❓ Opposition Leader Barnett questions Premier Gallop about the proposed desalination plant, citing expert concerns about its economic, social, and environmental viability. Gallop defends the project as a necessary, weather-independent water source, highlighting government action on water conservation and accusing the opposition of being stuck in the past.
AnsweredQoN 553Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I trust the Prime Minister. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT: That is a shameful thing to say in a Parliament. I refer the Premier to comments made on ABC radio today by eminent water expert Professor Jorg Imberger regarding the launch today of yet another government report on the future of water resources in Western Australia. Professor Imberger said - . . . this is the last in a long list of reports . . . there’s been no action on any of these issues . . . and all of a sudden now we sort of make a big spiel about it . . . of all the options that were available, or are available, the desalination plant probably doesn’t stack up on an economic basis, it doesn’t stack up on a social base and also it just doesn’t stack up from an environmental basis. (1) Will the Premier now admit that his recent announcement of a $350 million desalination plant, which nobody supports, is simply a panicked, last-minute attempt to address a blatant failure in water planning by his Government over the past three and a half years? (2) Will the Premier now admit that the desalination plant, which will emit more than 100 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas into the atmosphere every year and is likely to cause significant environmental damage to Cockburn Sound, represents a poor, if not the worst, option to solve our current and future water shortages? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) I beg to differ from Professor Imberger on the two points he made. The first, of course, is about the action of this Government. When we came to government in 2001, there was a serious drought in Western Australia. It soon became obvious to us that that drought represented a long-term trend in Western Australia’s weather, and that we had a dry climate that was becoming drier. We took action on that matter. The previous Government had a brilliant policy. It built dams, but, of course, no water is going into them. That was a brilliant policy from the Liberal Party. We marshalled the community of Western Australia and had consultations around the State. We had the water summit in this Parliament, and a range of initiatives have followed from that. First of all, we are engaging the public of Western Australia through an incentive program. Secondly, we are building the recycling plant in Kwinana. Thirdly, we are discussing the question of better efficiency of the State’s irrigation system. We have already established meters in the Gnangara mound to assist with that process. Fourthly, we have taken steps to improve our ability to access underground water in Western Australia. Those measures are coupled with sprinkler restrictions, not a sprinkler ban. Other States have a complete ban on the use of sprinklers, which has devastated the nursery industry in those States. In Western Australia we have worked out that good gardens can be maintained while at the same time water is saved for the community. The Government’s policy has received universal support from the nursery industry. I urge members to look at the newspaper that is available at garden shops and nurseries throughout Western Australia and the supportive comments it contains about our policy. The Government has managed that problem by taking decisive action since it came to office. The Government also needs to take a longer-term step and has chosen desalination. Why has it chosen desalination? It is because it will provide 17 per cent more water to our system, independent of the weather. The climate in Western Australia is becoming drier due to global warming. We need a new source of water that is independent of the weather. Western Australia is the first State in Australia to move in this direction. I make a prediction that other States will follow Western Australia in making a decision on desalination. We have led the way. Because the State’s finances are in good shape, the Government is able to fund the desalination plant. The desalination plant has gone through all the environmental approval processes. The best technology will be used to create that plant. When it comes to the election there will be a clear choice. The Labor Party will be committed to a desalination plant to get a weather-independent source of water for the people of Western Australia. The Liberal Party will oppose it. This is another example of where the Western Australian Liberal Party is today. Members on this side of the House are looking to the future. The Government recognises global warming and is doing something about it. Our climate is getting drier, so the Government is doing something about it. The Government has looked at the population pressures on our city and is doing something about it. It has looked at the environmental amenity of our city and is building a railway to Mandurah. This is a Government of the future, whereas the Opposition is belted to the past. Make no mistake; that is where it will stay.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT: That is a shameful thing to say in a Parliament. I refer the Premier to comments made on ABC radio today by eminent water expert Professor Jorg Imberger regarding the launch today of yet another government report on the future of water resources in Western Australia. Professor Imberger said - . . . this is the last in a long list of reports . . . there’s been no action on any of these issues . . . and all of a sudden now we sort of make a big spiel about it . . . of all the options that were available, or are available, the desalination plant probably doesn’t stack up on an economic basis, it doesn’t stack up on a social base and also it just doesn’t stack up from an environmental basis. (1) Will the Premier now admit that his recent announcement of a $350 million desalination plant, which nobody supports, is simply a panicked, last-minute attempt to address a blatant failure in water planning by his Government over the past three and a half years? (2) Will the Premier now admit that the desalination plant, which will emit more than 100 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas into the atmosphere every year and is likely to cause significant environmental damage to Cockburn Sound, represents a poor, if not the worst, option to solve our current and future water shortages? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I beg to differ from Professor Imberger on the two points he made. The first, of course, is about the action of this Government. When we came to government in 2001, there was a serious drought in Western Australia. It soon became obvious to us that that drought represented a long-term trend in Western Australia’s weather, and that we had a dry climate that was becoming drier. We took action on that matter. The previous Government had a brilliant policy. It built dams, but, of course, no water is going into them. That was a brilliant policy from the Liberal Party. We marshalled the community of Western Australia and had consultations around the State. We had the water summit in this Parliament, and a range of initiatives have followed from that. First of all, we are engaging the public of Western Australia through an incentive program. Secondly, we are building the recycling plant in Kwinana. Thirdly, we are discussing the question of better efficiency of the State’s irrigation system. We have already established meters in the Gnangara mound to assist with that process. Fourthly, we have taken steps to improve our ability to access underground water in Western Australia. Those measures are coupled with sprinkler restrictions, not a sprinkler ban. Other States have a complete ban on the use of sprinklers, which has devastated the nursery industry in those States. In Western Australia we have worked out that good gardens can be maintained while at the same time water is saved for the community. The Government’s policy has received universal support from the nursery industry. I urge members to look at the newspaper that is available at garden shops and nurseries throughout Western Australia and the supportive comments it contains about our policy. The Government has managed that problem by taking decisive action since it came to office. The Government also needs to take a longer-term step and has chosen desalination. Why has it chosen desalination? It is because it will provide 17 per cent more water to our system, independent of the weather. The climate in Western Australia is becoming drier due to global warming. We need a new source of water that is independent of the weather. Western Australia is the first State in Australia to move in this direction. I make a prediction that other States will follow Western Australia in making a decision on desalination. We have led the way. Because the State’s finances are in good shape, the Government is able to fund the desalination plant. The desalination plant has gone through all the environmental approval processes. The best technology will be used to create that plant. When it comes to the election there will be a clear choice. The Labor Party will be committed to a desalination plant to get a weather-independent source of water for the people of Western Australia. The Liberal Party will oppose it. This is another example of where the Western Australian Liberal Party is today. Members on this side of the House are looking to the future. The Government recognises global warming and is doing something about it. Our climate is getting drier, so the Government is doing something about it. The Government has looked at the population pressures on our city and is doing something about it. It has looked at the environmental amenity of our city and is building a railway to Mandurah. This is a Government of the future, whereas the Opposition is belted to the past. Make no mistake; that is where it will stay.
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT: That is a shameful thing to say in a Parliament. I refer the Premier to comments made on ABC radio today by eminent water expert Professor Jorg Imberger regarding the launch today of yet another government report on the future of water resources in Western Australia. Professor Imberger said - . . . this is the last in a long list of reports . . . there’s been no action on any of these issues . . . and all of a sudden now we sort of make a big spiel about it . . . of all the options that were available, or are available, the desalination plant probably doesn’t stack up on an economic basis, it doesn’t stack up on a social base and also it just doesn’t stack up from an environmental basis. (1) Will the Premier now admit that his recent announcement of a $350 million desalination plant, which nobody supports, is simply a panicked, last-minute attempt to address a blatant failure in water planning by his Government over the past three and a half years? (2) Will the Premier now admit that the desalination plant, which will emit more than 100 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas into the atmosphere every year and is likely to cause significant environmental damage to Cockburn Sound, represents a poor, if not the worst, option to solve our current and future water shortages? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I beg to differ from Professor Imberger on the two points he made. The first, of course, is about the action of this Government. When we came to government in 2001, there was a serious drought in Western Australia. It soon became obvious to us that that drought represented a long-term trend in Western Australia’s weather, and that we had a dry climate that was becoming drier. We took action on that matter. The previous Government had a brilliant policy. It built dams, but, of course, no water is going into them. That was a brilliant policy from the Liberal Party. We marshalled the community of Western Australia and had consultations around the State. We had the water summit in this Parliament, and a range of initiatives have followed from that. First of all, we are engaging the public of Western Australia through an incentive program. Secondly, we are building the recycling plant in Kwinana. Thirdly, we are discussing the question of better efficiency of the State’s irrigation system. We have already established meters in the Gnangara mound to assist with that process. Fourthly, we have taken steps to improve our ability to access underground water in Western Australia. Those measures are coupled with sprinkler restrictions, not a sprinkler ban. Other States have a complete ban on the use of sprinklers, which has devastated the nursery industry in those States. In Western Australia we have worked out that good gardens can be maintained while at the same time water is saved for the community. The Government’s policy has received universal support from the nursery industry. I urge members to look at the newspaper that is available at garden shops and nurseries throughout Western Australia and the supportive comments it contains about our policy. The Government has managed that problem by taking decisive action since it came to office. The Government also needs to take a longer-term step and has chosen desalination. Why has it chosen desalination? It is because it will provide 17 per cent more water to our system, independent of the weather. The climate in Western Australia is becoming drier due to global warming. We need a new source of water that is independent of the weather. Western Australia is the first State in Australia to move in this direction. I make a prediction that other States will follow Western Australia in making a decision on desalination. We have led the way. Because the State’s finances are in good shape, the Government is able to fund the desalination plant. The desalination plant has gone through all the environmental approval processes. The best technology will be used to create that plant. When it comes to the election there will be a clear choice. The Labor Party will be committed to a desalination plant to get a weather-independent source of water for the people of Western Australia. The Liberal Party will oppose it. This is another example of where the Western Australian Liberal Party is today. Members on this side of the House are looking to the future. The Government recognises global warming and is doing something about it. Our climate is getting drier, so the Government is doing something about it. The Government has looked at the population pressures on our city and is doing something about it. It has looked at the environmental amenity of our city and is building a railway to Mandurah. This is a Government of the future, whereas the Opposition is belted to the past. Make no mistake; that is where it will stay.
Mr C.J. BARNETT: That is a shameful thing to say in a Parliament. I refer the Premier to comments made on ABC radio today by eminent water expert Professor Jorg Imberger regarding the launch today of yet another government report on the future of water resources in Western Australia. Professor Imberger said - . . . this is the last in a long list of reports . . . there’s been no action on any of these issues . . . and all of a sudden now we sort of make a big spiel about it . . . of all the options that were available, or are available, the desalination plant probably doesn’t stack up on an economic basis, it doesn’t stack up on a social base and also it just doesn’t stack up from an environmental basis. (1) Will the Premier now admit that his recent announcement of a $350 million desalination plant, which nobody supports, is simply a panicked, last-minute attempt to address a blatant failure in water planning by his Government over the past three and a half years? (2) Will the Premier now admit that the desalination plant, which will emit more than 100 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas into the atmosphere every year and is likely to cause significant environmental damage to Cockburn Sound, represents a poor, if not the worst, option to solve our current and future water shortages? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I beg to differ from Professor Imberger on the two points he made. The first, of course, is about the action of this Government. When we came to government in 2001, there was a serious drought in Western Australia. It soon became obvious to us that that drought represented a long-term trend in Western Australia’s weather, and that we had a dry climate that was becoming drier. We took action on that matter. The previous Government had a brilliant policy. It built dams, but, of course, no water is going into them. That was a brilliant policy from the Liberal Party. We marshalled the community of Western Australia and had consultations around the State. We had the water summit in this Parliament, and a range of initiatives have followed from that. First of all, we are engaging the public of Western Australia through an incentive program. Secondly, we are building the recycling plant in Kwinana. Thirdly, we are discussing the question of better efficiency of the State’s irrigation system. We have already established meters in the Gnangara mound to assist with that process. Fourthly, we have taken steps to improve our ability to access underground water in Western Australia. Those measures are coupled with sprinkler restrictions, not a sprinkler ban. Other States have a complete ban on the use of sprinklers, which has devastated the nursery industry in those States. In Western Australia we have worked out that good gardens can be maintained while at the same time water is saved for the community. The Government’s policy has received universal support from the nursery industry. I urge members to look at the newspaper that is available at garden shops and nurseries throughout Western Australia and the supportive comments it contains about our policy. The Government has managed that problem by taking decisive action since it came to office. The Government also needs to take a longer-term step and has chosen desalination. Why has it chosen desalination? It is because it will provide 17 per cent more water to our system, independent of the weather. The climate in Western Australia is becoming drier due to global warming. We need a new source of water that is independent of the weather. Western Australia is the first State in Australia to move in this direction. I make a prediction that other States will follow Western Australia in making a decision on desalination. We have led the way. Because the State’s finances are in good shape, the Government is able to fund the desalination plant. The desalination plant has gone through all the environmental approval processes. The best technology will be used to create that plant. When it comes to the election there will be a clear choice. The Labor Party will be committed to a desalination plant to get a weather-independent source of water for the people of Western Australia. The Liberal Party will oppose it. This is another example of where the Western Australian Liberal Party is today. Members on this side of the House are looking to the future. The Government recognises global warming and is doing something about it. Our climate is getting drier, so the Government is doing something about it. The Government has looked at the population pressures on our city and is doing something about it. It has looked at the environmental amenity of our city and is building a railway to Mandurah. This is a Government of the future, whereas the Opposition is belted to the past. Make no mistake; that is where it will stay.
I refer the Premier to comments made on ABC radio today by eminent water expert Professor Jorg Imberger regarding the launch today of yet another government report on the future of water resources in Western Australia. Professor Imberger said - . . . this is the last in a long list of reports . . . there’s been no action on any of these issues . . . and all of a sudden now we sort of make a big spiel about it . . . of all the options that were available, or are available, the desalination plant probably doesn’t stack up on an economic basis, it doesn’t stack up on a social base and also it just doesn’t stack up from an environmental basis. (1) Will the Premier now admit that his recent announcement of a $350 million desalination plant, which nobody supports, is simply a panicked, last-minute attempt to address a blatant failure in water planning by his Government over the past three and a half years? (2) Will the Premier now admit that the desalination plant, which will emit more than 100 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas into the atmosphere every year and is likely to cause significant environmental damage to Cockburn Sound, represents a poor, if not the worst, option to solve our current and future water shortages? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I beg to differ from Professor Imberger on the two points he made. The first, of course, is about the action of this Government. When we came to government in 2001, there was a serious drought in Western Australia. It soon became obvious to us that that drought represented a long-term trend in Western Australia’s weather, and that we had a dry climate that was becoming drier. We took action on that matter. The previous Government had a brilliant policy. It built dams, but, of course, no water is going into them. That was a brilliant policy from the Liberal Party. We marshalled the community of Western Australia and had consultations around the State. We had the water summit in this Parliament, and a range of initiatives have followed from that. First of all, we are engaging the public of Western Australia through an incentive program. Secondly, we are building the recycling plant in Kwinana. Thirdly, we are discussing the question of better efficiency of the State’s irrigation system. We have already established meters in the Gnangara mound to assist with that process. Fourthly, we have taken steps to improve our ability to access underground water in Western Australia. Those measures are coupled with sprinkler restrictions, not a sprinkler ban. Other States have a complete ban on the use of sprinklers, which has devastated the nursery industry in those States. In Western Australia we have worked out that good gardens can be maintained while at the same time water is saved for the community. The Government’s policy has received universal support from the nursery industry. I urge members to look at the newspaper that is available at garden shops and nurseries throughout Western Australia and the supportive comments it contains about our policy. The Government has managed that problem by taking decisive action since it came to office. The Government also needs to take a longer-term step and has chosen desalination. Why has it chosen desalination? It is because it will provide 17 per cent more water to our system, independent of the weather. The climate in Western Australia is becoming drier due to global warming. We need a new source of water that is independent of the weather. Western Australia is the first State in Australia to move in this direction. I make a prediction that other States will follow Western Australia in making a decision on desalination. We have led the way. Because the State’s finances are in good shape, the Government is able to fund the desalination plant. The desalination plant has gone through all the environmental approval processes. The best technology will be used to create that plant. When it comes to the election there will be a clear choice. The Labor Party will be committed to a desalination plant to get a weather-independent source of water for the people of Western Australia. The Liberal Party will oppose it. This is another example of where the Western Australian Liberal Party is today. Members on this side of the House are looking to the future. The Government recognises global warming and is doing something about it. Our climate is getting drier, so the Government is doing something about it. The Government has looked at the population pressures on our city and is doing something about it. It has looked at the environmental amenity of our city and is building a railway to Mandurah. This is a Government of the future, whereas the Opposition is belted to the past. Make no mistake; that is where it will stay.
(2) Will the Premier now admit that the desalination plant, which will emit more than 100 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas into the atmosphere every year and is likely to cause significant environmental damage to Cockburn Sound, represents a poor, if not the worst, option to solve our current and future water shortages? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I beg to differ from Professor Imberger on the two points he made. The first, of course, is about the action of this Government. When we came to government in 2001, there was a serious drought in Western Australia. It soon became obvious to us that that drought represented a long-term trend in Western Australia’s weather, and that we had a dry climate that was becoming drier. We took action on that matter. The previous Government had a brilliant policy. It built dams, but, of course, no water is going into them. That was a brilliant policy from the Liberal Party. We marshalled the community of Western Australia and had consultations around the State. We had the water summit in this Parliament, and a range of initiatives have followed from that. First of all, we are engaging the public of Western Australia through an incentive program. Secondly, we are building the recycling plant in Kwinana. Thirdly, we are discussing the question of better efficiency of the State’s irrigation system. We have already established meters in the Gnangara mound to assist with that process. Fourthly, we have taken steps to improve our ability to access underground water in Western Australia. Those measures are coupled with sprinkler restrictions, not a sprinkler ban. Other States have a complete ban on the use of sprinklers, which has devastated the nursery industry in those States. In Western Australia we have worked out that good gardens can be maintained while at the same time water is saved for the community. The Government’s policy has received universal support from the nursery industry. I urge members to look at the newspaper that is available at garden shops and nurseries throughout Western Australia and the supportive comments it contains about our policy. The Government has managed that problem by taking decisive action since it came to office. The Government also needs to take a longer-term step and has chosen desalination. Why has it chosen desalination? It is because it will provide 17 per cent more water to our system, independent of the weather. The climate in Western Australia is becoming drier due to global warming. We need a new source of water that is independent of the weather. Western Australia is the first State in Australia to move in this direction. I make a prediction that other States will follow Western Australia in making a decision on desalination. We have led the way. Because the State’s finances are in good shape, the Government is able to fund the desalination plant. The desalination plant has gone through all the environmental approval processes. The best technology will be used to create that plant. When it comes to the election there will be a clear choice. The Labor Party will be committed to a desalination plant to get a weather-independent source of water for the people of Western Australia. The Liberal Party will oppose it. This is another example of where the Western Australian Liberal Party is today. Members on this side of the House are looking to the future. The Government recognises global warming and is doing something about it. Our climate is getting drier, so the Government is doing something about it. The Government has looked at the population pressures on our city and is doing something about it. It has looked at the environmental amenity of our city and is building a railway to Mandurah. This is a Government of the future, whereas the Opposition is belted to the past. Make no mistake; that is where it will stay.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I beg to differ from Professor Imberger on the two points he made. The first, of course, is about the action of this Government. When we came to government in 2001, there was a serious drought in Western Australia. It soon became obvious to us that that drought represented a long-term trend in Western Australia’s weather, and that we had a dry climate that was becoming drier. We took action on that matter. The previous Government had a brilliant policy. It built dams, but, of course, no water is going into them. That was a brilliant policy from the Liberal Party. We marshalled the community of Western Australia and had consultations around the State. We had the water summit in this Parliament, and a range of initiatives have followed from that. First of all, we are engaging the public of Western Australia through an incentive program. Secondly, we are building the recycling plant in Kwinana. Thirdly, we are discussing the question of better efficiency of the State’s irrigation system. We have already established meters in the Gnangara mound to assist with that process. Fourthly, we have taken steps to improve our ability to access underground water in Western Australia. Those measures are coupled with sprinkler restrictions, not a sprinkler ban. Other States have a complete ban on the use of sprinklers, which has devastated the nursery industry in those States. In Western Australia we have worked out that good gardens can be maintained while at the same time water is saved for the community. The Government’s policy has received universal support from the nursery industry. I urge members to look at the newspaper that is available at garden shops and nurseries throughout Western Australia and the supportive comments it contains about our policy. The Government has managed that problem by taking decisive action since it came to office. The Government also needs to take a longer-term step and has chosen desalination. Why has it chosen desalination? It is because it will provide 17 per cent more water to our system, independent of the weather. The climate in Western Australia is becoming drier due to global warming. We need a new source of water that is independent of the weather. Western Australia is the first State in Australia to move in this direction. I make a prediction that other States will follow Western Australia in making a decision on desalination. We have led the way. Because the State’s finances are in good shape, the Government is able to fund the desalination plant. The desalination plant has gone through all the environmental approval processes. The best technology will be used to create that plant. When it comes to the election there will be a clear choice. The Labor Party will be committed to a desalination plant to get a weather-independent source of water for the people of Western Australia. The Liberal Party will oppose it. This is another example of where the Western Australian Liberal Party is today. Members on this side of the House are looking to the future. The Government recognises global warming and is doing something about it. Our climate is getting drier, so the Government is doing something about it. The Government has looked at the population pressures on our city and is doing something about it. It has looked at the environmental amenity of our city and is building a railway to Mandurah. This is a Government of the future, whereas the Opposition is belted to the past. Make no mistake; that is where it will stay.
(1)-(2) I beg to differ from Professor Imberger on the two points he made. The first, of course, is about the action of this Government. When we came to government in 2001, there was a serious drought in Western Australia. It soon became obvious to us that that drought represented a long-term trend in Western Australia’s weather, and that we had a dry climate that was becoming drier. We took action on that matter. The previous Government had a brilliant policy. It built dams, but, of course, no water is going into them. That was a brilliant policy from the Liberal Party. We marshalled the community of Western Australia and had consultations around the State. We had the water summit in this Parliament, and a range of initiatives have followed from that. First of all, we are engaging the public of Western Australia through an incentive program. Secondly, we are building the recycling plant in Kwinana. Thirdly, we are discussing the question of better efficiency of the State’s irrigation system. We have already established meters in the Gnangara mound to assist with that process. Fourthly, we have taken steps to improve our ability to access underground water in Western Australia. Those measures are coupled with sprinkler restrictions, not a sprinkler ban. Other States have a complete ban on the use of sprinklers, which has devastated the nursery industry in those States. In Western Australia we have worked out that good gardens can be maintained while at the same time water is saved for the community. The Government’s policy has received universal support from the nursery industry. I urge members to look at the newspaper that is available at garden shops and nurseries throughout Western Australia and the supportive comments it contains about our policy. The Government has managed that problem by taking decisive action since it came to office. The Government also needs to take a longer-term step and has chosen desalination. Why has it chosen desalination? It is because it will provide 17 per cent more water to our system, independent of the weather. The climate in Western Australia is becoming drier due to global warming. We need a new source of water that is independent of the weather. Western Australia is the first State in Australia to move in this direction. I make a prediction that other States will follow Western Australia in making a decision on desalination. We have led the way. Because the State’s finances are in good shape, the Government is able to fund the desalination plant. The desalination plant has gone through all the environmental approval processes. The best technology will be used to create that plant. When it comes to the election there will be a clear choice. The Labor Party will be committed to a desalination plant to get a weather-independent source of water for the people of Western Australia. The Liberal Party will oppose it. This is another example of where the Western Australian Liberal Party is today. Members on this side of the House are looking to the future. The Government recognises global warming and is doing something about it. Our climate is getting drier, so the Government is doing something about it. The Government has looked at the population pressures on our city and is doing something about it. It has looked at the environmental amenity of our city and is building a railway to Mandurah. This is a Government of the future, whereas the Opposition is belted to the past. Make no mistake; that is where it will stay.
The Government also needs to take a longer-term step and has chosen desalination. Why has it chosen desalination? It is because it will provide 17 per cent more water to our system, independent of the weather. The climate in Western Australia is becoming drier due to global warming. We need a new source of water that is independent of the weather. Western Australia is the first State in Australia to move in this direction. I make a prediction that other States will follow Western Australia in making a decision on desalination. We have led the way. Because the State’s finances are in good shape, the Government is able to fund the desalination plant. The desalination plant has gone through all the environmental approval processes. The best technology will be used to create that plant. When it comes to the election there will be a clear choice. The Labor Party will be committed to a desalination plant to get a weather-independent source of water for the people of Western Australia. The Liberal Party will oppose it. This is another example of where the Western Australian Liberal Party is today. Members on this side of the House are looking to the future. The Government recognises global warming and is doing something about it. Our climate is getting drier, so the Government is doing something about it. The Government has looked at the population pressures on our city and is doing something about it. It has looked at the environmental amenity of our city and is building a railway to Mandurah. This is a Government of the future, whereas the Opposition is belted to the past. Make no mistake; that is where it will stay.
When it comes to the election there will be a clear choice. The Labor Party will be committed to a desalination plant to get a weather-independent source of water for the people of Western Australia. The Liberal Party will oppose it. This is another example of where the Western Australian Liberal Party is today. Members on this side of the House are looking to the future. The Government recognises global warming and is doing something about it. Our climate is getting drier, so the Government is doing something about it. The Government has looked at the population pressures on our city and is doing something about it. It has looked at the environmental amenity of our city and is building a railway to Mandurah. This is a Government of the future, whereas the Opposition is belted to the past. Make no mistake; that is where it will stay.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT: That is a shameful thing to say in a Parliament. I refer the Premier to comments made on ABC radio today by eminent water expert Professor Jorg Imberger regarding the launch today of yet another government report on the future of water resources in Western Australia. Professor Imberger said - . . . this is the last in a long list of reports . . . there’s been no action on any of these issues . . . and all of a sudden now we sort of make a big spiel about it . . . of all the options that were available, or are available, the desalination plant probably doesn’t stack up on an economic basis, it doesn’t stack up on a social base and also it just doesn’t stack up from an environmental basis. (1) Will the Premier now admit that his recent announcement of a $350 million desalination plant, which nobody supports, is simply a panicked, last-minute attempt to address a blatant failure in water planning by his Government over the past three and a half years? (2) Will the Premier now admit that the desalination plant, which will emit more than 100 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas into the atmosphere every year and is likely to cause significant environmental damage to Cockburn Sound, represents a poor, if not the worst, option to solve our current and future water shortages? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I beg to differ from Professor Imberger on the two points he made. The first, of course, is about the action of this Government. When we came to government in 2001, there was a serious drought in Western Australia. It soon became obvious to us that that drought represented a long-term trend in Western Australia’s weather, and that we had a dry climate that was becoming drier. We took action on that matter. The previous Government had a brilliant policy. It built dams, but, of course, no water is going into them. That was a brilliant policy from the Liberal Party. We marshalled the community of Western Australia and had consultations around the State. We had the water summit in this Parliament, and a range of initiatives have followed from that. First of all, we are engaging the public of Western Australia through an incentive program. Secondly, we are building the recycling plant in Kwinana. Thirdly, we are discussing the question of better efficiency of the State’s irrigation system. We have already established meters in the Gnangara mound to assist with that process. Fourthly, we have taken steps to improve our ability to access underground water in Western Australia. Those measures are coupled with sprinkler restrictions, not a sprinkler ban. Other States have a complete ban on the use of sprinklers, which has devastated the nursery industry in those States. In Western Australia we have worked out that good gardens can be maintained while at the same time water is saved for the community. The Government’s policy has received universal support from the nursery industry. I urge members to look at the newspaper that is available at garden shops and nurseries throughout Western Australia and the supportive comments it contains about our policy. The Government has managed that problem by taking decisive action since it came to office. The Government also needs to take a longer-term step and has chosen desalination. Why has it chosen desalination? It is because it will provide 17 per cent more water to our system, independent of the weather. The climate in Western Australia is becoming drier due to global warming. We need a new source of water that is independent of the weather. Western Australia is the first State in Australia to move in this direction. I make a prediction that other States will follow Western Australia in making a decision on desalination. We have led the way. Because the State’s finances are in good shape, the Government is able to fund the desalination plant. The desalination plant has gone through all the environmental approval processes. The best technology will be used to create that plant. When it comes to the election there will be a clear choice. The Labor Party will be committed to a desalination plant to get a weather-independent source of water for the people of Western Australia. The Liberal Party will oppose it. This is another example of where the Western Australian Liberal Party is today. Members on this side of the House are looking to the future. The Government recognises global warming and is doing something about it. Our climate is getting drier, so the Government is doing something about it. The Government has looked at the population pressures on our city and is doing something about it. It has looked at the environmental amenity of our city and is building a railway to Mandurah. This is a Government of the future, whereas the Opposition is belted to the past. Make no mistake; that is where it will stay.
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr C.J. BARNETT: That is a shameful thing to say in a Parliament. I refer the Premier to comments made on ABC radio today by eminent water expert Professor Jorg Imberger regarding the launch today of yet another government report on the future of water resources in Western Australia. Professor Imberger said - . . . this is the last in a long list of reports . . . there’s been no action on any of these issues . . . and all of a sudden now we sort of make a big spiel about it . . . of all the options that were available, or are available, the desalination plant probably doesn’t stack up on an economic basis, it doesn’t stack up on a social base and also it just doesn’t stack up from an environmental basis. (1) Will the Premier now admit that his recent announcement of a $350 million desalination plant, which nobody supports, is simply a panicked, last-minute attempt to address a blatant failure in water planning by his Government over the past three and a half years? (2) Will the Premier now admit that the desalination plant, which will emit more than 100 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas into the atmosphere every year and is likely to cause significant environmental damage to Cockburn Sound, represents a poor, if not the worst, option to solve our current and future water shortages? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I beg to differ from Professor Imberger on the two points he made. The first, of course, is about the action of this Government. When we came to government in 2001, there was a serious drought in Western Australia. It soon became obvious to us that that drought represented a long-term trend in Western Australia’s weather, and that we had a dry climate that was becoming drier. We took action on that matter. The previous Government had a brilliant policy. It built dams, but, of course, no water is going into them. That was a brilliant policy from the Liberal Party. We marshalled the community of Western Australia and had consultations around the State. We had the water summit in this Parliament, and a range of initiatives have followed from that. First of all, we are engaging the public of Western Australia through an incentive program. Secondly, we are building the recycling plant in Kwinana. Thirdly, we are discussing the question of better efficiency of the State’s irrigation system. We have already established meters in the Gnangara mound to assist with that process. Fourthly, we have taken steps to improve our ability to access underground water in Western Australia. Those measures are coupled with sprinkler restrictions, not a sprinkler ban. Other States have a complete ban on the use of sprinklers, which has devastated the nursery industry in those States. In Western Australia we have worked out that good gardens can be maintained while at the same time water is saved for the community. The Government’s policy has received universal support from the nursery industry. I urge members to look at the newspaper that is available at garden shops and nurseries throughout Western Australia and the supportive comments it contains about our policy. The Government has managed that problem by taking decisive action since it came to office. The Government also needs to take a longer-term step and has chosen desalination. Why has it chosen desalination? It is because it will provide 17 per cent more water to our system, independent of the weather. The climate in Western Australia is becoming drier due to global warming. We need a new source of water that is independent of the weather. Western Australia is the first State in Australia to move in this direction. I make a prediction that other States will follow Western Australia in making a decision on desalination. We have led the way. Because the State’s finances are in good shape, the Government is able to fund the desalination plant. The desalination plant has gone through all the environmental approval processes. The best technology will be used to create that plant. When it comes to the election there will be a clear choice. The Labor Party will be committed to a desalination plant to get a weather-independent source of water for the people of Western Australia. The Liberal Party will oppose it. This is another example of where the Western Australian Liberal Party is today. Members on this side of the House are looking to the future. The Government recognises global warming and is doing something about it. Our climate is getting drier, so the Government is doing something about it. The Government has looked at the population pressures on our city and is doing something about it. It has looked at the environmental amenity of our city and is building a railway to Mandurah. This is a Government of the future, whereas the Opposition is belted to the past. Make no mistake; that is where it will stay.
Mr C.J. BARNETT: That is a shameful thing to say in a Parliament. I refer the Premier to comments made on ABC radio today by eminent water expert Professor Jorg Imberger regarding the launch today of yet another government report on the future of water resources in Western Australia. Professor Imberger said - . . . this is the last in a long list of reports . . . there’s been no action on any of these issues . . . and all of a sudden now we sort of make a big spiel about it . . . of all the options that were available, or are available, the desalination plant probably doesn’t stack up on an economic basis, it doesn’t stack up on a social base and also it just doesn’t stack up from an environmental basis. (1) Will the Premier now admit that his recent announcement of a $350 million desalination plant, which nobody supports, is simply a panicked, last-minute attempt to address a blatant failure in water planning by his Government over the past three and a half years? (2) Will the Premier now admit that the desalination plant, which will emit more than 100 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas into the atmosphere every year and is likely to cause significant environmental damage to Cockburn Sound, represents a poor, if not the worst, option to solve our current and future water shortages? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I beg to differ from Professor Imberger on the two points he made. The first, of course, is about the action of this Government. When we came to government in 2001, there was a serious drought in Western Australia. It soon became obvious to us that that drought represented a long-term trend in Western Australia’s weather, and that we had a dry climate that was becoming drier. We took action on that matter. The previous Government had a brilliant policy. It built dams, but, of course, no water is going into them. That was a brilliant policy from the Liberal Party. We marshalled the community of Western Australia and had consultations around the State. We had the water summit in this Parliament, and a range of initiatives have followed from that. First of all, we are engaging the public of Western Australia through an incentive program. Secondly, we are building the recycling plant in Kwinana. Thirdly, we are discussing the question of better efficiency of the State’s irrigation system. We have already established meters in the Gnangara mound to assist with that process. Fourthly, we have taken steps to improve our ability to access underground water in Western Australia. Those measures are coupled with sprinkler restrictions, not a sprinkler ban. Other States have a complete ban on the use of sprinklers, which has devastated the nursery industry in those States. In Western Australia we have worked out that good gardens can be maintained while at the same time water is saved for the community. The Government’s policy has received universal support from the nursery industry. I urge members to look at the newspaper that is available at garden shops and nurseries throughout Western Australia and the supportive comments it contains about our policy. The Government has managed that problem by taking decisive action since it came to office. The Government also needs to take a longer-term step and has chosen desalination. Why has it chosen desalination? It is because it will provide 17 per cent more water to our system, independent of the weather. The climate in Western Australia is becoming drier due to global warming. We need a new source of water that is independent of the weather. Western Australia is the first State in Australia to move in this direction. I make a prediction that other States will follow Western Australia in making a decision on desalination. We have led the way. Because the State’s finances are in good shape, the Government is able to fund the desalination plant. The desalination plant has gone through all the environmental approval processes. The best technology will be used to create that plant. When it comes to the election there will be a clear choice. The Labor Party will be committed to a desalination plant to get a weather-independent source of water for the people of Western Australia. The Liberal Party will oppose it. This is another example of where the Western Australian Liberal Party is today. Members on this side of the House are looking to the future. The Government recognises global warming and is doing something about it. Our climate is getting drier, so the Government is doing something about it. The Government has looked at the population pressures on our city and is doing something about it. It has looked at the environmental amenity of our city and is building a railway to Mandurah. This is a Government of the future, whereas the Opposition is belted to the past. Make no mistake; that is where it will stay.
I refer the Premier to comments made on ABC radio today by eminent water expert Professor Jorg Imberger regarding the launch today of yet another government report on the future of water resources in Western Australia. Professor Imberger said - . . . this is the last in a long list of reports . . . there’s been no action on any of these issues . . . and all of a sudden now we sort of make a big spiel about it . . . of all the options that were available, or are available, the desalination plant probably doesn’t stack up on an economic basis, it doesn’t stack up on a social base and also it just doesn’t stack up from an environmental basis. (1) Will the Premier now admit that his recent announcement of a $350 million desalination plant, which nobody supports, is simply a panicked, last-minute attempt to address a blatant failure in water planning by his Government over the past three and a half years? (2) Will the Premier now admit that the desalination plant, which will emit more than 100 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas into the atmosphere every year and is likely to cause significant environmental damage to Cockburn Sound, represents a poor, if not the worst, option to solve our current and future water shortages? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I beg to differ from Professor Imberger on the two points he made. The first, of course, is about the action of this Government. When we came to government in 2001, there was a serious drought in Western Australia. It soon became obvious to us that that drought represented a long-term trend in Western Australia’s weather, and that we had a dry climate that was becoming drier. We took action on that matter. The previous Government had a brilliant policy. It built dams, but, of course, no water is going into them. That was a brilliant policy from the Liberal Party. We marshalled the community of Western Australia and had consultations around the State. We had the water summit in this Parliament, and a range of initiatives have followed from that. First of all, we are engaging the public of Western Australia through an incentive program. Secondly, we are building the recycling plant in Kwinana. Thirdly, we are discussing the question of better efficiency of the State’s irrigation system. We have already established meters in the Gnangara mound to assist with that process. Fourthly, we have taken steps to improve our ability to access underground water in Western Australia. Those measures are coupled with sprinkler restrictions, not a sprinkler ban. Other States have a complete ban on the use of sprinklers, which has devastated the nursery industry in those States. In Western Australia we have worked out that good gardens can be maintained while at the same time water is saved for the community. The Government’s policy has received universal support from the nursery industry. I urge members to look at the newspaper that is available at garden shops and nurseries throughout Western Australia and the supportive comments it contains about our policy. The Government has managed that problem by taking decisive action since it came to office. The Government also needs to take a longer-term step and has chosen desalination. Why has it chosen desalination? It is because it will provide 17 per cent more water to our system, independent of the weather. The climate in Western Australia is becoming drier due to global warming. We need a new source of water that is independent of the weather. Western Australia is the first State in Australia to move in this direction. I make a prediction that other States will follow Western Australia in making a decision on desalination. We have led the way. Because the State’s finances are in good shape, the Government is able to fund the desalination plant. The desalination plant has gone through all the environmental approval processes. The best technology will be used to create that plant. When it comes to the election there will be a clear choice. The Labor Party will be committed to a desalination plant to get a weather-independent source of water for the people of Western Australia. The Liberal Party will oppose it. This is another example of where the Western Australian Liberal Party is today. Members on this side of the House are looking to the future. The Government recognises global warming and is doing something about it. Our climate is getting drier, so the Government is doing something about it. The Government has looked at the population pressures on our city and is doing something about it. It has looked at the environmental amenity of our city and is building a railway to Mandurah. This is a Government of the future, whereas the Opposition is belted to the past. Make no mistake; that is where it will stay.
(2) Will the Premier now admit that the desalination plant, which will emit more than 100 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas into the atmosphere every year and is likely to cause significant environmental damage to Cockburn Sound, represents a poor, if not the worst, option to solve our current and future water shortages? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I beg to differ from Professor Imberger on the two points he made. The first, of course, is about the action of this Government. When we came to government in 2001, there was a serious drought in Western Australia. It soon became obvious to us that that drought represented a long-term trend in Western Australia’s weather, and that we had a dry climate that was becoming drier. We took action on that matter. The previous Government had a brilliant policy. It built dams, but, of course, no water is going into them. That was a brilliant policy from the Liberal Party. We marshalled the community of Western Australia and had consultations around the State. We had the water summit in this Parliament, and a range of initiatives have followed from that. First of all, we are engaging the public of Western Australia through an incentive program. Secondly, we are building the recycling plant in Kwinana. Thirdly, we are discussing the question of better efficiency of the State’s irrigation system. We have already established meters in the Gnangara mound to assist with that process. Fourthly, we have taken steps to improve our ability to access underground water in Western Australia. Those measures are coupled with sprinkler restrictions, not a sprinkler ban. Other States have a complete ban on the use of sprinklers, which has devastated the nursery industry in those States. In Western Australia we have worked out that good gardens can be maintained while at the same time water is saved for the community. The Government’s policy has received universal support from the nursery industry. I urge members to look at the newspaper that is available at garden shops and nurseries throughout Western Australia and the supportive comments it contains about our policy. The Government has managed that problem by taking decisive action since it came to office. The Government also needs to take a longer-term step and has chosen desalination. Why has it chosen desalination? It is because it will provide 17 per cent more water to our system, independent of the weather. The climate in Western Australia is becoming drier due to global warming. We need a new source of water that is independent of the weather. Western Australia is the first State in Australia to move in this direction. I make a prediction that other States will follow Western Australia in making a decision on desalination. We have led the way. Because the State’s finances are in good shape, the Government is able to fund the desalination plant. The desalination plant has gone through all the environmental approval processes. The best technology will be used to create that plant. When it comes to the election there will be a clear choice. The Labor Party will be committed to a desalination plant to get a weather-independent source of water for the people of Western Australia. The Liberal Party will oppose it. This is another example of where the Western Australian Liberal Party is today. Members on this side of the House are looking to the future. The Government recognises global warming and is doing something about it. Our climate is getting drier, so the Government is doing something about it. The Government has looked at the population pressures on our city and is doing something about it. It has looked at the environmental amenity of our city and is building a railway to Mandurah. This is a Government of the future, whereas the Opposition is belted to the past. Make no mistake; that is where it will stay.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) I beg to differ from Professor Imberger on the two points he made. The first, of course, is about the action of this Government. When we came to government in 2001, there was a serious drought in Western Australia. It soon became obvious to us that that drought represented a long-term trend in Western Australia’s weather, and that we had a dry climate that was becoming drier. We took action on that matter. The previous Government had a brilliant policy. It built dams, but, of course, no water is going into them. That was a brilliant policy from the Liberal Party. We marshalled the community of Western Australia and had consultations around the State. We had the water summit in this Parliament, and a range of initiatives have followed from that. First of all, we are engaging the public of Western Australia through an incentive program. Secondly, we are building the recycling plant in Kwinana. Thirdly, we are discussing the question of better efficiency of the State’s irrigation system. We have already established meters in the Gnangara mound to assist with that process. Fourthly, we have taken steps to improve our ability to access underground water in Western Australia. Those measures are coupled with sprinkler restrictions, not a sprinkler ban. Other States have a complete ban on the use of sprinklers, which has devastated the nursery industry in those States. In Western Australia we have worked out that good gardens can be maintained while at the same time water is saved for the community. The Government’s policy has received universal support from the nursery industry. I urge members to look at the newspaper that is available at garden shops and nurseries throughout Western Australia and the supportive comments it contains about our policy. The Government has managed that problem by taking decisive action since it came to office. The Government also needs to take a longer-term step and has chosen desalination. Why has it chosen desalination? It is because it will provide 17 per cent more water to our system, independent of the weather. The climate in Western Australia is becoming drier due to global warming. We need a new source of water that is independent of the weather. Western Australia is the first State in Australia to move in this direction. I make a prediction that other States will follow Western Australia in making a decision on desalination. We have led the way. Because the State’s finances are in good shape, the Government is able to fund the desalination plant. The desalination plant has gone through all the environmental approval processes. The best technology will be used to create that plant. When it comes to the election there will be a clear choice. The Labor Party will be committed to a desalination plant to get a weather-independent source of water for the people of Western Australia. The Liberal Party will oppose it. This is another example of where the Western Australian Liberal Party is today. Members on this side of the House are looking to the future. The Government recognises global warming and is doing something about it. Our climate is getting drier, so the Government is doing something about it. The Government has looked at the population pressures on our city and is doing something about it. It has looked at the environmental amenity of our city and is building a railway to Mandurah. This is a Government of the future, whereas the Opposition is belted to the past. Make no mistake; that is where it will stay.
(1)-(2) I beg to differ from Professor Imberger on the two points he made. The first, of course, is about the action of this Government. When we came to government in 2001, there was a serious drought in Western Australia. It soon became obvious to us that that drought represented a long-term trend in Western Australia’s weather, and that we had a dry climate that was becoming drier. We took action on that matter. The previous Government had a brilliant policy. It built dams, but, of course, no water is going into them. That was a brilliant policy from the Liberal Party. We marshalled the community of Western Australia and had consultations around the State. We had the water summit in this Parliament, and a range of initiatives have followed from that. First of all, we are engaging the public of Western Australia through an incentive program. Secondly, we are building the recycling plant in Kwinana. Thirdly, we are discussing the question of better efficiency of the State’s irrigation system. We have already established meters in the Gnangara mound to assist with that process. Fourthly, we have taken steps to improve our ability to access underground water in Western Australia. Those measures are coupled with sprinkler restrictions, not a sprinkler ban. Other States have a complete ban on the use of sprinklers, which has devastated the nursery industry in those States. In Western Australia we have worked out that good gardens can be maintained while at the same time water is saved for the community. The Government’s policy has received universal support from the nursery industry. I urge members to look at the newspaper that is available at garden shops and nurseries throughout Western Australia and the supportive comments it contains about our policy. The Government has managed that problem by taking decisive action since it came to office. The Government also needs to take a longer-term step and has chosen desalination. Why has it chosen desalination? It is because it will provide 17 per cent more water to our system, independent of the weather. The climate in Western Australia is becoming drier due to global warming. We need a new source of water that is independent of the weather. Western Australia is the first State in Australia to move in this direction. I make a prediction that other States will follow Western Australia in making a decision on desalination. We have led the way. Because the State’s finances are in good shape, the Government is able to fund the desalination plant. The desalination plant has gone through all the environmental approval processes. The best technology will be used to create that plant. When it comes to the election there will be a clear choice. The Labor Party will be committed to a desalination plant to get a weather-independent source of water for the people of Western Australia. The Liberal Party will oppose it. This is another example of where the Western Australian Liberal Party is today. Members on this side of the House are looking to the future. The Government recognises global warming and is doing something about it. Our climate is getting drier, so the Government is doing something about it. The Government has looked at the population pressures on our city and is doing something about it. It has looked at the environmental amenity of our city and is building a railway to Mandurah. This is a Government of the future, whereas the Opposition is belted to the past. Make no mistake; that is where it will stay.
The Government also needs to take a longer-term step and has chosen desalination. Why has it chosen desalination? It is because it will provide 17 per cent more water to our system, independent of the weather. The climate in Western Australia is becoming drier due to global warming. We need a new source of water that is independent of the weather. Western Australia is the first State in Australia to move in this direction. I make a prediction that other States will follow Western Australia in making a decision on desalination. We have led the way. Because the State’s finances are in good shape, the Government is able to fund the desalination plant. The desalination plant has gone through all the environmental approval processes. The best technology will be used to create that plant. When it comes to the election there will be a clear choice. The Labor Party will be committed to a desalination plant to get a weather-independent source of water for the people of Western Australia. The Liberal Party will oppose it. This is another example of where the Western Australian Liberal Party is today. Members on this side of the House are looking to the future. The Government recognises global warming and is doing something about it. Our climate is getting drier, so the Government is doing something about it. The Government has looked at the population pressures on our city and is doing something about it. It has looked at the environmental amenity of our city and is building a railway to Mandurah. This is a Government of the future, whereas the Opposition is belted to the past. Make no mistake; that is where it will stay.
When it comes to the election there will be a clear choice. The Labor Party will be committed to a desalination plant to get a weather-independent source of water for the people of Western Australia. The Liberal Party will oppose it. This is another example of where the Western Australian Liberal Party is today. Members on this side of the House are looking to the future. The Government recognises global warming and is doing something about it. Our climate is getting drier, so the Government is doing something about it. The Government has looked at the population pressures on our city and is doing something about it. It has looked at the environmental amenity of our city and is building a railway to Mandurah. This is a Government of the future, whereas the Opposition is belted to the past. Make no mistake; that is where it will stay.
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