❓ Mr. Ainsworth questions the Premier about the Regional Cabinet Subcommittee's role in health budget decisions. The Premier avoids direct answers, emphasizing the upcoming budget announcement and the government's commitment to regional WA.
AnsweredQoN 357Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
REGIONAL CABINET SUBCOMMITTEE 357. Mr AINSWORTH to the Premier: Labor’s “fair go for regional WA” policy established a regional cabinet subcommittee to ensure that no decision that will affect public sector employment in regional Western Australia is made without the prior advice of the subcommittee and to monitor the level and quality of government services in regional WA with a view to improving the equitable delivery of services. (1) Who is the chair of the cabinet regional subcommittee? (2) Did the subcommittee advise the Minister for Health in advance of his decision to cut country-based health services by about $25 million? (3) Will the Premier table the date that the subcommittee met, the agenda of the subcommittee and the written advice of the subcommittee on the health budget? Dr GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) The assumption behind the question from the member is that there is a cut in the health budget. Mr Day: The rural health budget. Dr GALLOP: That was the assumption behind the question. Members should wait to see the health budget tomorrow. They should not talk about distinctions between what may be and what is but, rather, distinctions between what has been and what will be. What will be will be announced tomorrow. There has been a total transformation of the Government’s approach to the regions in Western Australia. First, the Government has ministers for the regions who take a real responsibility in giving advice on regional matters through Cabinet; that process is functioning well. Secondly, the Government has initiated the highly innovative program of regional cabinet visits. Mr Barnett: What? You initiated that? Dr GALLOP: It is a regular process now, not a one-off, second thought. It is a regular and planned part of government in WA; that is a major initiative. Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
REGIONAL CABINET SUBCOMMITTEE
Labor’s “fair go for regional WA” policy established a regional cabinet subcommittee to ensure that no decision that will affect public sector employment in regional Western Australia is made without the prior advice of the subcommittee and to monitor the level and quality of government services in regional WA with a view to improving the equitable delivery of services. (1) Who is the chair of the cabinet regional subcommittee? (2) Did the subcommittee advise the Minister for Health in advance of his decision to cut country-based health services by about $25 million? (3) Will the Premier table the date that the subcommittee met, the agenda of the subcommittee and the written advice of the subcommittee on the health budget? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) The assumption behind the question from the member is that there is a cut in the health budget. Mr Day: The rural health budget. Dr GALLOP: That was the assumption behind the question. Members should wait to see the health budget tomorrow. They should not talk about distinctions between what may be and what is but, rather, distinctions between what has been and what will be. What will be will be announced tomorrow. There has been a total transformation of the Government’s approach to the regions in Western Australia. First, the Government has ministers for the regions who take a real responsibility in giving advice on regional matters through Cabinet; that process is functioning well. Secondly, the Government has initiated the highly innovative program of regional cabinet visits. Mr Barnett: What? You initiated that? Dr GALLOP: It is a regular process now, not a one-off, second thought. It is a regular and planned part of government in WA; that is a major initiative. Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
(1) Who is the chair of the cabinet regional subcommittee? (2) Did the subcommittee advise the Minister for Health in advance of his decision to cut country-based health services by about $25 million? (3) Will the Premier table the date that the subcommittee met, the agenda of the subcommittee and the written advice of the subcommittee on the health budget? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) The assumption behind the question from the member is that there is a cut in the health budget. Mr Day: The rural health budget. Dr GALLOP: That was the assumption behind the question. Members should wait to see the health budget tomorrow. They should not talk about distinctions between what may be and what is but, rather, distinctions between what has been and what will be. What will be will be announced tomorrow. There has been a total transformation of the Government’s approach to the regions in Western Australia. First, the Government has ministers for the regions who take a real responsibility in giving advice on regional matters through Cabinet; that process is functioning well. Secondly, the Government has initiated the highly innovative program of regional cabinet visits. Mr Barnett: What? You initiated that? Dr GALLOP: It is a regular process now, not a one-off, second thought. It is a regular and planned part of government in WA; that is a major initiative. Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
(2) Did the subcommittee advise the Minister for Health in advance of his decision to cut country-based health services by about $25 million? (3) Will the Premier table the date that the subcommittee met, the agenda of the subcommittee and the written advice of the subcommittee on the health budget? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) The assumption behind the question from the member is that there is a cut in the health budget. Mr Day: The rural health budget. Dr GALLOP: That was the assumption behind the question. Members should wait to see the health budget tomorrow. They should not talk about distinctions between what may be and what is but, rather, distinctions between what has been and what will be. What will be will be announced tomorrow. There has been a total transformation of the Government’s approach to the regions in Western Australia. First, the Government has ministers for the regions who take a real responsibility in giving advice on regional matters through Cabinet; that process is functioning well. Secondly, the Government has initiated the highly innovative program of regional cabinet visits. Mr Barnett: What? You initiated that? Dr GALLOP: It is a regular process now, not a one-off, second thought. It is a regular and planned part of government in WA; that is a major initiative. Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
(3) Will the Premier table the date that the subcommittee met, the agenda of the subcommittee and the written advice of the subcommittee on the health budget? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) The assumption behind the question from the member is that there is a cut in the health budget. Mr Day: The rural health budget. Dr GALLOP: That was the assumption behind the question. Members should wait to see the health budget tomorrow. They should not talk about distinctions between what may be and what is but, rather, distinctions between what has been and what will be. What will be will be announced tomorrow. There has been a total transformation of the Government’s approach to the regions in Western Australia. First, the Government has ministers for the regions who take a real responsibility in giving advice on regional matters through Cabinet; that process is functioning well. Secondly, the Government has initiated the highly innovative program of regional cabinet visits. Mr Barnett: What? You initiated that? Dr GALLOP: It is a regular process now, not a one-off, second thought. It is a regular and planned part of government in WA; that is a major initiative. Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) The assumption behind the question from the member is that there is a cut in the health budget. Mr Day: The rural health budget. Dr GALLOP: That was the assumption behind the question. Members should wait to see the health budget tomorrow. They should not talk about distinctions between what may be and what is but, rather, distinctions between what has been and what will be. What will be will be announced tomorrow. There has been a total transformation of the Government’s approach to the regions in Western Australia. First, the Government has ministers for the regions who take a real responsibility in giving advice on regional matters through Cabinet; that process is functioning well. Secondly, the Government has initiated the highly innovative program of regional cabinet visits. Mr Barnett: What? You initiated that? Dr GALLOP: It is a regular process now, not a one-off, second thought. It is a regular and planned part of government in WA; that is a major initiative. Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
(1)-(3) The assumption behind the question from the member is that there is a cut in the health budget. Mr Day: The rural health budget. Dr GALLOP: That was the assumption behind the question. Members should wait to see the health budget tomorrow. They should not talk about distinctions between what may be and what is but, rather, distinctions between what has been and what will be. What will be will be announced tomorrow. There has been a total transformation of the Government’s approach to the regions in Western Australia. First, the Government has ministers for the regions who take a real responsibility in giving advice on regional matters through Cabinet; that process is functioning well. Secondly, the Government has initiated the highly innovative program of regional cabinet visits. Mr Barnett: What? You initiated that? Dr GALLOP: It is a regular process now, not a one-off, second thought. It is a regular and planned part of government in WA; that is a major initiative. Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Mr Day: The rural health budget. Dr GALLOP: That was the assumption behind the question. Members should wait to see the health budget tomorrow. They should not talk about distinctions between what may be and what is but, rather, distinctions between what has been and what will be. What will be will be announced tomorrow. There has been a total transformation of the Government’s approach to the regions in Western Australia. First, the Government has ministers for the regions who take a real responsibility in giving advice on regional matters through Cabinet; that process is functioning well. Secondly, the Government has initiated the highly innovative program of regional cabinet visits. Mr Barnett: What? You initiated that? Dr GALLOP: It is a regular process now, not a one-off, second thought. It is a regular and planned part of government in WA; that is a major initiative. Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Dr GALLOP: That was the assumption behind the question. Members should wait to see the health budget tomorrow. They should not talk about distinctions between what may be and what is but, rather, distinctions between what has been and what will be. What will be will be announced tomorrow. There has been a total transformation of the Government’s approach to the regions in Western Australia. First, the Government has ministers for the regions who take a real responsibility in giving advice on regional matters through Cabinet; that process is functioning well. Secondly, the Government has initiated the highly innovative program of regional cabinet visits. Mr Barnett: What? You initiated that? Dr GALLOP: It is a regular process now, not a one-off, second thought. It is a regular and planned part of government in WA; that is a major initiative. Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Mr Barnett: What? You initiated that? Dr GALLOP: It is a regular process now, not a one-off, second thought. It is a regular and planned part of government in WA; that is a major initiative. Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Dr GALLOP: It is a regular process now, not a one-off, second thought. It is a regular and planned part of government in WA; that is a major initiative. Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
REGIONAL CABINET SUBCOMMITTEE
Labor’s “fair go for regional WA” policy established a regional cabinet subcommittee to ensure that no decision that will affect public sector employment in regional Western Australia is made without the prior advice of the subcommittee and to monitor the level and quality of government services in regional WA with a view to improving the equitable delivery of services. (1) Who is the chair of the cabinet regional subcommittee? (2) Did the subcommittee advise the Minister for Health in advance of his decision to cut country-based health services by about $25 million? (3) Will the Premier table the date that the subcommittee met, the agenda of the subcommittee and the written advice of the subcommittee on the health budget? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) The assumption behind the question from the member is that there is a cut in the health budget. Mr Day: The rural health budget. Dr GALLOP: That was the assumption behind the question. Members should wait to see the health budget tomorrow. They should not talk about distinctions between what may be and what is but, rather, distinctions between what has been and what will be. What will be will be announced tomorrow. There has been a total transformation of the Government’s approach to the regions in Western Australia. First, the Government has ministers for the regions who take a real responsibility in giving advice on regional matters through Cabinet; that process is functioning well. Secondly, the Government has initiated the highly innovative program of regional cabinet visits. Mr Barnett: What? You initiated that? Dr GALLOP: It is a regular process now, not a one-off, second thought. It is a regular and planned part of government in WA; that is a major initiative. Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
(1) Who is the chair of the cabinet regional subcommittee? (2) Did the subcommittee advise the Minister for Health in advance of his decision to cut country-based health services by about $25 million? (3) Will the Premier table the date that the subcommittee met, the agenda of the subcommittee and the written advice of the subcommittee on the health budget? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) The assumption behind the question from the member is that there is a cut in the health budget. Mr Day: The rural health budget. Dr GALLOP: That was the assumption behind the question. Members should wait to see the health budget tomorrow. They should not talk about distinctions between what may be and what is but, rather, distinctions between what has been and what will be. What will be will be announced tomorrow. There has been a total transformation of the Government’s approach to the regions in Western Australia. First, the Government has ministers for the regions who take a real responsibility in giving advice on regional matters through Cabinet; that process is functioning well. Secondly, the Government has initiated the highly innovative program of regional cabinet visits. Mr Barnett: What? You initiated that? Dr GALLOP: It is a regular process now, not a one-off, second thought. It is a regular and planned part of government in WA; that is a major initiative. Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
(2) Did the subcommittee advise the Minister for Health in advance of his decision to cut country-based health services by about $25 million? (3) Will the Premier table the date that the subcommittee met, the agenda of the subcommittee and the written advice of the subcommittee on the health budget? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) The assumption behind the question from the member is that there is a cut in the health budget. Mr Day: The rural health budget. Dr GALLOP: That was the assumption behind the question. Members should wait to see the health budget tomorrow. They should not talk about distinctions between what may be and what is but, rather, distinctions between what has been and what will be. What will be will be announced tomorrow. There has been a total transformation of the Government’s approach to the regions in Western Australia. First, the Government has ministers for the regions who take a real responsibility in giving advice on regional matters through Cabinet; that process is functioning well. Secondly, the Government has initiated the highly innovative program of regional cabinet visits. Mr Barnett: What? You initiated that? Dr GALLOP: It is a regular process now, not a one-off, second thought. It is a regular and planned part of government in WA; that is a major initiative. Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
(3) Will the Premier table the date that the subcommittee met, the agenda of the subcommittee and the written advice of the subcommittee on the health budget? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) The assumption behind the question from the member is that there is a cut in the health budget. Mr Day: The rural health budget. Dr GALLOP: That was the assumption behind the question. Members should wait to see the health budget tomorrow. They should not talk about distinctions between what may be and what is but, rather, distinctions between what has been and what will be. What will be will be announced tomorrow. There has been a total transformation of the Government’s approach to the regions in Western Australia. First, the Government has ministers for the regions who take a real responsibility in giving advice on regional matters through Cabinet; that process is functioning well. Secondly, the Government has initiated the highly innovative program of regional cabinet visits. Mr Barnett: What? You initiated that? Dr GALLOP: It is a regular process now, not a one-off, second thought. It is a regular and planned part of government in WA; that is a major initiative. Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(3) The assumption behind the question from the member is that there is a cut in the health budget. Mr Day: The rural health budget. Dr GALLOP: That was the assumption behind the question. Members should wait to see the health budget tomorrow. They should not talk about distinctions between what may be and what is but, rather, distinctions between what has been and what will be. What will be will be announced tomorrow. There has been a total transformation of the Government’s approach to the regions in Western Australia. First, the Government has ministers for the regions who take a real responsibility in giving advice on regional matters through Cabinet; that process is functioning well. Secondly, the Government has initiated the highly innovative program of regional cabinet visits. Mr Barnett: What? You initiated that? Dr GALLOP: It is a regular process now, not a one-off, second thought. It is a regular and planned part of government in WA; that is a major initiative. Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
(1)-(3) The assumption behind the question from the member is that there is a cut in the health budget. Mr Day: The rural health budget. Dr GALLOP: That was the assumption behind the question. Members should wait to see the health budget tomorrow. They should not talk about distinctions between what may be and what is but, rather, distinctions between what has been and what will be. What will be will be announced tomorrow. There has been a total transformation of the Government’s approach to the regions in Western Australia. First, the Government has ministers for the regions who take a real responsibility in giving advice on regional matters through Cabinet; that process is functioning well. Secondly, the Government has initiated the highly innovative program of regional cabinet visits. Mr Barnett: What? You initiated that? Dr GALLOP: It is a regular process now, not a one-off, second thought. It is a regular and planned part of government in WA; that is a major initiative. Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Mr Day: The rural health budget. Dr GALLOP: That was the assumption behind the question. Members should wait to see the health budget tomorrow. They should not talk about distinctions between what may be and what is but, rather, distinctions between what has been and what will be. What will be will be announced tomorrow. There has been a total transformation of the Government’s approach to the regions in Western Australia. First, the Government has ministers for the regions who take a real responsibility in giving advice on regional matters through Cabinet; that process is functioning well. Secondly, the Government has initiated the highly innovative program of regional cabinet visits. Mr Barnett: What? You initiated that? Dr GALLOP: It is a regular process now, not a one-off, second thought. It is a regular and planned part of government in WA; that is a major initiative. Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Dr GALLOP: That was the assumption behind the question. Members should wait to see the health budget tomorrow. They should not talk about distinctions between what may be and what is but, rather, distinctions between what has been and what will be. What will be will be announced tomorrow. There has been a total transformation of the Government’s approach to the regions in Western Australia. First, the Government has ministers for the regions who take a real responsibility in giving advice on regional matters through Cabinet; that process is functioning well. Secondly, the Government has initiated the highly innovative program of regional cabinet visits. Mr Barnett: What? You initiated that? Dr GALLOP: It is a regular process now, not a one-off, second thought. It is a regular and planned part of government in WA; that is a major initiative. Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Mr Barnett: What? You initiated that? Dr GALLOP: It is a regular process now, not a one-off, second thought. It is a regular and planned part of government in WA; that is a major initiative. Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Dr GALLOP: It is a regular process now, not a one-off, second thought. It is a regular and planned part of government in WA; that is a major initiative. Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Mr Barnett: The last Government did that. Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Dr GALLOP: It did not happen under the previous Government. Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Dr GALLOP: Was it a regular, planned event? How many did the Opposition have? Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Mr Barnett: Thirty-four. Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Dr GALLOP: There were 34 regional cabinet meetings? Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Mr Barnett: Apparently. That is my advice. Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Dr GALLOP: Apparently! I tell the Leader of the Opposition that “apparently” is not a good basis on which to make a judgment. The point I made is that they are a regular part of the system of government. Thirdly, there is a cabinet subcommittee and as a result of the work of that committee, all items that now go before Cabinet are assessed for what they mean to the regions in Western Australia. We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
We have gone through the most exhaustive budget process undertaken in government in Western Australia in recent years. The Treasurer might interject to inform me how many meetings the expenditure review committee had. Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Mr Ripper: I attended 75 meetings of the committee, or Treasury briefings related to it. Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Dr GALLOP: There were 75 meetings of the expenditure review committee. Many of those meetings were held with the Minister for Health and officials from the Department of Health to ensure that we came up with a good health budget. We have already announced a number of initiatives for regional health. I note, for the interest of the House, that we abolished the Metropolitan Health Service Board and we are now conducting a review of the patient assisted travel scheme so that it can be improved for regional Western Australians. I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
I urge the member for Roe to compare what has been the case with what will be the case - which will be announced tomorrow - not what some members say should be the case and might be the case. He should compare what has been with what will be; what will be will be announced tomorrow. We will fulfil our commitment to ensure that health, education and police are the priorities of government in Western Australia. We will do that within the constraints of the budget in Western Australia about which this side of the House has a responsible view. Unfortunately, on the other side of the House, as we saw when the Opposition was in government, there was profligacy and a lack of professionalism in budget management. Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Mr Ainsworth: Who chairs the committee? Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
Dr GALLOP: I am very pleased to announce that I chair the committee.
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