The question asks if the Treasurer is aware of a prior commitment against privatizing hospital and school cleaning. The Treasurer's response avoids a direct answer, focusing on value for money and criticizing the previous government's dealings with the Miscellaneous Workers' Union.

AnsweredQoN 708Legislative Assembly
Asked
15 September 2009
Portfolio
Treasurer

QuestionView source ↗

SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS — CLEANING SERVICES
Yes, I do, Mr Speaker. Was the Treasurer aware that the Premier, as the Leader of the Opposition on 5 September last year, gave a commitment in writing that a Liberal government ruled out privatisation of hospital and school cleaning? Mr T.R. BUSWELL

AnswerView source ↗

I am aware that the government has an obligation to deliver value for money to the taxpayers of Western Australia. I do not back away from that at all. We are not here—unlike the former government—to use taxpayers’ funds to subsidise the operations of the miscellaneous workers’ union. When I review the sordid history around this issue, I acknowledge the member for Willagee for standing up to them, but then the subsequent Minister for Education, Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, folded like a pack of cheap cards.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: I am aware that the government has an obligation to deliver value for money to the taxpayers of Western Australia. I do not back away from that at all. We are not here—unlike the former government—to use taxpayers’ funds to subsidise the operations of the miscellaneous workers’ union. When I review the sordid history around this issue, I acknowledge the member for Willagee for standing up to them, but then the subsequent Minister for Education, Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, folded like a pack of cheap cards.
I am aware that the government has an obligation to deliver value for money to the taxpayers of Western Australia. I do not back away from that at all. We are not here—unlike the former government—to use taxpayers’ funds to subsidise the operations of the miscellaneous workers’ union. When I review the sordid history around this issue, I acknowledge the member for Willagee for standing up to them, but then the subsequent Minister for Education, Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich, folded like a pack of cheap cards.

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