❓ Shadow Minister for Transport, Mr. Ripper, questions Premier Barnett on railcar procurement, citing inaction and congestion. The Premier defends his government's transport investments and blames the previous Labor government's inaction and the GFC.
AnsweredQoN 184Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
METROPOLITAN RAILWAYS — NEW RAILCARS
I refer to the Premier’s wild claims yesterday that the trains are full because the economy is performing better under his government. (1) Is the Premier aware that patronage on trains is growing by only three per cent per annum under his government? (2) Is the Premier aware that under Labor governments patronage was growing by four and a half per cent each year? (3) Will the Premier now accept that the congestion facing urban transport is a direct result of his inaction and failure to order the new trains that he was warned he needed to order in 2008? (4) Will the Premier commit to ordering at least 30 new railcars and thus end the congestion affecting our urban rail system? Mr C.J. BARNETT
I refer to the Premier’s wild claims yesterday that the trains are full because the economy is performing better under his government. (1) Is the Premier aware that patronage on trains is growing by only three per cent per annum under his government? (2) Is the Premier aware that under Labor governments patronage was growing by four and a half per cent each year? (3) Will the Premier now accept that the congestion facing urban transport is a direct result of his inaction and failure to order the new trains that he was warned he needed to order in 2008? (4) Will the Premier commit to ordering at least 30 new railcars and thus end the congestion affecting our urban rail system? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
Mr Speaker, before I answer, I thank you and members for agreeing to have question time later so that members could attend the Chinese delegation lunch. Ms M.M. Quirk : It’s all right; we carried on without you, Premier! The SPEAKER : Thank you, member for Girrawheen. I am formally going to call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : In response to the question — (1)–(4) As I said yesterday, there is congestion and crowding on our train system, and congestion on the roads. This government is acutely aware of that. Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
(1) Is the Premier aware that patronage on trains is growing by only three per cent per annum under his government? (2) Is the Premier aware that under Labor governments patronage was growing by four and a half per cent each year? (3) Will the Premier now accept that the congestion facing urban transport is a direct result of his inaction and failure to order the new trains that he was warned he needed to order in 2008? (4) Will the Premier commit to ordering at least 30 new railcars and thus end the congestion affecting our urban rail system? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Mr Speaker, before I answer, I thank you and members for agreeing to have question time later so that members could attend the Chinese delegation lunch. Ms M.M. Quirk : It’s all right; we carried on without you, Premier! The SPEAKER : Thank you, member for Girrawheen. I am formally going to call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : In response to the question — (1)–(4) As I said yesterday, there is congestion and crowding on our train system, and congestion on the roads. This government is acutely aware of that. Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
(2) Is the Premier aware that under Labor governments patronage was growing by four and a half per cent each year? (3) Will the Premier now accept that the congestion facing urban transport is a direct result of his inaction and failure to order the new trains that he was warned he needed to order in 2008? (4) Will the Premier commit to ordering at least 30 new railcars and thus end the congestion affecting our urban rail system? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Mr Speaker, before I answer, I thank you and members for agreeing to have question time later so that members could attend the Chinese delegation lunch. Ms M.M. Quirk : It’s all right; we carried on without you, Premier! The SPEAKER : Thank you, member for Girrawheen. I am formally going to call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : In response to the question — (1)–(4) As I said yesterday, there is congestion and crowding on our train system, and congestion on the roads. This government is acutely aware of that. Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
(3) Will the Premier now accept that the congestion facing urban transport is a direct result of his inaction and failure to order the new trains that he was warned he needed to order in 2008? (4) Will the Premier commit to ordering at least 30 new railcars and thus end the congestion affecting our urban rail system? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Mr Speaker, before I answer, I thank you and members for agreeing to have question time later so that members could attend the Chinese delegation lunch. Ms M.M. Quirk : It’s all right; we carried on without you, Premier! The SPEAKER : Thank you, member for Girrawheen. I am formally going to call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : In response to the question — (1)–(4) As I said yesterday, there is congestion and crowding on our train system, and congestion on the roads. This government is acutely aware of that. Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
(4) Will the Premier commit to ordering at least 30 new railcars and thus end the congestion affecting our urban rail system? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Mr Speaker, before I answer, I thank you and members for agreeing to have question time later so that members could attend the Chinese delegation lunch. Ms M.M. Quirk : It’s all right; we carried on without you, Premier! The SPEAKER : Thank you, member for Girrawheen. I am formally going to call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : In response to the question — (1)–(4) As I said yesterday, there is congestion and crowding on our train system, and congestion on the roads. This government is acutely aware of that. Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Mr Speaker, before I answer, I thank you and members for agreeing to have question time later so that members could attend the Chinese delegation lunch. Ms M.M. Quirk : It’s all right; we carried on without you, Premier! The SPEAKER : Thank you, member for Girrawheen. I am formally going to call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : In response to the question — (1)–(4) As I said yesterday, there is congestion and crowding on our train system, and congestion on the roads. This government is acutely aware of that. Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr Speaker, before I answer, I thank you and members for agreeing to have question time later so that members could attend the Chinese delegation lunch. Ms M.M. Quirk : It’s all right; we carried on without you, Premier! The SPEAKER : Thank you, member for Girrawheen. I am formally going to call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : In response to the question — (1)–(4) As I said yesterday, there is congestion and crowding on our train system, and congestion on the roads. This government is acutely aware of that. Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Ms M.M. Quirk : It’s all right; we carried on without you, Premier! The SPEAKER : Thank you, member for Girrawheen. I am formally going to call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : In response to the question — (1)–(4) As I said yesterday, there is congestion and crowding on our train system, and congestion on the roads. This government is acutely aware of that. Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, member for Girrawheen. I am formally going to call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : In response to the question — (1)–(4) As I said yesterday, there is congestion and crowding on our train system, and congestion on the roads. This government is acutely aware of that. Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : In response to the question — (1)–(4) As I said yesterday, there is congestion and crowding on our train system, and congestion on the roads. This government is acutely aware of that. Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
(1)–(4) As I said yesterday, there is congestion and crowding on our train system, and congestion on the roads. This government is acutely aware of that. Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
(1) Is the Premier aware that patronage on trains is growing by only three per cent per annum under his government? (2) Is the Premier aware that under Labor governments patronage was growing by four and a half per cent each year? (3) Will the Premier now accept that the congestion facing urban transport is a direct result of his inaction and failure to order the new trains that he was warned he needed to order in 2008? (4) Will the Premier commit to ordering at least 30 new railcars and thus end the congestion affecting our urban rail system? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Mr Speaker, before I answer, I thank you and members for agreeing to have question time later so that members could attend the Chinese delegation lunch. Ms M.M. Quirk : It’s all right; we carried on without you, Premier! The SPEAKER : Thank you, member for Girrawheen. I am formally going to call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : In response to the question — (1)–(4) As I said yesterday, there is congestion and crowding on our train system, and congestion on the roads. This government is acutely aware of that. Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
(2) Is the Premier aware that under Labor governments patronage was growing by four and a half per cent each year? (3) Will the Premier now accept that the congestion facing urban transport is a direct result of his inaction and failure to order the new trains that he was warned he needed to order in 2008? (4) Will the Premier commit to ordering at least 30 new railcars and thus end the congestion affecting our urban rail system? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Mr Speaker, before I answer, I thank you and members for agreeing to have question time later so that members could attend the Chinese delegation lunch. Ms M.M. Quirk : It’s all right; we carried on without you, Premier! The SPEAKER : Thank you, member for Girrawheen. I am formally going to call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : In response to the question — (1)–(4) As I said yesterday, there is congestion and crowding on our train system, and congestion on the roads. This government is acutely aware of that. Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
(3) Will the Premier now accept that the congestion facing urban transport is a direct result of his inaction and failure to order the new trains that he was warned he needed to order in 2008? (4) Will the Premier commit to ordering at least 30 new railcars and thus end the congestion affecting our urban rail system? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Mr Speaker, before I answer, I thank you and members for agreeing to have question time later so that members could attend the Chinese delegation lunch. Ms M.M. Quirk : It’s all right; we carried on without you, Premier! The SPEAKER : Thank you, member for Girrawheen. I am formally going to call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : In response to the question — (1)–(4) As I said yesterday, there is congestion and crowding on our train system, and congestion on the roads. This government is acutely aware of that. Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
(4) Will the Premier commit to ordering at least 30 new railcars and thus end the congestion affecting our urban rail system? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Mr Speaker, before I answer, I thank you and members for agreeing to have question time later so that members could attend the Chinese delegation lunch. Ms M.M. Quirk : It’s all right; we carried on without you, Premier! The SPEAKER : Thank you, member for Girrawheen. I am formally going to call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : In response to the question — (1)–(4) As I said yesterday, there is congestion and crowding on our train system, and congestion on the roads. This government is acutely aware of that. Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Mr Speaker, before I answer, I thank you and members for agreeing to have question time later so that members could attend the Chinese delegation lunch. Ms M.M. Quirk : It’s all right; we carried on without you, Premier! The SPEAKER : Thank you, member for Girrawheen. I am formally going to call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : In response to the question — (1)–(4) As I said yesterday, there is congestion and crowding on our train system, and congestion on the roads. This government is acutely aware of that. Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr Speaker, before I answer, I thank you and members for agreeing to have question time later so that members could attend the Chinese delegation lunch. Ms M.M. Quirk : It’s all right; we carried on without you, Premier! The SPEAKER : Thank you, member for Girrawheen. I am formally going to call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : In response to the question — (1)–(4) As I said yesterday, there is congestion and crowding on our train system, and congestion on the roads. This government is acutely aware of that. Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Ms M.M. Quirk : It’s all right; we carried on without you, Premier! The SPEAKER : Thank you, member for Girrawheen. I am formally going to call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : In response to the question — (1)–(4) As I said yesterday, there is congestion and crowding on our train system, and congestion on the roads. This government is acutely aware of that. Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, member for Girrawheen. I am formally going to call you to order for the second time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : In response to the question — (1)–(4) As I said yesterday, there is congestion and crowding on our train system, and congestion on the roads. This government is acutely aware of that. Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : In response to the question — (1)–(4) As I said yesterday, there is congestion and crowding on our train system, and congestion on the roads. This government is acutely aware of that. Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
(1)–(4) As I said yesterday, there is congestion and crowding on our train system, and congestion on the roads. This government is acutely aware of that. Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr E.S. Ripper : But you are not investing! Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government came into power in October 2008. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is the reality! Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Why did not you order them? You were the Treasurer. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also came into power at the time of the global financial crisis. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It is true! A couple of billion dollars went out of the state’s budget. We have recovered from that, but we still face a lot of constraints. Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr E.S. Ripper : So commit now! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : We are looking at a number of issues in transport. The Minister for Transport has responsibility for that. We are extending the northern rail line. We have provided 3 000 extra parking bays — Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr E.S. Ripper : What will it be like with the extension, but no railcars? Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : This government has not solved all the issues. There are issues; I readily concede that, but this government has committed $240-odd million to extend the rail line through Clarkson into Butler. That is important. That is something that members opposite were stalling on. Members opposite had not got there, had they? They had not! That is one of the issues that we committed to. The reality is that members opposite could not make up their minds, so we made that decision. I have to say that that was with the support of some Labor members opposite who were delighted that the Liberal–National government had made that decision, because they knew their ministers were incapable. Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Who pressured you with their campaign to sign up to the same commitment that we were promising? Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : No! After the election, several of the Leader of the Opposition’s members came across and said, “Well done! You made the decision that we didn’t!” Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr E.S. Ripper : At last—you made a decision! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, I do not want to sit down again. I have had a very good day today and the Leader of the Opposition should not spoil it for me. We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
We committed to the rail line extension to Butler, and that work is underway. We promised during the election campaign that we would provide extra parking bays on both the northern and southern line. In excess of 3 000 bays have been provided. We delivered free public transport to seniors from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm, which is worth somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for those seniors. It also shifts some of their patronage of the public transport system away from peak hours into other times of the day—obviously to when it is free. There is more to be done. We are now looking at the issue of freeway expansion. The Minister for Transport has announced an expansion on the southern leg. We are looking at the northern leg of the freeway. In the longer term, issues like light rail and servicing the northern suburbs and north eastern corridor are being looked at. Transport infrastructure issues are big decisions and they take time. Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You are two years too late! Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr P. Papalia : You said you are making decisions. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have just been through what this government has done. They are good measures in public transport. The opposition sits and grins over there. They were such a useless mob in government; just so useless! The public of Western Australia knows that. Do not try to rewrite history. What the Labor Party still has not realised is that if it is not truthful, if it does not tell the truth to the public of Western Australia, the public will not respect Labor Party members.
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