❓ Opposition Leader Ripper questions Premier Barnett on disability support, citing a specific case and the Productivity Commission's recommendations. The Premier defends his government's funding commitment and criticises the opposition.
AnsweredQoN 446Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DISABILITY CARE AND SUPPORT — PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION
I refer to people such as Neva Stephens who has 14-year-old twin boys, with one twin, Josh, born with cerebral palsy, an intellectual disability and significant personal care needs. On her behalf, and on behalf of so many other families, I ask — (1) In the past 24 hours, why has the Premier put partisan politics above any sympathy whatsoever to people such as Neva whose lives are dominated by the care needs of their children with disabilities? (2) The Premier said yesterday that the system in place in this state to support people with disabilities is the best system operating in any Australian state. Does the Premier concede that many people in desperate, heart-breaking need of family services are nevertheless missing out on state help? (3) Will the Premier apologise to Neva and those with disabilities and their families—who stand ready to help develop policy with this government—for the Premier’s insulting comments about their decades-long campaign and the recommendations of the Productivity Commission? The SPEAKER : Before the Premier answers that question, I indicate to all members, including the Leader of the Opposition, that within that question is the seeking of opinion which is not necessarily what should be a component of a question in this place. I am sure that the Premier will answer the question, but I just provide that particular information to all members in this place. Mr C.J. BARNETT
I refer to people such as Neva Stephens who has 14-year-old twin boys, with one twin, Josh, born with cerebral palsy, an intellectual disability and significant personal care needs. On her behalf, and on behalf of so many other families, I ask — (1) In the past 24 hours, why has the Premier put partisan politics above any sympathy whatsoever to people such as Neva whose lives are dominated by the care needs of their children with disabilities? (2) The Premier said yesterday that the system in place in this state to support people with disabilities is the best system operating in any Australian state. Does the Premier concede that many people in desperate, heart-breaking need of family services are nevertheless missing out on state help? (3) Will the Premier apologise to Neva and those with disabilities and their families—who stand ready to help develop policy with this government—for the Premier’s insulting comments about their decades-long campaign and the recommendations of the Productivity Commission? The SPEAKER : Before the Premier answers that question, I indicate to all members, including the Leader of the Opposition, that within that question is the seeking of opinion which is not necessarily what should be a component of a question in this place. I am sure that the Premier will answer the question, but I just provide that particular information to all members in this place. Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I do not know the child or the family concerned. I would be happy to meet with them — Mr E.S. Ripper : Good. We will arrange that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We will arrange it. I remind members of this house that the main feature of the last state budget was a historic commitment by the Liberal–National government to provide over $600 million in additional funding to not-for-profit community groups. That funding will go to over 300 000 people with a disability and to over 300 community-based organisations. An immediate 15 per cent increase in funding has already been received by those community-based organisations, and an average further 10 per cent will be allocated within two years. No other government, whether it be in Western Australia or any other state, or indeed the commonwealth, has ever in Australian history shown such a significant, dramatic and expensive commitment to people with a disability and their families as the Liberal–National government in this state. That is the truth of the matter. We all know that the disability sector in this state approached the former Labor government and was rejected by it. We all know that; the sector was rejected by them. The hypocrisy with the opposition coming in here now running errands for Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten, which is exactly what it is doing — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
(1) In the past 24 hours, why has the Premier put partisan politics above any sympathy whatsoever to people such as Neva whose lives are dominated by the care needs of their children with disabilities? (2) The Premier said yesterday that the system in place in this state to support people with disabilities is the best system operating in any Australian state. Does the Premier concede that many people in desperate, heart-breaking need of family services are nevertheless missing out on state help? (3) Will the Premier apologise to Neva and those with disabilities and their families—who stand ready to help develop policy with this government—for the Premier’s insulting comments about their decades-long campaign and the recommendations of the Productivity Commission? The SPEAKER : Before the Premier answers that question, I indicate to all members, including the Leader of the Opposition, that within that question is the seeking of opinion which is not necessarily what should be a component of a question in this place. I am sure that the Premier will answer the question, but I just provide that particular information to all members in this place. Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I do not know the child or the family concerned. I would be happy to meet with them — Mr E.S. Ripper : Good. We will arrange that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We will arrange it. I remind members of this house that the main feature of the last state budget was a historic commitment by the Liberal–National government to provide over $600 million in additional funding to not-for-profit community groups. That funding will go to over 300 000 people with a disability and to over 300 community-based organisations. An immediate 15 per cent increase in funding has already been received by those community-based organisations, and an average further 10 per cent will be allocated within two years. No other government, whether it be in Western Australia or any other state, or indeed the commonwealth, has ever in Australian history shown such a significant, dramatic and expensive commitment to people with a disability and their families as the Liberal–National government in this state. That is the truth of the matter. We all know that the disability sector in this state approached the former Labor government and was rejected by it. We all know that; the sector was rejected by them. The hypocrisy with the opposition coming in here now running errands for Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten, which is exactly what it is doing — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
(2) The Premier said yesterday that the system in place in this state to support people with disabilities is the best system operating in any Australian state. Does the Premier concede that many people in desperate, heart-breaking need of family services are nevertheless missing out on state help? (3) Will the Premier apologise to Neva and those with disabilities and their families—who stand ready to help develop policy with this government—for the Premier’s insulting comments about their decades-long campaign and the recommendations of the Productivity Commission? The SPEAKER : Before the Premier answers that question, I indicate to all members, including the Leader of the Opposition, that within that question is the seeking of opinion which is not necessarily what should be a component of a question in this place. I am sure that the Premier will answer the question, but I just provide that particular information to all members in this place. Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I do not know the child or the family concerned. I would be happy to meet with them — Mr E.S. Ripper : Good. We will arrange that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We will arrange it. I remind members of this house that the main feature of the last state budget was a historic commitment by the Liberal–National government to provide over $600 million in additional funding to not-for-profit community groups. That funding will go to over 300 000 people with a disability and to over 300 community-based organisations. An immediate 15 per cent increase in funding has already been received by those community-based organisations, and an average further 10 per cent will be allocated within two years. No other government, whether it be in Western Australia or any other state, or indeed the commonwealth, has ever in Australian history shown such a significant, dramatic and expensive commitment to people with a disability and their families as the Liberal–National government in this state. That is the truth of the matter. We all know that the disability sector in this state approached the former Labor government and was rejected by it. We all know that; the sector was rejected by them. The hypocrisy with the opposition coming in here now running errands for Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten, which is exactly what it is doing — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
(3) Will the Premier apologise to Neva and those with disabilities and their families—who stand ready to help develop policy with this government—for the Premier’s insulting comments about their decades-long campaign and the recommendations of the Productivity Commission? The SPEAKER : Before the Premier answers that question, I indicate to all members, including the Leader of the Opposition, that within that question is the seeking of opinion which is not necessarily what should be a component of a question in this place. I am sure that the Premier will answer the question, but I just provide that particular information to all members in this place. Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I do not know the child or the family concerned. I would be happy to meet with them — Mr E.S. Ripper : Good. We will arrange that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We will arrange it. I remind members of this house that the main feature of the last state budget was a historic commitment by the Liberal–National government to provide over $600 million in additional funding to not-for-profit community groups. That funding will go to over 300 000 people with a disability and to over 300 community-based organisations. An immediate 15 per cent increase in funding has already been received by those community-based organisations, and an average further 10 per cent will be allocated within two years. No other government, whether it be in Western Australia or any other state, or indeed the commonwealth, has ever in Australian history shown such a significant, dramatic and expensive commitment to people with a disability and their families as the Liberal–National government in this state. That is the truth of the matter. We all know that the disability sector in this state approached the former Labor government and was rejected by it. We all know that; the sector was rejected by them. The hypocrisy with the opposition coming in here now running errands for Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten, which is exactly what it is doing — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
The SPEAKER : Before the Premier answers that question, I indicate to all members, including the Leader of the Opposition, that within that question is the seeking of opinion which is not necessarily what should be a component of a question in this place. I am sure that the Premier will answer the question, but I just provide that particular information to all members in this place. Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I do not know the child or the family concerned. I would be happy to meet with them — Mr E.S. Ripper : Good. We will arrange that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We will arrange it. I remind members of this house that the main feature of the last state budget was a historic commitment by the Liberal–National government to provide over $600 million in additional funding to not-for-profit community groups. That funding will go to over 300 000 people with a disability and to over 300 community-based organisations. An immediate 15 per cent increase in funding has already been received by those community-based organisations, and an average further 10 per cent will be allocated within two years. No other government, whether it be in Western Australia or any other state, or indeed the commonwealth, has ever in Australian history shown such a significant, dramatic and expensive commitment to people with a disability and their families as the Liberal–National government in this state. That is the truth of the matter. We all know that the disability sector in this state approached the former Labor government and was rejected by it. We all know that; the sector was rejected by them. The hypocrisy with the opposition coming in here now running errands for Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten, which is exactly what it is doing — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I do not know the child or the family concerned. I would be happy to meet with them — Mr E.S. Ripper : Good. We will arrange that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We will arrange it. I remind members of this house that the main feature of the last state budget was a historic commitment by the Liberal–National government to provide over $600 million in additional funding to not-for-profit community groups. That funding will go to over 300 000 people with a disability and to over 300 community-based organisations. An immediate 15 per cent increase in funding has already been received by those community-based organisations, and an average further 10 per cent will be allocated within two years. No other government, whether it be in Western Australia or any other state, or indeed the commonwealth, has ever in Australian history shown such a significant, dramatic and expensive commitment to people with a disability and their families as the Liberal–National government in this state. That is the truth of the matter. We all know that the disability sector in this state approached the former Labor government and was rejected by it. We all know that; the sector was rejected by them. The hypocrisy with the opposition coming in here now running errands for Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten, which is exactly what it is doing — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
(1)–(3) I do not know the child or the family concerned. I would be happy to meet with them — Mr E.S. Ripper : Good. We will arrange that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We will arrange it. I remind members of this house that the main feature of the last state budget was a historic commitment by the Liberal–National government to provide over $600 million in additional funding to not-for-profit community groups. That funding will go to over 300 000 people with a disability and to over 300 community-based organisations. An immediate 15 per cent increase in funding has already been received by those community-based organisations, and an average further 10 per cent will be allocated within two years. No other government, whether it be in Western Australia or any other state, or indeed the commonwealth, has ever in Australian history shown such a significant, dramatic and expensive commitment to people with a disability and their families as the Liberal–National government in this state. That is the truth of the matter. We all know that the disability sector in this state approached the former Labor government and was rejected by it. We all know that; the sector was rejected by them. The hypocrisy with the opposition coming in here now running errands for Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten, which is exactly what it is doing — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Good. We will arrange that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We will arrange it. I remind members of this house that the main feature of the last state budget was a historic commitment by the Liberal–National government to provide over $600 million in additional funding to not-for-profit community groups. That funding will go to over 300 000 people with a disability and to over 300 community-based organisations. An immediate 15 per cent increase in funding has already been received by those community-based organisations, and an average further 10 per cent will be allocated within two years. No other government, whether it be in Western Australia or any other state, or indeed the commonwealth, has ever in Australian history shown such a significant, dramatic and expensive commitment to people with a disability and their families as the Liberal–National government in this state. That is the truth of the matter. We all know that the disability sector in this state approached the former Labor government and was rejected by it. We all know that; the sector was rejected by them. The hypocrisy with the opposition coming in here now running errands for Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten, which is exactly what it is doing — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : We will arrange it. I remind members of this house that the main feature of the last state budget was a historic commitment by the Liberal–National government to provide over $600 million in additional funding to not-for-profit community groups. That funding will go to over 300 000 people with a disability and to over 300 community-based organisations. An immediate 15 per cent increase in funding has already been received by those community-based organisations, and an average further 10 per cent will be allocated within two years. No other government, whether it be in Western Australia or any other state, or indeed the commonwealth, has ever in Australian history shown such a significant, dramatic and expensive commitment to people with a disability and their families as the Liberal–National government in this state. That is the truth of the matter. We all know that the disability sector in this state approached the former Labor government and was rejected by it. We all know that; the sector was rejected by them. The hypocrisy with the opposition coming in here now running errands for Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten, which is exactly what it is doing — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
I remind members of this house that the main feature of the last state budget was a historic commitment by the Liberal–National government to provide over $600 million in additional funding to not-for-profit community groups. That funding will go to over 300 000 people with a disability and to over 300 community-based organisations. An immediate 15 per cent increase in funding has already been received by those community-based organisations, and an average further 10 per cent will be allocated within two years. No other government, whether it be in Western Australia or any other state, or indeed the commonwealth, has ever in Australian history shown such a significant, dramatic and expensive commitment to people with a disability and their families as the Liberal–National government in this state. That is the truth of the matter. We all know that the disability sector in this state approached the former Labor government and was rejected by it. We all know that; the sector was rejected by them. The hypocrisy with the opposition coming in here now running errands for Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten, which is exactly what it is doing — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
The hypocrisy with the opposition coming in here now running errands for Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten, which is exactly what it is doing — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
[See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
(1) In the past 24 hours, why has the Premier put partisan politics above any sympathy whatsoever to people such as Neva whose lives are dominated by the care needs of their children with disabilities? (2) The Premier said yesterday that the system in place in this state to support people with disabilities is the best system operating in any Australian state. Does the Premier concede that many people in desperate, heart-breaking need of family services are nevertheless missing out on state help? (3) Will the Premier apologise to Neva and those with disabilities and their families—who stand ready to help develop policy with this government—for the Premier’s insulting comments about their decades-long campaign and the recommendations of the Productivity Commission? The SPEAKER : Before the Premier answers that question, I indicate to all members, including the Leader of the Opposition, that within that question is the seeking of opinion which is not necessarily what should be a component of a question in this place. I am sure that the Premier will answer the question, but I just provide that particular information to all members in this place. Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I do not know the child or the family concerned. I would be happy to meet with them — Mr E.S. Ripper : Good. We will arrange that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We will arrange it. I remind members of this house that the main feature of the last state budget was a historic commitment by the Liberal–National government to provide over $600 million in additional funding to not-for-profit community groups. That funding will go to over 300 000 people with a disability and to over 300 community-based organisations. An immediate 15 per cent increase in funding has already been received by those community-based organisations, and an average further 10 per cent will be allocated within two years. No other government, whether it be in Western Australia or any other state, or indeed the commonwealth, has ever in Australian history shown such a significant, dramatic and expensive commitment to people with a disability and their families as the Liberal–National government in this state. That is the truth of the matter. We all know that the disability sector in this state approached the former Labor government and was rejected by it. We all know that; the sector was rejected by them. The hypocrisy with the opposition coming in here now running errands for Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten, which is exactly what it is doing — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
(2) The Premier said yesterday that the system in place in this state to support people with disabilities is the best system operating in any Australian state. Does the Premier concede that many people in desperate, heart-breaking need of family services are nevertheless missing out on state help? (3) Will the Premier apologise to Neva and those with disabilities and their families—who stand ready to help develop policy with this government—for the Premier’s insulting comments about their decades-long campaign and the recommendations of the Productivity Commission? The SPEAKER : Before the Premier answers that question, I indicate to all members, including the Leader of the Opposition, that within that question is the seeking of opinion which is not necessarily what should be a component of a question in this place. I am sure that the Premier will answer the question, but I just provide that particular information to all members in this place. Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I do not know the child or the family concerned. I would be happy to meet with them — Mr E.S. Ripper : Good. We will arrange that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We will arrange it. I remind members of this house that the main feature of the last state budget was a historic commitment by the Liberal–National government to provide over $600 million in additional funding to not-for-profit community groups. That funding will go to over 300 000 people with a disability and to over 300 community-based organisations. An immediate 15 per cent increase in funding has already been received by those community-based organisations, and an average further 10 per cent will be allocated within two years. No other government, whether it be in Western Australia or any other state, or indeed the commonwealth, has ever in Australian history shown such a significant, dramatic and expensive commitment to people with a disability and their families as the Liberal–National government in this state. That is the truth of the matter. We all know that the disability sector in this state approached the former Labor government and was rejected by it. We all know that; the sector was rejected by them. The hypocrisy with the opposition coming in here now running errands for Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten, which is exactly what it is doing — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
(3) Will the Premier apologise to Neva and those with disabilities and their families—who stand ready to help develop policy with this government—for the Premier’s insulting comments about their decades-long campaign and the recommendations of the Productivity Commission? The SPEAKER : Before the Premier answers that question, I indicate to all members, including the Leader of the Opposition, that within that question is the seeking of opinion which is not necessarily what should be a component of a question in this place. I am sure that the Premier will answer the question, but I just provide that particular information to all members in this place. Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I do not know the child or the family concerned. I would be happy to meet with them — Mr E.S. Ripper : Good. We will arrange that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We will arrange it. I remind members of this house that the main feature of the last state budget was a historic commitment by the Liberal–National government to provide over $600 million in additional funding to not-for-profit community groups. That funding will go to over 300 000 people with a disability and to over 300 community-based organisations. An immediate 15 per cent increase in funding has already been received by those community-based organisations, and an average further 10 per cent will be allocated within two years. No other government, whether it be in Western Australia or any other state, or indeed the commonwealth, has ever in Australian history shown such a significant, dramatic and expensive commitment to people with a disability and their families as the Liberal–National government in this state. That is the truth of the matter. We all know that the disability sector in this state approached the former Labor government and was rejected by it. We all know that; the sector was rejected by them. The hypocrisy with the opposition coming in here now running errands for Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten, which is exactly what it is doing — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
The SPEAKER : Before the Premier answers that question, I indicate to all members, including the Leader of the Opposition, that within that question is the seeking of opinion which is not necessarily what should be a component of a question in this place. I am sure that the Premier will answer the question, but I just provide that particular information to all members in this place. Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I do not know the child or the family concerned. I would be happy to meet with them — Mr E.S. Ripper : Good. We will arrange that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We will arrange it. I remind members of this house that the main feature of the last state budget was a historic commitment by the Liberal–National government to provide over $600 million in additional funding to not-for-profit community groups. That funding will go to over 300 000 people with a disability and to over 300 community-based organisations. An immediate 15 per cent increase in funding has already been received by those community-based organisations, and an average further 10 per cent will be allocated within two years. No other government, whether it be in Western Australia or any other state, or indeed the commonwealth, has ever in Australian history shown such a significant, dramatic and expensive commitment to people with a disability and their families as the Liberal–National government in this state. That is the truth of the matter. We all know that the disability sector in this state approached the former Labor government and was rejected by it. We all know that; the sector was rejected by them. The hypocrisy with the opposition coming in here now running errands for Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten, which is exactly what it is doing — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I do not know the child or the family concerned. I would be happy to meet with them — Mr E.S. Ripper : Good. We will arrange that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We will arrange it. I remind members of this house that the main feature of the last state budget was a historic commitment by the Liberal–National government to provide over $600 million in additional funding to not-for-profit community groups. That funding will go to over 300 000 people with a disability and to over 300 community-based organisations. An immediate 15 per cent increase in funding has already been received by those community-based organisations, and an average further 10 per cent will be allocated within two years. No other government, whether it be in Western Australia or any other state, or indeed the commonwealth, has ever in Australian history shown such a significant, dramatic and expensive commitment to people with a disability and their families as the Liberal–National government in this state. That is the truth of the matter. We all know that the disability sector in this state approached the former Labor government and was rejected by it. We all know that; the sector was rejected by them. The hypocrisy with the opposition coming in here now running errands for Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten, which is exactly what it is doing — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
(1)–(3) I do not know the child or the family concerned. I would be happy to meet with them — Mr E.S. Ripper : Good. We will arrange that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We will arrange it. I remind members of this house that the main feature of the last state budget was a historic commitment by the Liberal–National government to provide over $600 million in additional funding to not-for-profit community groups. That funding will go to over 300 000 people with a disability and to over 300 community-based organisations. An immediate 15 per cent increase in funding has already been received by those community-based organisations, and an average further 10 per cent will be allocated within two years. No other government, whether it be in Western Australia or any other state, or indeed the commonwealth, has ever in Australian history shown such a significant, dramatic and expensive commitment to people with a disability and their families as the Liberal–National government in this state. That is the truth of the matter. We all know that the disability sector in this state approached the former Labor government and was rejected by it. We all know that; the sector was rejected by them. The hypocrisy with the opposition coming in here now running errands for Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten, which is exactly what it is doing — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Good. We will arrange that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We will arrange it. I remind members of this house that the main feature of the last state budget was a historic commitment by the Liberal–National government to provide over $600 million in additional funding to not-for-profit community groups. That funding will go to over 300 000 people with a disability and to over 300 community-based organisations. An immediate 15 per cent increase in funding has already been received by those community-based organisations, and an average further 10 per cent will be allocated within two years. No other government, whether it be in Western Australia or any other state, or indeed the commonwealth, has ever in Australian history shown such a significant, dramatic and expensive commitment to people with a disability and their families as the Liberal–National government in this state. That is the truth of the matter. We all know that the disability sector in this state approached the former Labor government and was rejected by it. We all know that; the sector was rejected by them. The hypocrisy with the opposition coming in here now running errands for Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten, which is exactly what it is doing — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : We will arrange it. I remind members of this house that the main feature of the last state budget was a historic commitment by the Liberal–National government to provide over $600 million in additional funding to not-for-profit community groups. That funding will go to over 300 000 people with a disability and to over 300 community-based organisations. An immediate 15 per cent increase in funding has already been received by those community-based organisations, and an average further 10 per cent will be allocated within two years. No other government, whether it be in Western Australia or any other state, or indeed the commonwealth, has ever in Australian history shown such a significant, dramatic and expensive commitment to people with a disability and their families as the Liberal–National government in this state. That is the truth of the matter. We all know that the disability sector in this state approached the former Labor government and was rejected by it. We all know that; the sector was rejected by them. The hypocrisy with the opposition coming in here now running errands for Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten, which is exactly what it is doing — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
I remind members of this house that the main feature of the last state budget was a historic commitment by the Liberal–National government to provide over $600 million in additional funding to not-for-profit community groups. That funding will go to over 300 000 people with a disability and to over 300 community-based organisations. An immediate 15 per cent increase in funding has already been received by those community-based organisations, and an average further 10 per cent will be allocated within two years. No other government, whether it be in Western Australia or any other state, or indeed the commonwealth, has ever in Australian history shown such a significant, dramatic and expensive commitment to people with a disability and their families as the Liberal–National government in this state. That is the truth of the matter. We all know that the disability sector in this state approached the former Labor government and was rejected by it. We all know that; the sector was rejected by them. The hypocrisy with the opposition coming in here now running errands for Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten, which is exactly what it is doing — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
The hypocrisy with the opposition coming in here now running errands for Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten, which is exactly what it is doing — Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr E.S. Ripper interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : That is exactly what the opposition is doing. It is taking its instructions from Canberra. From all the information I have, and from what I hear from the disability sector and from families, the level of services provided in this state by the disability services sector is the best of any state in Australia. Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Seven out of 10 still miss out—grasp that point! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s question. Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr E.S. Ripper : The services might be good but they are not extensive enough. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time today. If there is something in the answer the Premier is providing that you dispute, I will give you the opportunity to ask a supplementary question, but I am formally calling you to order for the first time today. Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : One of the distinguishing features in Western Australia is that it is not a government-dominated system. Remember that the state government, not the commonwealth, provides the services. The commonwealth is not the major player by a long shot in this area; it is state government programs and state government taxpayers who provide the services. What is unique through our state’s system, which has evolved over a number of years through the Disability Services Commission, is that about 70 per cent of state government funding is spent through not-for-profit organisations, including the Salvation Army, the Senses Foundation, the Cerebral Palsy Association, Red Cross, and on and on it goes. If we were to simply throw that out, what would take its place? The Productivity Commission says that we will have a national insurance scheme. Is it proposing insurance? I do not think so. Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr E.S. Ripper : A lot of non-government organisations want this NDIS! Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering your question. If you want me to answer it, stay quiet and I will continue to answer it. Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr E.S. Ripper : I might make an odd comment! Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : You can ask another question. Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr E.S. Ripper : I will; you can be assured of that. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Meanwhile, sit back and behave yourself, because this government takes it seriously. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
The SPEAKER : I cannot say I was proud of what happened in this place yesterday—not at all. I hope none of you were proud about what happened in this place yesterday, either. If members wish to continue in this fashion, I will quite happily close question time down today, and take that on my head. The comment is directed to everybody in this place, whether in government or opposition. Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : It does not matter what we do or where funds are raised from if the service providers are not there. If we have a system in which people may, in a sense, be given a lifetime of income support—presumably they will be able to shop around—it will be of no value or assistance at all if the service providers are not there. Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr Speaker, I will give the Leader of the Opposition an example. I visited a number of organisations prior to the state budget. I visited a mother and a young girl who has an acute case of cerebral palsy and multiple disabilities. I outlined what the government proposed in its budget, along with the Cerebral Palsy Association. That mother said to me, “That will give me and my family our life back because our daughter will now be able to go to the Cerebral Palsy Association to have the multiplicity of care and services she requires, and a consistency of carer. We will now have a life as a family knowing our daughter has high-quality care, and consistent care, with the same people.” For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
For the Leader of the Opposition to come in here and imply that I and this government do not care about individuals and families with disabilities is little short of disgraceful. Just simply look at what we did in the state budget. Look at the effort that the ministers with direct responsibility have put into this area, and we delivered when the former government rejected the sector. Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Today we are having this orchestrated sense of outrage by Labor across the country. Bill Shorten was on the radio—first, I will go to Jenny Macklin. Do members know what Jenny Macklin had to say? Jenny Macklin said that the disability system is broken, and it is broken in Western Australia. Does the Labor Party believe the disability sector in Western Australia is broken? Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr E.S. Ripper : It falls far short of the need. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Do you think it is no good? So Labor thinks the sector is broken! You should go out and tell the not-for-profit sector that the system is broken and see what sort of response you get. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr W.J. Johnston : He asked me; I answered him. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I was not going to mention you at all, but I will now. I formally call you to order for the first time today; the member for Warnbro as well. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Jenny Macklin thinks that the system in Western Australia is broken and that it is nowhere near good enough. Therefore, she has just condemned the Western Australian community sector for the work it does. She was in the media for all of this morning banging on about it. Then Bill Shorten adopted a particularly nasty and spiteful approach this morning. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : He did; it was absolutely nasty and spiteful. He makes comments such as — … if Premier Barnett thinks that it’s 100 per cent fixed in Western Australia … When did I ever say that? Bill Shorten, in the best tradition of the Labor Party, puts words in people’s mouths and criticises them; that is what he does. He is a particularly nasty and spiteful person. I will table the transcript of his comments; read what a nasty and spiteful person he is. He has never spoken to me about it; he has never picked up the phone. What we see today — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
The SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I formally call you to order for the second time today. [See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
[See paper 3749.] Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I will conclude my comments. What we see today is yet again another orchestrated Labor program of trying to criticise services in Western Australia, criticise Liberal–National governments—what the hell. We see the puppets on a string in Western Australia just doing what Canberra tells them to. Why do Labor members not go out into their constituencies and talk to some of the not-for-profit organisations instead of simply taking their instructions from Jenny Macklin and Bill Shorten? I conclude with this comment. As I said from the very outset, we will have an open mind; we will engage in this. But I will not allow a repeat of the way in which health issues were handled by which the federal government says, “We have had the Productivity Commission”—a bunch of economists—“do a report. And guess what? They have come up with a solution for a single national scheme. And guess what? Part of the deal is that you give up your taxes. We raise more taxes, we fund it, we take it over. And by the way, we have never actually delivered a service in a disability services commission ourselves, but we know how to do it because we’re the commonwealth; we’re terrific.” What an absolute joke! We will have a sensible dialogue with the federal government, but we will deal first and foremost with the disability sector. When there are good ideas, we will treat them on merit, but I will not be part of a Council of Australian Governments process with the federal government coming in, slamming a report on the table, then putting down the press release and saying, “Line up, Premiers, we have a press conference, we want you all to sign away this.” It is not going to happen anymore.
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