❓ Ms. Davies questions the Premier on why frontline workers are rejecting the government's wage offer and planning industrial action. The Premier defends the offer as generous compared to other states, citing economic uncertainty and the need for fiscal responsibility.
AnsweredQoN 646Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PUBLIC SECTOR — WAGES
646. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. If
the offer that has been made is so good and reasonable, why have frontline
workers rejected it and why are they planning industrial action, including
coming to Parliament to share their anger and frustration?
646. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. If
the offer that has been made is so good and reasonable, why have frontline
workers rejected it and why are they planning industrial action, including
coming to Parliament to share their anger and frustration?
AnswerView source ↗
As I said, the Leader of the
Opposition is asking a question even though she described the offer as
reasonable a matter of a few weeks ago. That is what the Leader of the
Opposition said. Sometimes she needs to know when not to ask about things,
particularly when she is on the record as endorsing it.
The situation Western Australia is
facing is that we are fortunate to be in such a strong position compared with
other states and territories and the commonwealth in a world that is very
uncertain. Every major indicator is now saying that there is going to be a worldwide
recession. Indeed, the United States is already in recession. It is being said
that economies all over the world are going to be significantly hit. We need to
keep our financial firepower for when that occurs. The offer we have put is
more than generous compared with what other states in Australia have made. It
reflects the fact that we want to reward the workforce more, but we want to
keep some capacity for what could lie ahead.
I understand that the Nationals WA
and Liberal Party do not understand responsibility. They showed that last time
they were in government. But we are reasonable, responsible, reliable and
cautious because that is the world we are in at this time.
Opposition is asking a question even though she described the offer as
reasonable a matter of a few weeks ago. That is what the Leader of the
Opposition said. Sometimes she needs to know when not to ask about things,
particularly when she is on the record as endorsing it.
The situation Western Australia is
facing is that we are fortunate to be in such a strong position compared with
other states and territories and the commonwealth in a world that is very
uncertain. Every major indicator is now saying that there is going to be a worldwide
recession. Indeed, the United States is already in recession. It is being said
that economies all over the world are going to be significantly hit. We need to
keep our financial firepower for when that occurs. The offer we have put is
more than generous compared with what other states in Australia have made. It
reflects the fact that we want to reward the workforce more, but we want to
keep some capacity for what could lie ahead.
I understand that the Nationals WA
and Liberal Party do not understand responsibility. They showed that last time
they were in government. But we are reasonable, responsible, reliable and
cautious because that is the world we are in at this time.
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