❓ Mr Trenorden questions the Premier's inaction regarding Epic Energy's financial distress and potential job losses due to the regulator's decision. The Premier deflects by highlighting the previous government's role in establishing the independent regulator and accusing the opposition of hypocrisy.
AnsweredQoN 696Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Premier’s letter of 1 May to the employees of Epic Energy, wherein he said that the State would be concerned were financial distress to arise solely by virtue of the final decision of the regulator. (1) Will the Premier now stop sidestepping this issue and represent the interests of 200 employees and their families? (2) Will he now acknowledge that future employment in and development of this State is at risk because of his inaction? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) I remind the Leader of the National Party of two things: first, when the pipeline was sold under the previous Government, I, as Leader of the Opposition, made comments - Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER: Leader of the National Party! Dr G.I. GALLOP: I commented at the time that, as a result of this decision, there would be upward rather than downward pressure on tariffs on the pipeline in Western Australia. That was clear to everyone observing this situation. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the National Party that the independent regulator was set up by the Parliament of Western Australia; it was supported by his side. Mr M.W. Trenorden: That is absolute nonsense. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Is the Leader of the National Party saying that he did not support that legislation? Mr M.W. Trenorden: I am saying that you should make a decision and let the regulator know what your point of view is. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
(1) Will the Premier now stop sidestepping this issue and represent the interests of 200 employees and their families? (2) Will he now acknowledge that future employment in and development of this State is at risk because of his inaction? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I remind the Leader of the National Party of two things: first, when the pipeline was sold under the previous Government, I, as Leader of the Opposition, made comments - Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER: Leader of the National Party! Dr G.I. GALLOP: I commented at the time that, as a result of this decision, there would be upward rather than downward pressure on tariffs on the pipeline in Western Australia. That was clear to everyone observing this situation. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the National Party that the independent regulator was set up by the Parliament of Western Australia; it was supported by his side. Mr M.W. Trenorden: That is absolute nonsense. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Is the Leader of the National Party saying that he did not support that legislation? Mr M.W. Trenorden: I am saying that you should make a decision and let the regulator know what your point of view is. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
(2) Will he now acknowledge that future employment in and development of this State is at risk because of his inaction? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I remind the Leader of the National Party of two things: first, when the pipeline was sold under the previous Government, I, as Leader of the Opposition, made comments - Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER: Leader of the National Party! Dr G.I. GALLOP: I commented at the time that, as a result of this decision, there would be upward rather than downward pressure on tariffs on the pipeline in Western Australia. That was clear to everyone observing this situation. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the National Party that the independent regulator was set up by the Parliament of Western Australia; it was supported by his side. Mr M.W. Trenorden: That is absolute nonsense. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Is the Leader of the National Party saying that he did not support that legislation? Mr M.W. Trenorden: I am saying that you should make a decision and let the regulator know what your point of view is. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I remind the Leader of the National Party of two things: first, when the pipeline was sold under the previous Government, I, as Leader of the Opposition, made comments - Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER: Leader of the National Party! Dr G.I. GALLOP: I commented at the time that, as a result of this decision, there would be upward rather than downward pressure on tariffs on the pipeline in Western Australia. That was clear to everyone observing this situation. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the National Party that the independent regulator was set up by the Parliament of Western Australia; it was supported by his side. Mr M.W. Trenorden: That is absolute nonsense. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Is the Leader of the National Party saying that he did not support that legislation? Mr M.W. Trenorden: I am saying that you should make a decision and let the regulator know what your point of view is. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
(1)-(2) I remind the Leader of the National Party of two things: first, when the pipeline was sold under the previous Government, I, as Leader of the Opposition, made comments - Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER: Leader of the National Party! Dr G.I. GALLOP: I commented at the time that, as a result of this decision, there would be upward rather than downward pressure on tariffs on the pipeline in Western Australia. That was clear to everyone observing this situation. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the National Party that the independent regulator was set up by the Parliament of Western Australia; it was supported by his side. Mr M.W. Trenorden: That is absolute nonsense. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Is the Leader of the National Party saying that he did not support that legislation? Mr M.W. Trenorden: I am saying that you should make a decision and let the regulator know what your point of view is. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER: Leader of the National Party! Dr G.I. GALLOP: I commented at the time that, as a result of this decision, there would be upward rather than downward pressure on tariffs on the pipeline in Western Australia. That was clear to everyone observing this situation. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the National Party that the independent regulator was set up by the Parliament of Western Australia; it was supported by his side. Mr M.W. Trenorden: That is absolute nonsense. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Is the Leader of the National Party saying that he did not support that legislation? Mr M.W. Trenorden: I am saying that you should make a decision and let the regulator know what your point of view is. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
The SPEAKER: Leader of the National Party! Dr G.I. GALLOP: I commented at the time that, as a result of this decision, there would be upward rather than downward pressure on tariffs on the pipeline in Western Australia. That was clear to everyone observing this situation. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the National Party that the independent regulator was set up by the Parliament of Western Australia; it was supported by his side. Mr M.W. Trenorden: That is absolute nonsense. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Is the Leader of the National Party saying that he did not support that legislation? Mr M.W. Trenorden: I am saying that you should make a decision and let the regulator know what your point of view is. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: I commented at the time that, as a result of this decision, there would be upward rather than downward pressure on tariffs on the pipeline in Western Australia. That was clear to everyone observing this situation. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the National Party that the independent regulator was set up by the Parliament of Western Australia; it was supported by his side. Mr M.W. Trenorden: That is absolute nonsense. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Is the Leader of the National Party saying that he did not support that legislation? Mr M.W. Trenorden: I am saying that you should make a decision and let the regulator know what your point of view is. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
Mr M.W. Trenorden: That is absolute nonsense. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Is the Leader of the National Party saying that he did not support that legislation? Mr M.W. Trenorden: I am saying that you should make a decision and let the regulator know what your point of view is. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: Is the Leader of the National Party saying that he did not support that legislation? Mr M.W. Trenorden: I am saying that you should make a decision and let the regulator know what your point of view is. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
Mr M.W. Trenorden: I am saying that you should make a decision and let the regulator know what your point of view is. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
(1) Will the Premier now stop sidestepping this issue and represent the interests of 200 employees and their families? (2) Will he now acknowledge that future employment in and development of this State is at risk because of his inaction? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I remind the Leader of the National Party of two things: first, when the pipeline was sold under the previous Government, I, as Leader of the Opposition, made comments - Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER: Leader of the National Party! Dr G.I. GALLOP: I commented at the time that, as a result of this decision, there would be upward rather than downward pressure on tariffs on the pipeline in Western Australia. That was clear to everyone observing this situation. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the National Party that the independent regulator was set up by the Parliament of Western Australia; it was supported by his side. Mr M.W. Trenorden: That is absolute nonsense. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Is the Leader of the National Party saying that he did not support that legislation? Mr M.W. Trenorden: I am saying that you should make a decision and let the regulator know what your point of view is. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
(2) Will he now acknowledge that future employment in and development of this State is at risk because of his inaction? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I remind the Leader of the National Party of two things: first, when the pipeline was sold under the previous Government, I, as Leader of the Opposition, made comments - Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER: Leader of the National Party! Dr G.I. GALLOP: I commented at the time that, as a result of this decision, there would be upward rather than downward pressure on tariffs on the pipeline in Western Australia. That was clear to everyone observing this situation. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the National Party that the independent regulator was set up by the Parliament of Western Australia; it was supported by his side. Mr M.W. Trenorden: That is absolute nonsense. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Is the Leader of the National Party saying that he did not support that legislation? Mr M.W. Trenorden: I am saying that you should make a decision and let the regulator know what your point of view is. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I remind the Leader of the National Party of two things: first, when the pipeline was sold under the previous Government, I, as Leader of the Opposition, made comments - Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER: Leader of the National Party! Dr G.I. GALLOP: I commented at the time that, as a result of this decision, there would be upward rather than downward pressure on tariffs on the pipeline in Western Australia. That was clear to everyone observing this situation. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the National Party that the independent regulator was set up by the Parliament of Western Australia; it was supported by his side. Mr M.W. Trenorden: That is absolute nonsense. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Is the Leader of the National Party saying that he did not support that legislation? Mr M.W. Trenorden: I am saying that you should make a decision and let the regulator know what your point of view is. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
(1)-(2) I remind the Leader of the National Party of two things: first, when the pipeline was sold under the previous Government, I, as Leader of the Opposition, made comments - Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER: Leader of the National Party! Dr G.I. GALLOP: I commented at the time that, as a result of this decision, there would be upward rather than downward pressure on tariffs on the pipeline in Western Australia. That was clear to everyone observing this situation. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the National Party that the independent regulator was set up by the Parliament of Western Australia; it was supported by his side. Mr M.W. Trenorden: That is absolute nonsense. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Is the Leader of the National Party saying that he did not support that legislation? Mr M.W. Trenorden: I am saying that you should make a decision and let the regulator know what your point of view is. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. The SPEAKER: Leader of the National Party! Dr G.I. GALLOP: I commented at the time that, as a result of this decision, there would be upward rather than downward pressure on tariffs on the pipeline in Western Australia. That was clear to everyone observing this situation. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the National Party that the independent regulator was set up by the Parliament of Western Australia; it was supported by his side. Mr M.W. Trenorden: That is absolute nonsense. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Is the Leader of the National Party saying that he did not support that legislation? Mr M.W. Trenorden: I am saying that you should make a decision and let the regulator know what your point of view is. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
The SPEAKER: Leader of the National Party! Dr G.I. GALLOP: I commented at the time that, as a result of this decision, there would be upward rather than downward pressure on tariffs on the pipeline in Western Australia. That was clear to everyone observing this situation. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the National Party that the independent regulator was set up by the Parliament of Western Australia; it was supported by his side. Mr M.W. Trenorden: That is absolute nonsense. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Is the Leader of the National Party saying that he did not support that legislation? Mr M.W. Trenorden: I am saying that you should make a decision and let the regulator know what your point of view is. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: I commented at the time that, as a result of this decision, there would be upward rather than downward pressure on tariffs on the pipeline in Western Australia. That was clear to everyone observing this situation. Secondly, I remind the Leader of the National Party that the independent regulator was set up by the Parliament of Western Australia; it was supported by his side. Mr M.W. Trenorden: That is absolute nonsense. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Is the Leader of the National Party saying that he did not support that legislation? Mr M.W. Trenorden: I am saying that you should make a decision and let the regulator know what your point of view is. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
Mr M.W. Trenorden: That is absolute nonsense. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Is the Leader of the National Party saying that he did not support that legislation? Mr M.W. Trenorden: I am saying that you should make a decision and let the regulator know what your point of view is. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: Is the Leader of the National Party saying that he did not support that legislation? Mr M.W. Trenorden: I am saying that you should make a decision and let the regulator know what your point of view is. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
Mr M.W. Trenorden: I am saying that you should make a decision and let the regulator know what your point of view is. Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: Okay. Let us play a little game. I ask who said - The gas access regulator is an independent person, so it is not up to me to dictate when he will make the decision. I ask who said - It is one pipeline, and the tariff applies to all pipeline users, but I hope that transmission prices will be as low as possible. Members should listen to this. I ask who said this - Every bidder armed with armies of lawyers and accountants in a document room which was open for six weeks knew that the process of national gas pipeline access regulation was in place and that there would be an independent gas regulator who from 1 January 2000 would set the tariff. If the Opposition is suggesting that anyone would bid $2 407m and have a team of lawyers and accountants analysing the project and not understand the national access code, I am afraid that they are more naive than other people. The Leader of the Opposition said that. He has come into this Parliament, along with his friend the Leader of the National Party, and called upon us to get involved in that independent process. The hypocrisy of the coalition knows no bounds. There is no better example of that than the way in which it is treating the issue of the pipeline tariff that will prevail. We have said all along that we supported the legislation setting up the independent regulator, and we will allow that process to work properly according to the laws of Western Australia. That is the process that we will set up, and we will follow that process properly in Western Australia. It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
It is sheer hypocrisy for the Leaders of the National and Liberal Parties to talk about workers in this Parliament when it was they who introduced workplace agreements, diminished the minimum wage for workers in Western Australia to the lowest point in Australia and did not fund WorkSafe to protect the interests of workers at the workplace. What hypocrisy! Members on this side of the House will defend the interests of the workers in our society.
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