Question regarding transport infrastructure funding, specifically whether the state government is matching federal contributions, in response to comments made by Hon Wilson Tuckey. The Minister's answer defends the state's funding levels, claiming they exceed federal contributions by 300%.

AnsweredQoN 252Legislative Assembly
Asked
11 May 2006
Portfolio
Planning and Infrastructure

QuestionView source ↗

TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING
Yesterday Hon Wilson Tuckey announced to the media that the state government should match the transport infrastructure dollars that the federal government contributes to it. Will the minister please inform the house if the government is doing its fair share or if Mr Tuckey is on the wrong train? Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN

AnswerView source ↗

Yesterday we were beaten over the head with a very, very rusty iron bar, and survived. The standard of representation that we sometimes see in the federal government really does amaze me. Hon Wilson Tuckey said on radio yesterday that the role of the state government is roads, rates and rubbish. Here is a man suffering from complete confusion. We know, of course, that was the old description of the responsibilities of local government. Perhaps he has let the cat out of the bag, and that is what the federal government wants the state government to become responsible for. We know the federal government wants to take over education and health. We have massive responsibilities for health, education, community safety and, of course, transport infrastructure, including public transport infrastructure. Even with the increase in commitment that was made last week, the federal government on average will be giving us around $265 million a year for transport infrastructure. When we add our road, public transport and rail infrastructure, which we invest in each year, we are spending in excess of $1 000 million a year. We are not only matching what the federal government is putting in, but also beating it by 300 per cent.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN replied: Yesterday we were beaten over the head with a very, very rusty iron bar, and survived. The standard of representation that we sometimes see in the federal government really does amaze me. Hon Wilson Tuckey said on radio yesterday that the role of the state government is roads, rates and rubbish. Here is a man suffering from complete confusion. We know, of course, that was the old description of the responsibilities of local government. Perhaps he has let the cat out of the bag, and that is what the federal government wants the state government to become responsible for. We know the federal government wants to take over education and health. We have massive responsibilities for health, education, community safety and, of course, transport infrastructure, including public transport infrastructure. Even with the increase in commitment that was made last week, the federal government on average will be giving us around $265 million a year for transport infrastructure. When we add our road, public transport and rail infrastructure, which we invest in each year, we are spending in excess of $1 000 million a year. We are not only matching what the federal government is putting in, but also beating it by 300 per cent.
Yesterday we were beaten over the head with a very, very rusty iron bar, and survived. The standard of representation that we sometimes see in the federal government really does amaze me. Hon Wilson Tuckey said on radio yesterday that the role of the state government is roads, rates and rubbish. Here is a man suffering from complete confusion. We know, of course, that was the old description of the responsibilities of local government. Perhaps he has let the cat out of the bag, and that is what the federal government wants the state government to become responsible for. We know the federal government wants to take over education and health. We have massive responsibilities for health, education, community safety and, of course, transport infrastructure, including public transport infrastructure. Even with the increase in commitment that was made last week, the federal government on average will be giving us around $265 million a year for transport infrastructure. When we add our road, public transport and rail infrastructure, which we invest in each year, we are spending in excess of $1 000 million a year. We are not only matching what the federal government is putting in, but also beating it by 300 per cent.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more