order for the first time. I also call the member for Kimberley to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - It is estimated that the impact on the average household bill will be less than a dollar a week. (1) Will the Premier now admit that the impact on water users of his desalination plant will be the equivalent of about $52 a year? (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s - Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT: I will start again, Mr Speaker. I am sure you could not hear me, so I will start again for your benefit. I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: I call the member for Rockingham to order for the first time. I also call the member for Kimberley to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - It is estimated that the impact on the average household bill will be less than a dollar a week. (1) Will the Premier now admit that the impact on water users of his desalination plant will be the equivalent of about $52 a year? (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s - Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT: I will start again, Mr Speaker. I am sure you could not hear me, so I will start again for your benefit. I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: I call the member for Rockingham to order for the first time. I also call the member for Kimberley to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - It is estimated that the impact on the average household bill will be less than a dollar a week. (1) Will the Premier now admit that the impact on water users of his desalination plant will be the equivalent of about $52 a year? (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s - Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT: I will start again, Mr Speaker. I am sure you could not hear me, so I will start again for your benefit. I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: I call the member for Rockingham to order for the first time. I also call the member for Kimberley to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - It is estimated that the impact on the average household bill will be less than a dollar a week. (1) Will the Premier now admit that the impact on water users of his desalination plant will be the equivalent of about $52 a year? (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s - Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: I call the member for Rockingham to order for the first time. I also call the member for Kimberley to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - It is estimated that the impact on the average household bill will be less than a dollar a week. (1) Will the Premier now admit that the impact on water users of his desalination plant will be the equivalent of about $52 a year? (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s - Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: I call the member for Rockingham to order for the first time. I also call the member for Kimberley to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - It is estimated that the impact on the average household bill will be less than a dollar a week. (1) Will the Premier now admit that the impact on water users of his desalination plant will be the equivalent of about $52 a year? (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s - Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: I call the member for Rockingham to order for the first time. I also call the member for Kimberley to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - It is estimated that the impact on the average household bill will be less than a dollar a week. (1) Will the Premier now admit that the impact on water users of his desalination plant will be the equivalent of about $52 a year? (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s - Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Rockingham to order for the first time. I also call the member for Kimberley to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - It is estimated that the impact on the average household bill will be less than a dollar a week. (1) Will the Premier now admit that the impact on water users of his desalination plant will be the equivalent of about $52 a year? (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s - Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT: I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - It is estimated that the impact on the average household bill will be less than a dollar a week. (1) Will the Premier now admit that the impact on water users of his desalination plant will be the equivalent of about $52 a year? (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s - Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
(2) In light of the Water Corporation’s - Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
(2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
(1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT: I will start again, Mr Speaker. I am sure you could not hear me, so I will start again for your benefit. I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: I call the member for Rockingham to order for the first time. I also call the member for Kimberley to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - It is estimated that the impact on the average household bill will be less than a dollar a week. (1) Will the Premier now admit that the impact on water users of his desalination plant will be the equivalent of about $52 a year? (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s - Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT: I will start again, Mr Speaker. I am sure you could not hear me, so I will start again for your benefit. I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: I call the member for Rockingham to order for the first time. I also call the member for Kimberley to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - It is estimated that the impact on the average household bill will be less than a dollar a week. (1) Will the Premier now admit that the impact on water users of his desalination plant will be the equivalent of about $52 a year? (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s - Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT: I will start again, Mr Speaker. I am sure you could not hear me, so I will start again for your benefit. I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: I call the member for Rockingham to order for the first time. I also call the member for Kimberley to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - It is estimated that the impact on the average household bill will be less than a dollar a week. (1) Will the Premier now admit that the impact on water users of his desalination plant will be the equivalent of about $52 a year? (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s - Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: I call the member for Rockingham to order for the first time. I also call the member for Kimberley to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - It is estimated that the impact on the average household bill will be less than a dollar a week. (1) Will the Premier now admit that the impact on water users of his desalination plant will be the equivalent of about $52 a year? (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s - Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: I call the member for Rockingham to order for the first time. I also call the member for Kimberley to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - It is estimated that the impact on the average household bill will be less than a dollar a week. (1) Will the Premier now admit that the impact on water users of his desalination plant will be the equivalent of about $52 a year? (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s - Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: I call the member for Rockingham to order for the first time. I also call the member for Kimberley to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - It is estimated that the impact on the average household bill will be less than a dollar a week. (1) Will the Premier now admit that the impact on water users of his desalination plant will be the equivalent of about $52 a year? (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s - Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Rockingham to order for the first time. I also call the member for Kimberley to order for the first time. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - It is estimated that the impact on the average household bill will be less than a dollar a week. (1) Will the Premier now admit that the impact on water users of his desalination plant will be the equivalent of about $52 a year? (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s - Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT: I refer the Premier to his press release of 29 July announcing a $350 million desalination plant, which water experts have roundly criticised. I quote the Premier - It is estimated that the impact on the average household bill will be less than a dollar a week. (1) Will the Premier now admit that the impact on water users of his desalination plant will be the equivalent of about $52 a year? (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s - Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
(2) In light of the Water Corporation’s - Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT: Shall I start again, Mr Speaker? The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
The SPEAKER: No, continue. Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT: I continue - (2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
(2) In light of the Water Corporation’s massive after-tax profit of $386 million for 2004, an 18 per cent increase on last year, will the Premier now rule out this proposed new levy on water users, both metropolitan and country? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
(1)-(2) There is no levy, there never has been a levy, and there is no proposed levy. When we announced the desalination plant, we indicated to the people of Western Australia what the cost of that plant would be. We illustrated that by reference to what it might mean for a water bill in Western Australia. Any decisions on water tariffs will be made in 2006-07, as they are every year, and they will relate to the circumstances at the time and, of course, to the work currently being done by the Economic Regulation Authority. That has always been the case in relation to the desalination plant, and it is still the case today. The Opposition is obviously following the lead that has been provided for it by the highly misleading headlines in the daily newspaper. The desalination plant is absolutely crucial for the future of Western Australia. Currently there is real pressure on our underground sources of supply. There is also declining rainfall and declining run-off into the dams. We need to make decisions that relate to the future of Western Australia. The desalination plant is such a decision. While the Liberal Party plays petty politics and misleads the public on these issues, we are getting on with the business of dealing with the issues that relate to the future of Western Australia. When it comes to building a better future for Western Australia, there is only one party that can be guaranteed to do the job. That is the Labor Party. Let us look at two issues that illustrate that. The first is railways. On that issue, we can go back 100 years to the first Labor Government in Western Australia, the Daglish Government. The Daglish Government came to power in Western Australia as a minority Government. It did not have the numbers in the Legislative Assembly, and, indeed, there were no Labor members in the Legislative Council, so it had to rely on the Independent member for Geraldton to help it out as a minister in the Legislative Council. That Government eventually fell. The issue that it fell on was its proposal to buy the then Midland Railway Company and put it to use for the people of Western Australia by creating a proper public railway system in Western Australia. Ever since then, it has been the Labor Party that has developed and promoted the rail system in Western Australia. We are looking to the future of Perth with our railway project to Mandurah. However, all we get from the other side is knock, knock, knock. When it comes to water, we have declining rainfall and declining run-off into our dams. This will be continuing into the future. We need to deal with this issue. We have a comprehensive strategy for dealing with this issue. That plan includes a desalination plant. We are building for the future, while members opposite knock, knock, knock and lock themselves into the past. It is very clear that the people of Western Australia will have a choice at the next state election: a party that is dealing with the issues of the future and is building for the future; and a party that is locked into the past and playing petty politics along the way. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the second time.
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.