❓ Treasurer Ripper responds to a question about WA's economic performance, highlighting strong growth, trade figures, and government investment in infrastructure, particularly in regional areas. The response sparks heated interjections from the opposition regarding power unreliability.
AnsweredQoN 283Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the State’s V8 economy. Is there any new information about the State’s economic performance under the Gallop Labor Government? Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for his question. Frankly, the economic news just gets better and better. The Department of Treasury and Finance has produced its quarterly economic brief, which outlines an outstanding economic performance by our State. In 2003, Western Australia’s domestic economy grew by 8.6 per cent, which was the fastest pace of growth seen in five years. The brief confirmed that the State’s gross state product growth is expected to be 6.75 per cent for the 2003-04 financial year, which is the largest annual increase since 1994-95. This State is leading the nation in trade, with WA accounting for a record 30 per cent of the nation’s merchandise exports. Again, the outlook for 2004-05 is also strong with robust growth forecast at 4.5 per cent. Although total business investment is expected to ease over the medium term, announcements have been made about the Ravensthorpe nickel and Enfield oil development projects, both of which should sustain activity. Sustainable economic growth should be the aim of every Government. It is certainly the aim of this Government. Having inherited an economy in free-fall when we came to power, this Government has made decisions in the long-term interests of the State. That is nowhere more evident than in the massive $3.9 billion capital works program for the coming year, the effects of which can be seen out in the regions. I was in Geraldton last week. It is a hive of activity, and a great deal of optimism is evident. This results from the significant investment by the Government in the infrastructure that will drive the future economic growth of Geraldton and its surrounding regions. Tribute must be paid to the member for Geraldton for his work in promoting his community. Geraldton is not the only place where one can see such optimism. After years of lazy complacency by members of the Court Government, the regions are now getting proper investment from this Government. We are kick-starting the regional economies with investment and infrastructure. For example, I turned the sod on Friday for a new $250 million power station in Kemerton, and I also announced plans for five new power stations in the mid west and Gascoyne. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Unemployment is at its lowest level since April 1977. I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition - he came in right on cue. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: I turn to other investments about which perhaps members opposite do not want to hear. For example, I opened a new power station and gas pipeline to Esperance in April that was part of the Government’s $100 million investment in local power infrastructure. It is this Government that has tackled power unreliability in rural areas of the State. Mr C.J. Barnett: You have got to be joking! You have tackled power unreliability! You put the lights out across the State. You are the most incompetent energy minister in history. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the Leader of the Opposition. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I thank the member for his question. Frankly, the economic news just gets better and better. The Department of Treasury and Finance has produced its quarterly economic brief, which outlines an outstanding economic performance by our State. In 2003, Western Australia’s domestic economy grew by 8.6 per cent, which was the fastest pace of growth seen in five years. The brief confirmed that the State’s gross state product growth is expected to be 6.75 per cent for the 2003-04 financial year, which is the largest annual increase since 1994-95. This State is leading the nation in trade, with WA accounting for a record 30 per cent of the nation’s merchandise exports. Again, the outlook for 2004-05 is also strong with robust growth forecast at 4.5 per cent. Although total business investment is expected to ease over the medium term, announcements have been made about the Ravensthorpe nickel and Enfield oil development projects, both of which should sustain activity. Sustainable economic growth should be the aim of every Government. It is certainly the aim of this Government. Having inherited an economy in free-fall when we came to power, this Government has made decisions in the long-term interests of the State. That is nowhere more evident than in the massive $3.9 billion capital works program for the coming year, the effects of which can be seen out in the regions. I was in Geraldton last week. It is a hive of activity, and a great deal of optimism is evident. This results from the significant investment by the Government in the infrastructure that will drive the future economic growth of Geraldton and its surrounding regions. Tribute must be paid to the member for Geraldton for his work in promoting his community. Geraldton is not the only place where one can see such optimism. After years of lazy complacency by members of the Court Government, the regions are now getting proper investment from this Government. We are kick-starting the regional economies with investment and infrastructure. For example, I turned the sod on Friday for a new $250 million power station in Kemerton, and I also announced plans for five new power stations in the mid west and Gascoyne. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Unemployment is at its lowest level since April 1977. I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition - he came in right on cue. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: I turn to other investments about which perhaps members opposite do not want to hear. For example, I opened a new power station and gas pipeline to Esperance in April that was part of the Government’s $100 million investment in local power infrastructure. It is this Government that has tackled power unreliability in rural areas of the State. Mr C.J. Barnett: You have got to be joking! You have tackled power unreliability! You put the lights out across the State. You are the most incompetent energy minister in history. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the Leader of the Opposition. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
I thank the member for his question. Frankly, the economic news just gets better and better. The Department of Treasury and Finance has produced its quarterly economic brief, which outlines an outstanding economic performance by our State. In 2003, Western Australia’s domestic economy grew by 8.6 per cent, which was the fastest pace of growth seen in five years. The brief confirmed that the State’s gross state product growth is expected to be 6.75 per cent for the 2003-04 financial year, which is the largest annual increase since 1994-95. This State is leading the nation in trade, with WA accounting for a record 30 per cent of the nation’s merchandise exports. Again, the outlook for 2004-05 is also strong with robust growth forecast at 4.5 per cent. Although total business investment is expected to ease over the medium term, announcements have been made about the Ravensthorpe nickel and Enfield oil development projects, both of which should sustain activity. Sustainable economic growth should be the aim of every Government. It is certainly the aim of this Government. Having inherited an economy in free-fall when we came to power, this Government has made decisions in the long-term interests of the State. That is nowhere more evident than in the massive $3.9 billion capital works program for the coming year, the effects of which can be seen out in the regions. I was in Geraldton last week. It is a hive of activity, and a great deal of optimism is evident. This results from the significant investment by the Government in the infrastructure that will drive the future economic growth of Geraldton and its surrounding regions. Tribute must be paid to the member for Geraldton for his work in promoting his community. Geraldton is not the only place where one can see such optimism. After years of lazy complacency by members of the Court Government, the regions are now getting proper investment from this Government. We are kick-starting the regional economies with investment and infrastructure. For example, I turned the sod on Friday for a new $250 million power station in Kemerton, and I also announced plans for five new power stations in the mid west and Gascoyne. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Unemployment is at its lowest level since April 1977. I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition - he came in right on cue. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: I turn to other investments about which perhaps members opposite do not want to hear. For example, I opened a new power station and gas pipeline to Esperance in April that was part of the Government’s $100 million investment in local power infrastructure. It is this Government that has tackled power unreliability in rural areas of the State. Mr C.J. Barnett: You have got to be joking! You have tackled power unreliability! You put the lights out across the State. You are the most incompetent energy minister in history. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the Leader of the Opposition. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
Sustainable economic growth should be the aim of every Government. It is certainly the aim of this Government. Having inherited an economy in free-fall when we came to power, this Government has made decisions in the long-term interests of the State. That is nowhere more evident than in the massive $3.9 billion capital works program for the coming year, the effects of which can be seen out in the regions. I was in Geraldton last week. It is a hive of activity, and a great deal of optimism is evident. This results from the significant investment by the Government in the infrastructure that will drive the future economic growth of Geraldton and its surrounding regions. Tribute must be paid to the member for Geraldton for his work in promoting his community. Geraldton is not the only place where one can see such optimism. After years of lazy complacency by members of the Court Government, the regions are now getting proper investment from this Government. We are kick-starting the regional economies with investment and infrastructure. For example, I turned the sod on Friday for a new $250 million power station in Kemerton, and I also announced plans for five new power stations in the mid west and Gascoyne. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Unemployment is at its lowest level since April 1977. I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition - he came in right on cue. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: I turn to other investments about which perhaps members opposite do not want to hear. For example, I opened a new power station and gas pipeline to Esperance in April that was part of the Government’s $100 million investment in local power infrastructure. It is this Government that has tackled power unreliability in rural areas of the State. Mr C.J. Barnett: You have got to be joking! You have tackled power unreliability! You put the lights out across the State. You are the most incompetent energy minister in history. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the Leader of the Opposition. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Unemployment is at its lowest level since April 1977. I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition - he came in right on cue. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: I turn to other investments about which perhaps members opposite do not want to hear. For example, I opened a new power station and gas pipeline to Esperance in April that was part of the Government’s $100 million investment in local power infrastructure. It is this Government that has tackled power unreliability in rural areas of the State. Mr C.J. Barnett: You have got to be joking! You have tackled power unreliability! You put the lights out across the State. You are the most incompetent energy minister in history. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the Leader of the Opposition. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
Mr E.S. RIPPER: Unemployment is at its lowest level since April 1977. I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition - he came in right on cue. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: I turn to other investments about which perhaps members opposite do not want to hear. For example, I opened a new power station and gas pipeline to Esperance in April that was part of the Government’s $100 million investment in local power infrastructure. It is this Government that has tackled power unreliability in rural areas of the State. Mr C.J. Barnett: You have got to be joking! You have tackled power unreliability! You put the lights out across the State. You are the most incompetent energy minister in history. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the Leader of the Opposition. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: I turn to other investments about which perhaps members opposite do not want to hear. For example, I opened a new power station and gas pipeline to Esperance in April that was part of the Government’s $100 million investment in local power infrastructure. It is this Government that has tackled power unreliability in rural areas of the State. Mr C.J. Barnett: You have got to be joking! You have tackled power unreliability! You put the lights out across the State. You are the most incompetent energy minister in history. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the Leader of the Opposition. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: I turn to other investments about which perhaps members opposite do not want to hear. For example, I opened a new power station and gas pipeline to Esperance in April that was part of the Government’s $100 million investment in local power infrastructure. It is this Government that has tackled power unreliability in rural areas of the State. Mr C.J. Barnett: You have got to be joking! You have tackled power unreliability! You put the lights out across the State. You are the most incompetent energy minister in history. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the Leader of the Opposition. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
Mr E.S. RIPPER: I turn to other investments about which perhaps members opposite do not want to hear. For example, I opened a new power station and gas pipeline to Esperance in April that was part of the Government’s $100 million investment in local power infrastructure. It is this Government that has tackled power unreliability in rural areas of the State. Mr C.J. Barnett: You have got to be joking! You have tackled power unreliability! You put the lights out across the State. You are the most incompetent energy minister in history. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the Leader of the Opposition. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
Mr C.J. Barnett: You have got to be joking! You have tackled power unreliability! You put the lights out across the State. You are the most incompetent energy minister in history. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the Leader of the Opposition. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the Leader of the Opposition. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I thank the member for his question. Frankly, the economic news just gets better and better. The Department of Treasury and Finance has produced its quarterly economic brief, which outlines an outstanding economic performance by our State. In 2003, Western Australia’s domestic economy grew by 8.6 per cent, which was the fastest pace of growth seen in five years. The brief confirmed that the State’s gross state product growth is expected to be 6.75 per cent for the 2003-04 financial year, which is the largest annual increase since 1994-95. This State is leading the nation in trade, with WA accounting for a record 30 per cent of the nation’s merchandise exports. Again, the outlook for 2004-05 is also strong with robust growth forecast at 4.5 per cent. Although total business investment is expected to ease over the medium term, announcements have been made about the Ravensthorpe nickel and Enfield oil development projects, both of which should sustain activity. Sustainable economic growth should be the aim of every Government. It is certainly the aim of this Government. Having inherited an economy in free-fall when we came to power, this Government has made decisions in the long-term interests of the State. That is nowhere more evident than in the massive $3.9 billion capital works program for the coming year, the effects of which can be seen out in the regions. I was in Geraldton last week. It is a hive of activity, and a great deal of optimism is evident. This results from the significant investment by the Government in the infrastructure that will drive the future economic growth of Geraldton and its surrounding regions. Tribute must be paid to the member for Geraldton for his work in promoting his community. Geraldton is not the only place where one can see such optimism. After years of lazy complacency by members of the Court Government, the regions are now getting proper investment from this Government. We are kick-starting the regional economies with investment and infrastructure. For example, I turned the sod on Friday for a new $250 million power station in Kemerton, and I also announced plans for five new power stations in the mid west and Gascoyne. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Unemployment is at its lowest level since April 1977. I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition - he came in right on cue. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: I turn to other investments about which perhaps members opposite do not want to hear. For example, I opened a new power station and gas pipeline to Esperance in April that was part of the Government’s $100 million investment in local power infrastructure. It is this Government that has tackled power unreliability in rural areas of the State. Mr C.J. Barnett: You have got to be joking! You have tackled power unreliability! You put the lights out across the State. You are the most incompetent energy minister in history. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the Leader of the Opposition. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
I thank the member for his question. Frankly, the economic news just gets better and better. The Department of Treasury and Finance has produced its quarterly economic brief, which outlines an outstanding economic performance by our State. In 2003, Western Australia’s domestic economy grew by 8.6 per cent, which was the fastest pace of growth seen in five years. The brief confirmed that the State’s gross state product growth is expected to be 6.75 per cent for the 2003-04 financial year, which is the largest annual increase since 1994-95. This State is leading the nation in trade, with WA accounting for a record 30 per cent of the nation’s merchandise exports. Again, the outlook for 2004-05 is also strong with robust growth forecast at 4.5 per cent. Although total business investment is expected to ease over the medium term, announcements have been made about the Ravensthorpe nickel and Enfield oil development projects, both of which should sustain activity. Sustainable economic growth should be the aim of every Government. It is certainly the aim of this Government. Having inherited an economy in free-fall when we came to power, this Government has made decisions in the long-term interests of the State. That is nowhere more evident than in the massive $3.9 billion capital works program for the coming year, the effects of which can be seen out in the regions. I was in Geraldton last week. It is a hive of activity, and a great deal of optimism is evident. This results from the significant investment by the Government in the infrastructure that will drive the future economic growth of Geraldton and its surrounding regions. Tribute must be paid to the member for Geraldton for his work in promoting his community. Geraldton is not the only place where one can see such optimism. After years of lazy complacency by members of the Court Government, the regions are now getting proper investment from this Government. We are kick-starting the regional economies with investment and infrastructure. For example, I turned the sod on Friday for a new $250 million power station in Kemerton, and I also announced plans for five new power stations in the mid west and Gascoyne. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Unemployment is at its lowest level since April 1977. I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition - he came in right on cue. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: I turn to other investments about which perhaps members opposite do not want to hear. For example, I opened a new power station and gas pipeline to Esperance in April that was part of the Government’s $100 million investment in local power infrastructure. It is this Government that has tackled power unreliability in rural areas of the State. Mr C.J. Barnett: You have got to be joking! You have tackled power unreliability! You put the lights out across the State. You are the most incompetent energy minister in history. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the Leader of the Opposition. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
Sustainable economic growth should be the aim of every Government. It is certainly the aim of this Government. Having inherited an economy in free-fall when we came to power, this Government has made decisions in the long-term interests of the State. That is nowhere more evident than in the massive $3.9 billion capital works program for the coming year, the effects of which can be seen out in the regions. I was in Geraldton last week. It is a hive of activity, and a great deal of optimism is evident. This results from the significant investment by the Government in the infrastructure that will drive the future economic growth of Geraldton and its surrounding regions. Tribute must be paid to the member for Geraldton for his work in promoting his community. Geraldton is not the only place where one can see such optimism. After years of lazy complacency by members of the Court Government, the regions are now getting proper investment from this Government. We are kick-starting the regional economies with investment and infrastructure. For example, I turned the sod on Friday for a new $250 million power station in Kemerton, and I also announced plans for five new power stations in the mid west and Gascoyne. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Unemployment is at its lowest level since April 1977. I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition - he came in right on cue. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: I turn to other investments about which perhaps members opposite do not want to hear. For example, I opened a new power station and gas pipeline to Esperance in April that was part of the Government’s $100 million investment in local power infrastructure. It is this Government that has tackled power unreliability in rural areas of the State. Mr C.J. Barnett: You have got to be joking! You have tackled power unreliability! You put the lights out across the State. You are the most incompetent energy minister in history. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the Leader of the Opposition. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: Unemployment is at its lowest level since April 1977. I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition - he came in right on cue. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: I turn to other investments about which perhaps members opposite do not want to hear. For example, I opened a new power station and gas pipeline to Esperance in April that was part of the Government’s $100 million investment in local power infrastructure. It is this Government that has tackled power unreliability in rural areas of the State. Mr C.J. Barnett: You have got to be joking! You have tackled power unreliability! You put the lights out across the State. You are the most incompetent energy minister in history. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the Leader of the Opposition. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
Mr E.S. RIPPER: Unemployment is at its lowest level since April 1977. I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition - he came in right on cue. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: I turn to other investments about which perhaps members opposite do not want to hear. For example, I opened a new power station and gas pipeline to Esperance in April that was part of the Government’s $100 million investment in local power infrastructure. It is this Government that has tackled power unreliability in rural areas of the State. Mr C.J. Barnett: You have got to be joking! You have tackled power unreliability! You put the lights out across the State. You are the most incompetent energy minister in history. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the Leader of the Opposition. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: I turn to other investments about which perhaps members opposite do not want to hear. For example, I opened a new power station and gas pipeline to Esperance in April that was part of the Government’s $100 million investment in local power infrastructure. It is this Government that has tackled power unreliability in rural areas of the State. Mr C.J. Barnett: You have got to be joking! You have tackled power unreliability! You put the lights out across the State. You are the most incompetent energy minister in history. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the Leader of the Opposition. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr E.S. RIPPER: I turn to other investments about which perhaps members opposite do not want to hear. For example, I opened a new power station and gas pipeline to Esperance in April that was part of the Government’s $100 million investment in local power infrastructure. It is this Government that has tackled power unreliability in rural areas of the State. Mr C.J. Barnett: You have got to be joking! You have tackled power unreliability! You put the lights out across the State. You are the most incompetent energy minister in history. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the Leader of the Opposition. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
Mr E.S. RIPPER: I turn to other investments about which perhaps members opposite do not want to hear. For example, I opened a new power station and gas pipeline to Esperance in April that was part of the Government’s $100 million investment in local power infrastructure. It is this Government that has tackled power unreliability in rural areas of the State. Mr C.J. Barnett: You have got to be joking! You have tackled power unreliability! You put the lights out across the State. You are the most incompetent energy minister in history. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the Leader of the Opposition. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
Mr C.J. Barnett: You have got to be joking! You have tackled power unreliability! You put the lights out across the State. You are the most incompetent energy minister in history. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the Leader of the Opposition. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the Leader of the Opposition. Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
Mr P.D. Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
The SPEAKER: Order! I call to order for the first time the member for Warren-Blackwood. Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
Mr E.S. RIPPER: There is a well-known Labor newspaper that does not agree with the statement of the Leader of the Opposition! That well-known Labor newspaper is The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury ! This is what The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury said - Mr Ripper claims this is an area previous governments have overlooked and he is right in making this observation. The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury agrees with me, even if the Leader of the Opposition does not. Why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with me? It is because in our first four budgets we are spending $300 million more on the electricity network than the previous Government spent in its last four budgets. We have further increased investment in the electricity network by $400 million; therefore, why would The Merredin-Wheatbelt Mercury not agree with my observation that it is an area that previous Governments overlooked? Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
Members of the National Party were walked all over by the Leader of the Opposition in the last coalition Government. It is amazing that they have signed up for more of that treatment. I believe the new coalition will be worse for National Party members than it was when they were in government. When they were in government they at least had the maverick from Merredin who tried to hold the Liberals accountable. However, all they have now is the chihuahua from Chittering!
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