❓ Shadow Treasurer Ripper questions Premier Barnett about discrepancies between Western Power's asset investment program, planned tariff increases, and Economic Regulation Authority approvals. Barnett deflects, stating forward estimates are not binding budget decisions.
AnsweredQoN 273Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WESTERN POWER — ASSET INVESTMENT PROGRAM
I refer to the government’s budget financial plan outlined in budget paper No 3, which shows an asset investment program for Western Power of $632 million in 2011–12 and a 22.3 per cent increase in the household electricity tariff in the same year. (1) Is it the government’s policy that this $632 million has the same doubtful status as the 22.3 per cent increase in electricity prices? (2) Will the $632 million be reduced if the tariff increase in that year is less than the 22.3 per cent outlined in that plan? (3) Given that the Economic Regulation Authority has approved $2.86 billion in investment for Western Power from 2009–10 through to 2011–12, why did the government plan for only $2.21 billion over this time, which is a $650 million shortfall? Mr C.J. BARNETT
I refer to the government’s budget financial plan outlined in budget paper No 3, which shows an asset investment program for Western Power of $632 million in 2011–12 and a 22.3 per cent increase in the household electricity tariff in the same year. (1) Is it the government’s policy that this $632 million has the same doubtful status as the 22.3 per cent increase in electricity prices? (2) Will the $632 million be reduced if the tariff increase in that year is less than the 22.3 per cent outlined in that plan? (3) Given that the Economic Regulation Authority has approved $2.86 billion in investment for Western Power from 2009–10 through to 2011–12, why did the government plan for only $2.21 billion over this time, which is a $650 million shortfall? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. As I said yesterday, the forward estimates are the forward estimates; they are not the budget. The budget that I presented a week ago was for the 2010–11 year and not for the 2011–12 year. Another budget will be presented before then, no doubt by someone else on this side of the house. Those figures have been projected forward by Treasury on what it expects to be the capital works, and include some projections and estimates of revenue made on the basis of charging. However, the decision on the electricity tariff will be made by the government, as indeed it has been each year of this government. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about the investment plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s questions. Treasury has also projected forward capital works expenditure across all agencies, including all government trading enterprises, because that provides a guide for future capital expenditure. The fact that the Economic Regulation Authority has in its charge indicated that it would, in a sense, give its sanction for a certain level of capital works — Mr E.S. Ripper : A high level; $650 million. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Economic Regulation Authority has said what it would sanction as proper expenditure. I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the Economic Regulation Authority is not the government of Western Australia; it will not make the investment decision, and neither will the government trading enterprises. They will provide recommendations to us—the Economic Regulation Authority on the justification for that expenditure and on recommendations relating to tariffs or prices to help fund it, and the agencies will make their bid—but the Liberal–National government of Western Australia will make the decision. As I said, forward estimates are the best guess of Treasury into the future. They are not the policy decisions or the actual decisions of the government of the day.
(1) Is it the government’s policy that this $632 million has the same doubtful status as the 22.3 per cent increase in electricity prices? (2) Will the $632 million be reduced if the tariff increase in that year is less than the 22.3 per cent outlined in that plan? (3) Given that the Economic Regulation Authority has approved $2.86 billion in investment for Western Power from 2009–10 through to 2011–12, why did the government plan for only $2.21 billion over this time, which is a $650 million shortfall? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. As I said yesterday, the forward estimates are the forward estimates; they are not the budget. The budget that I presented a week ago was for the 2010–11 year and not for the 2011–12 year. Another budget will be presented before then, no doubt by someone else on this side of the house. Those figures have been projected forward by Treasury on what it expects to be the capital works, and include some projections and estimates of revenue made on the basis of charging. However, the decision on the electricity tariff will be made by the government, as indeed it has been each year of this government. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about the investment plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s questions. Treasury has also projected forward capital works expenditure across all agencies, including all government trading enterprises, because that provides a guide for future capital expenditure. The fact that the Economic Regulation Authority has in its charge indicated that it would, in a sense, give its sanction for a certain level of capital works — Mr E.S. Ripper : A high level; $650 million. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Economic Regulation Authority has said what it would sanction as proper expenditure. I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the Economic Regulation Authority is not the government of Western Australia; it will not make the investment decision, and neither will the government trading enterprises. They will provide recommendations to us—the Economic Regulation Authority on the justification for that expenditure and on recommendations relating to tariffs or prices to help fund it, and the agencies will make their bid—but the Liberal–National government of Western Australia will make the decision. As I said, forward estimates are the best guess of Treasury into the future. They are not the policy decisions or the actual decisions of the government of the day.
(2) Will the $632 million be reduced if the tariff increase in that year is less than the 22.3 per cent outlined in that plan? (3) Given that the Economic Regulation Authority has approved $2.86 billion in investment for Western Power from 2009–10 through to 2011–12, why did the government plan for only $2.21 billion over this time, which is a $650 million shortfall? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. As I said yesterday, the forward estimates are the forward estimates; they are not the budget. The budget that I presented a week ago was for the 2010–11 year and not for the 2011–12 year. Another budget will be presented before then, no doubt by someone else on this side of the house. Those figures have been projected forward by Treasury on what it expects to be the capital works, and include some projections and estimates of revenue made on the basis of charging. However, the decision on the electricity tariff will be made by the government, as indeed it has been each year of this government. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about the investment plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s questions. Treasury has also projected forward capital works expenditure across all agencies, including all government trading enterprises, because that provides a guide for future capital expenditure. The fact that the Economic Regulation Authority has in its charge indicated that it would, in a sense, give its sanction for a certain level of capital works — Mr E.S. Ripper : A high level; $650 million. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Economic Regulation Authority has said what it would sanction as proper expenditure. I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the Economic Regulation Authority is not the government of Western Australia; it will not make the investment decision, and neither will the government trading enterprises. They will provide recommendations to us—the Economic Regulation Authority on the justification for that expenditure and on recommendations relating to tariffs or prices to help fund it, and the agencies will make their bid—but the Liberal–National government of Western Australia will make the decision. As I said, forward estimates are the best guess of Treasury into the future. They are not the policy decisions or the actual decisions of the government of the day.
(3) Given that the Economic Regulation Authority has approved $2.86 billion in investment for Western Power from 2009–10 through to 2011–12, why did the government plan for only $2.21 billion over this time, which is a $650 million shortfall? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. As I said yesterday, the forward estimates are the forward estimates; they are not the budget. The budget that I presented a week ago was for the 2010–11 year and not for the 2011–12 year. Another budget will be presented before then, no doubt by someone else on this side of the house. Those figures have been projected forward by Treasury on what it expects to be the capital works, and include some projections and estimates of revenue made on the basis of charging. However, the decision on the electricity tariff will be made by the government, as indeed it has been each year of this government. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about the investment plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s questions. Treasury has also projected forward capital works expenditure across all agencies, including all government trading enterprises, because that provides a guide for future capital expenditure. The fact that the Economic Regulation Authority has in its charge indicated that it would, in a sense, give its sanction for a certain level of capital works — Mr E.S. Ripper : A high level; $650 million. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Economic Regulation Authority has said what it would sanction as proper expenditure. I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the Economic Regulation Authority is not the government of Western Australia; it will not make the investment decision, and neither will the government trading enterprises. They will provide recommendations to us—the Economic Regulation Authority on the justification for that expenditure and on recommendations relating to tariffs or prices to help fund it, and the agencies will make their bid—but the Liberal–National government of Western Australia will make the decision. As I said, forward estimates are the best guess of Treasury into the future. They are not the policy decisions or the actual decisions of the government of the day.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. As I said yesterday, the forward estimates are the forward estimates; they are not the budget. The budget that I presented a week ago was for the 2010–11 year and not for the 2011–12 year. Another budget will be presented before then, no doubt by someone else on this side of the house. Those figures have been projected forward by Treasury on what it expects to be the capital works, and include some projections and estimates of revenue made on the basis of charging. However, the decision on the electricity tariff will be made by the government, as indeed it has been each year of this government. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about the investment plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s questions. Treasury has also projected forward capital works expenditure across all agencies, including all government trading enterprises, because that provides a guide for future capital expenditure. The fact that the Economic Regulation Authority has in its charge indicated that it would, in a sense, give its sanction for a certain level of capital works — Mr E.S. Ripper : A high level; $650 million. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Economic Regulation Authority has said what it would sanction as proper expenditure. I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the Economic Regulation Authority is not the government of Western Australia; it will not make the investment decision, and neither will the government trading enterprises. They will provide recommendations to us—the Economic Regulation Authority on the justification for that expenditure and on recommendations relating to tariffs or prices to help fund it, and the agencies will make their bid—but the Liberal–National government of Western Australia will make the decision. As I said, forward estimates are the best guess of Treasury into the future. They are not the policy decisions or the actual decisions of the government of the day.
(1)–(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. As I said yesterday, the forward estimates are the forward estimates; they are not the budget. The budget that I presented a week ago was for the 2010–11 year and not for the 2011–12 year. Another budget will be presented before then, no doubt by someone else on this side of the house. Those figures have been projected forward by Treasury on what it expects to be the capital works, and include some projections and estimates of revenue made on the basis of charging. However, the decision on the electricity tariff will be made by the government, as indeed it has been each year of this government. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about the investment plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s questions. Treasury has also projected forward capital works expenditure across all agencies, including all government trading enterprises, because that provides a guide for future capital expenditure. The fact that the Economic Regulation Authority has in its charge indicated that it would, in a sense, give its sanction for a certain level of capital works — Mr E.S. Ripper : A high level; $650 million. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Economic Regulation Authority has said what it would sanction as proper expenditure. I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the Economic Regulation Authority is not the government of Western Australia; it will not make the investment decision, and neither will the government trading enterprises. They will provide recommendations to us—the Economic Regulation Authority on the justification for that expenditure and on recommendations relating to tariffs or prices to help fund it, and the agencies will make their bid—but the Liberal–National government of Western Australia will make the decision. As I said, forward estimates are the best guess of Treasury into the future. They are not the policy decisions or the actual decisions of the government of the day.
Mr E.S. Ripper : What about the investment plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s questions. Treasury has also projected forward capital works expenditure across all agencies, including all government trading enterprises, because that provides a guide for future capital expenditure. The fact that the Economic Regulation Authority has in its charge indicated that it would, in a sense, give its sanction for a certain level of capital works — Mr E.S. Ripper : A high level; $650 million. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Economic Regulation Authority has said what it would sanction as proper expenditure. I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the Economic Regulation Authority is not the government of Western Australia; it will not make the investment decision, and neither will the government trading enterprises. They will provide recommendations to us—the Economic Regulation Authority on the justification for that expenditure and on recommendations relating to tariffs or prices to help fund it, and the agencies will make their bid—but the Liberal–National government of Western Australia will make the decision. As I said, forward estimates are the best guess of Treasury into the future. They are not the policy decisions or the actual decisions of the government of the day.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s questions. Treasury has also projected forward capital works expenditure across all agencies, including all government trading enterprises, because that provides a guide for future capital expenditure. The fact that the Economic Regulation Authority has in its charge indicated that it would, in a sense, give its sanction for a certain level of capital works — Mr E.S. Ripper : A high level; $650 million. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Economic Regulation Authority has said what it would sanction as proper expenditure. I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the Economic Regulation Authority is not the government of Western Australia; it will not make the investment decision, and neither will the government trading enterprises. They will provide recommendations to us—the Economic Regulation Authority on the justification for that expenditure and on recommendations relating to tariffs or prices to help fund it, and the agencies will make their bid—but the Liberal–National government of Western Australia will make the decision. As I said, forward estimates are the best guess of Treasury into the future. They are not the policy decisions or the actual decisions of the government of the day.
Mr E.S. Ripper : A high level; $650 million. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Economic Regulation Authority has said what it would sanction as proper expenditure. I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the Economic Regulation Authority is not the government of Western Australia; it will not make the investment decision, and neither will the government trading enterprises. They will provide recommendations to us—the Economic Regulation Authority on the justification for that expenditure and on recommendations relating to tariffs or prices to help fund it, and the agencies will make their bid—but the Liberal–National government of Western Australia will make the decision. As I said, forward estimates are the best guess of Treasury into the future. They are not the policy decisions or the actual decisions of the government of the day.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Economic Regulation Authority has said what it would sanction as proper expenditure. I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the Economic Regulation Authority is not the government of Western Australia; it will not make the investment decision, and neither will the government trading enterprises. They will provide recommendations to us—the Economic Regulation Authority on the justification for that expenditure and on recommendations relating to tariffs or prices to help fund it, and the agencies will make their bid—but the Liberal–National government of Western Australia will make the decision. As I said, forward estimates are the best guess of Treasury into the future. They are not the policy decisions or the actual decisions of the government of the day.
(1) Is it the government’s policy that this $632 million has the same doubtful status as the 22.3 per cent increase in electricity prices? (2) Will the $632 million be reduced if the tariff increase in that year is less than the 22.3 per cent outlined in that plan? (3) Given that the Economic Regulation Authority has approved $2.86 billion in investment for Western Power from 2009–10 through to 2011–12, why did the government plan for only $2.21 billion over this time, which is a $650 million shortfall? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. As I said yesterday, the forward estimates are the forward estimates; they are not the budget. The budget that I presented a week ago was for the 2010–11 year and not for the 2011–12 year. Another budget will be presented before then, no doubt by someone else on this side of the house. Those figures have been projected forward by Treasury on what it expects to be the capital works, and include some projections and estimates of revenue made on the basis of charging. However, the decision on the electricity tariff will be made by the government, as indeed it has been each year of this government. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about the investment plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s questions. Treasury has also projected forward capital works expenditure across all agencies, including all government trading enterprises, because that provides a guide for future capital expenditure. The fact that the Economic Regulation Authority has in its charge indicated that it would, in a sense, give its sanction for a certain level of capital works — Mr E.S. Ripper : A high level; $650 million. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Economic Regulation Authority has said what it would sanction as proper expenditure. I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the Economic Regulation Authority is not the government of Western Australia; it will not make the investment decision, and neither will the government trading enterprises. They will provide recommendations to us—the Economic Regulation Authority on the justification for that expenditure and on recommendations relating to tariffs or prices to help fund it, and the agencies will make their bid—but the Liberal–National government of Western Australia will make the decision. As I said, forward estimates are the best guess of Treasury into the future. They are not the policy decisions or the actual decisions of the government of the day.
(2) Will the $632 million be reduced if the tariff increase in that year is less than the 22.3 per cent outlined in that plan? (3) Given that the Economic Regulation Authority has approved $2.86 billion in investment for Western Power from 2009–10 through to 2011–12, why did the government plan for only $2.21 billion over this time, which is a $650 million shortfall? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. As I said yesterday, the forward estimates are the forward estimates; they are not the budget. The budget that I presented a week ago was for the 2010–11 year and not for the 2011–12 year. Another budget will be presented before then, no doubt by someone else on this side of the house. Those figures have been projected forward by Treasury on what it expects to be the capital works, and include some projections and estimates of revenue made on the basis of charging. However, the decision on the electricity tariff will be made by the government, as indeed it has been each year of this government. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about the investment plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s questions. Treasury has also projected forward capital works expenditure across all agencies, including all government trading enterprises, because that provides a guide for future capital expenditure. The fact that the Economic Regulation Authority has in its charge indicated that it would, in a sense, give its sanction for a certain level of capital works — Mr E.S. Ripper : A high level; $650 million. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Economic Regulation Authority has said what it would sanction as proper expenditure. I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the Economic Regulation Authority is not the government of Western Australia; it will not make the investment decision, and neither will the government trading enterprises. They will provide recommendations to us—the Economic Regulation Authority on the justification for that expenditure and on recommendations relating to tariffs or prices to help fund it, and the agencies will make their bid—but the Liberal–National government of Western Australia will make the decision. As I said, forward estimates are the best guess of Treasury into the future. They are not the policy decisions or the actual decisions of the government of the day.
(3) Given that the Economic Regulation Authority has approved $2.86 billion in investment for Western Power from 2009–10 through to 2011–12, why did the government plan for only $2.21 billion over this time, which is a $650 million shortfall? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. As I said yesterday, the forward estimates are the forward estimates; they are not the budget. The budget that I presented a week ago was for the 2010–11 year and not for the 2011–12 year. Another budget will be presented before then, no doubt by someone else on this side of the house. Those figures have been projected forward by Treasury on what it expects to be the capital works, and include some projections and estimates of revenue made on the basis of charging. However, the decision on the electricity tariff will be made by the government, as indeed it has been each year of this government. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about the investment plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s questions. Treasury has also projected forward capital works expenditure across all agencies, including all government trading enterprises, because that provides a guide for future capital expenditure. The fact that the Economic Regulation Authority has in its charge indicated that it would, in a sense, give its sanction for a certain level of capital works — Mr E.S. Ripper : A high level; $650 million. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Economic Regulation Authority has said what it would sanction as proper expenditure. I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the Economic Regulation Authority is not the government of Western Australia; it will not make the investment decision, and neither will the government trading enterprises. They will provide recommendations to us—the Economic Regulation Authority on the justification for that expenditure and on recommendations relating to tariffs or prices to help fund it, and the agencies will make their bid—but the Liberal–National government of Western Australia will make the decision. As I said, forward estimates are the best guess of Treasury into the future. They are not the policy decisions or the actual decisions of the government of the day.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. As I said yesterday, the forward estimates are the forward estimates; they are not the budget. The budget that I presented a week ago was for the 2010–11 year and not for the 2011–12 year. Another budget will be presented before then, no doubt by someone else on this side of the house. Those figures have been projected forward by Treasury on what it expects to be the capital works, and include some projections and estimates of revenue made on the basis of charging. However, the decision on the electricity tariff will be made by the government, as indeed it has been each year of this government. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about the investment plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s questions. Treasury has also projected forward capital works expenditure across all agencies, including all government trading enterprises, because that provides a guide for future capital expenditure. The fact that the Economic Regulation Authority has in its charge indicated that it would, in a sense, give its sanction for a certain level of capital works — Mr E.S. Ripper : A high level; $650 million. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Economic Regulation Authority has said what it would sanction as proper expenditure. I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the Economic Regulation Authority is not the government of Western Australia; it will not make the investment decision, and neither will the government trading enterprises. They will provide recommendations to us—the Economic Regulation Authority on the justification for that expenditure and on recommendations relating to tariffs or prices to help fund it, and the agencies will make their bid—but the Liberal–National government of Western Australia will make the decision. As I said, forward estimates are the best guess of Treasury into the future. They are not the policy decisions or the actual decisions of the government of the day.
(1)–(3) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for the question. As I said yesterday, the forward estimates are the forward estimates; they are not the budget. The budget that I presented a week ago was for the 2010–11 year and not for the 2011–12 year. Another budget will be presented before then, no doubt by someone else on this side of the house. Those figures have been projected forward by Treasury on what it expects to be the capital works, and include some projections and estimates of revenue made on the basis of charging. However, the decision on the electricity tariff will be made by the government, as indeed it has been each year of this government. Mr E.S. Ripper : What about the investment plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s questions. Treasury has also projected forward capital works expenditure across all agencies, including all government trading enterprises, because that provides a guide for future capital expenditure. The fact that the Economic Regulation Authority has in its charge indicated that it would, in a sense, give its sanction for a certain level of capital works — Mr E.S. Ripper : A high level; $650 million. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Economic Regulation Authority has said what it would sanction as proper expenditure. I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the Economic Regulation Authority is not the government of Western Australia; it will not make the investment decision, and neither will the government trading enterprises. They will provide recommendations to us—the Economic Regulation Authority on the justification for that expenditure and on recommendations relating to tariffs or prices to help fund it, and the agencies will make their bid—but the Liberal–National government of Western Australia will make the decision. As I said, forward estimates are the best guess of Treasury into the future. They are not the policy decisions or the actual decisions of the government of the day.
Mr E.S. Ripper : What about the investment plan? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s questions. Treasury has also projected forward capital works expenditure across all agencies, including all government trading enterprises, because that provides a guide for future capital expenditure. The fact that the Economic Regulation Authority has in its charge indicated that it would, in a sense, give its sanction for a certain level of capital works — Mr E.S. Ripper : A high level; $650 million. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Economic Regulation Authority has said what it would sanction as proper expenditure. I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the Economic Regulation Authority is not the government of Western Australia; it will not make the investment decision, and neither will the government trading enterprises. They will provide recommendations to us—the Economic Regulation Authority on the justification for that expenditure and on recommendations relating to tariffs or prices to help fund it, and the agencies will make their bid—but the Liberal–National government of Western Australia will make the decision. As I said, forward estimates are the best guess of Treasury into the future. They are not the policy decisions or the actual decisions of the government of the day.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am answering the Leader of the Opposition’s questions. Treasury has also projected forward capital works expenditure across all agencies, including all government trading enterprises, because that provides a guide for future capital expenditure. The fact that the Economic Regulation Authority has in its charge indicated that it would, in a sense, give its sanction for a certain level of capital works — Mr E.S. Ripper : A high level; $650 million. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Economic Regulation Authority has said what it would sanction as proper expenditure. I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the Economic Regulation Authority is not the government of Western Australia; it will not make the investment decision, and neither will the government trading enterprises. They will provide recommendations to us—the Economic Regulation Authority on the justification for that expenditure and on recommendations relating to tariffs or prices to help fund it, and the agencies will make their bid—but the Liberal–National government of Western Australia will make the decision. As I said, forward estimates are the best guess of Treasury into the future. They are not the policy decisions or the actual decisions of the government of the day.
Mr E.S. Ripper : A high level; $650 million. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Economic Regulation Authority has said what it would sanction as proper expenditure. I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the Economic Regulation Authority is not the government of Western Australia; it will not make the investment decision, and neither will the government trading enterprises. They will provide recommendations to us—the Economic Regulation Authority on the justification for that expenditure and on recommendations relating to tariffs or prices to help fund it, and the agencies will make their bid—but the Liberal–National government of Western Australia will make the decision. As I said, forward estimates are the best guess of Treasury into the future. They are not the policy decisions or the actual decisions of the government of the day.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Economic Regulation Authority has said what it would sanction as proper expenditure. I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the Economic Regulation Authority is not the government of Western Australia; it will not make the investment decision, and neither will the government trading enterprises. They will provide recommendations to us—the Economic Regulation Authority on the justification for that expenditure and on recommendations relating to tariffs or prices to help fund it, and the agencies will make their bid—but the Liberal–National government of Western Australia will make the decision. As I said, forward estimates are the best guess of Treasury into the future. They are not the policy decisions or the actual decisions of the government of the day.
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