❓ Opposition Leader Barnett questions Treasurer Ripper about a reported $100 million cost blowout on the New MetroRail project, specifically asking if Ripper knew about it on December 2nd. Ripper avoids a direct 'yes' or 'no' answer, stating a cost blowout isn't confirmed until tender assessments are complete.
AnsweredQoN 33Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Given that the Treasurer knew of the blow-out at the time, and had known for several weeks, I repeat: did the minister know of the $100 million blow-out of the cost of the rail project on 2 December - yes or no? Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
There is not a cost blow-out until all the matters associated with the tender have been assessed. For example, if a tender comes in higher than expected, the Government has a number of possible options. The Government can say that it will re-tender or that it will change the scope of the project so that it will stay within budget. Mr C.J. Barnett: He is fumbling around again. Yes or no? Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition should not ask a question if he does not want the answer. The Government can also say that it will negotiate with the tenderer to reduce the cost of the tender. Of course, I have always known that there are risks associated with a big project like the New MetroRail project. I was not asked about the risks; I was asked about the budget. I answered accurately about the budget. When the budget changed, the Government was open and accountable about it.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: There is not a cost blow-out until all the matters associated with the tender have been assessed. For example, if a tender comes in higher than expected, the Government has a number of possible options. The Government can say that it will re-tender or that it will change the scope of the project so that it will stay within budget. Mr C.J. Barnett: He is fumbling around again. Yes or no? Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition should not ask a question if he does not want the answer. The Government can also say that it will negotiate with the tenderer to reduce the cost of the tender. Of course, I have always known that there are risks associated with a big project like the New MetroRail project. I was not asked about the risks; I was asked about the budget. I answered accurately about the budget. When the budget changed, the Government was open and accountable about it.
There is not a cost blow-out until all the matters associated with the tender have been assessed. For example, if a tender comes in higher than expected, the Government has a number of possible options. The Government can say that it will re-tender or that it will change the scope of the project so that it will stay within budget. Mr C.J. Barnett: He is fumbling around again. Yes or no? Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition should not ask a question if he does not want the answer. The Government can also say that it will negotiate with the tenderer to reduce the cost of the tender. Of course, I have always known that there are risks associated with a big project like the New MetroRail project. I was not asked about the risks; I was asked about the budget. I answered accurately about the budget. When the budget changed, the Government was open and accountable about it.
Mr C.J. Barnett: He is fumbling around again. Yes or no? Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition should not ask a question if he does not want the answer. The Government can also say that it will negotiate with the tenderer to reduce the cost of the tender. Of course, I have always known that there are risks associated with a big project like the New MetroRail project. I was not asked about the risks; I was asked about the budget. I answered accurately about the budget. When the budget changed, the Government was open and accountable about it.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition should not ask a question if he does not want the answer. The Government can also say that it will negotiate with the tenderer to reduce the cost of the tender. Of course, I have always known that there are risks associated with a big project like the New MetroRail project. I was not asked about the risks; I was asked about the budget. I answered accurately about the budget. When the budget changed, the Government was open and accountable about it.
Of course, I have always known that there are risks associated with a big project like the New MetroRail project. I was not asked about the risks; I was asked about the budget. I answered accurately about the budget. When the budget changed, the Government was open and accountable about it.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: There is not a cost blow-out until all the matters associated with the tender have been assessed. For example, if a tender comes in higher than expected, the Government has a number of possible options. The Government can say that it will re-tender or that it will change the scope of the project so that it will stay within budget. Mr C.J. Barnett: He is fumbling around again. Yes or no? Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition should not ask a question if he does not want the answer. The Government can also say that it will negotiate with the tenderer to reduce the cost of the tender. Of course, I have always known that there are risks associated with a big project like the New MetroRail project. I was not asked about the risks; I was asked about the budget. I answered accurately about the budget. When the budget changed, the Government was open and accountable about it.
There is not a cost blow-out until all the matters associated with the tender have been assessed. For example, if a tender comes in higher than expected, the Government has a number of possible options. The Government can say that it will re-tender or that it will change the scope of the project so that it will stay within budget. Mr C.J. Barnett: He is fumbling around again. Yes or no? Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition should not ask a question if he does not want the answer. The Government can also say that it will negotiate with the tenderer to reduce the cost of the tender. Of course, I have always known that there are risks associated with a big project like the New MetroRail project. I was not asked about the risks; I was asked about the budget. I answered accurately about the budget. When the budget changed, the Government was open and accountable about it.
Mr C.J. Barnett: He is fumbling around again. Yes or no? Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition should not ask a question if he does not want the answer. The Government can also say that it will negotiate with the tenderer to reduce the cost of the tender. Of course, I have always known that there are risks associated with a big project like the New MetroRail project. I was not asked about the risks; I was asked about the budget. I answered accurately about the budget. When the budget changed, the Government was open and accountable about it.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition should not ask a question if he does not want the answer. The Government can also say that it will negotiate with the tenderer to reduce the cost of the tender. Of course, I have always known that there are risks associated with a big project like the New MetroRail project. I was not asked about the risks; I was asked about the budget. I answered accurately about the budget. When the budget changed, the Government was open and accountable about it.
Of course, I have always known that there are risks associated with a big project like the New MetroRail project. I was not asked about the risks; I was asked about the budget. I answered accurately about the budget. When the budget changed, the Government was open and accountable about it.
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