❓ Mr. McGowan questions Premier Barnett regarding alleged favouritism in the Country Local Government Fund distribution, claiming National Party electorates receive disproportionately more funding. Barnett denies political bias, stating allocations are based on merit and cabinet approval.
AnsweredQoN 551Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
COUNTRY LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUND — NATIONAL PARTY ELECTORATE DISTRIBUTION
I refer to the extraordinary favouritism under the country local government fund shown to National Party electorates over Labor and Liberal electorates. Mr C.J. Barnett : I have all the information here! Mr M. McGOWAN : That is a first. (1) What role did the Premier have in the approval of this spending? (2) Does the Premier support National Party electorates receiving more than three times the funding of Labor and Liberal seats under this program? (3) Does the Premier support the government funding scores of housing for senior council staff throughout the Wheatbelt, bars for drinking alcohol, and dog pounds while the Nullagine road on which people are dying remains unrepaired? Mr C.J. BARNETT
I refer to the extraordinary favouritism under the country local government fund shown to National Party electorates over Labor and Liberal electorates. Mr C.J. Barnett : I have all the information here! Mr M. McGOWAN : That is a first. (1) What role did the Premier have in the approval of this spending? (2) Does the Premier support National Party electorates receiving more than three times the funding of Labor and Liberal seats under this program? (3) Does the Premier support the government funding scores of housing for senior council staff throughout the Wheatbelt, bars for drinking alcohol, and dog pounds while the Nullagine road on which people are dying remains unrepaired? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. (1)–(3) I played the same role as every other cabinet minister: these proposals come to cabinet and are approved by cabinet. Should the allocations be made according to whether it is a Liberal, National or Labor electorate? No, they should not, and, no, they were not. Mr M. McGowan : It’s happening now. How do you explain three to one? The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Lucky coincidence is it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr C.J. Barnett : I have all the information here! Mr M. McGOWAN : That is a first. (1) What role did the Premier have in the approval of this spending? (2) Does the Premier support National Party electorates receiving more than three times the funding of Labor and Liberal seats under this program? (3) Does the Premier support the government funding scores of housing for senior council staff throughout the Wheatbelt, bars for drinking alcohol, and dog pounds while the Nullagine road on which people are dying remains unrepaired? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)–(3) I played the same role as every other cabinet minister: these proposals come to cabinet and are approved by cabinet. Should the allocations be made according to whether it is a Liberal, National or Labor electorate? No, they should not, and, no, they were not. Mr M. McGowan : It’s happening now. How do you explain three to one? The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Lucky coincidence is it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr M. McGOWAN : That is a first. (1) What role did the Premier have in the approval of this spending? (2) Does the Premier support National Party electorates receiving more than three times the funding of Labor and Liberal seats under this program? (3) Does the Premier support the government funding scores of housing for senior council staff throughout the Wheatbelt, bars for drinking alcohol, and dog pounds while the Nullagine road on which people are dying remains unrepaired? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)–(3) I played the same role as every other cabinet minister: these proposals come to cabinet and are approved by cabinet. Should the allocations be made according to whether it is a Liberal, National or Labor electorate? No, they should not, and, no, they were not. Mr M. McGowan : It’s happening now. How do you explain three to one? The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Lucky coincidence is it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
(1) What role did the Premier have in the approval of this spending? (2) Does the Premier support National Party electorates receiving more than three times the funding of Labor and Liberal seats under this program? (3) Does the Premier support the government funding scores of housing for senior council staff throughout the Wheatbelt, bars for drinking alcohol, and dog pounds while the Nullagine road on which people are dying remains unrepaired? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)–(3) I played the same role as every other cabinet minister: these proposals come to cabinet and are approved by cabinet. Should the allocations be made according to whether it is a Liberal, National or Labor electorate? No, they should not, and, no, they were not. Mr M. McGowan : It’s happening now. How do you explain three to one? The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Lucky coincidence is it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
(2) Does the Premier support National Party electorates receiving more than three times the funding of Labor and Liberal seats under this program? (3) Does the Premier support the government funding scores of housing for senior council staff throughout the Wheatbelt, bars for drinking alcohol, and dog pounds while the Nullagine road on which people are dying remains unrepaired? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)–(3) I played the same role as every other cabinet minister: these proposals come to cabinet and are approved by cabinet. Should the allocations be made according to whether it is a Liberal, National or Labor electorate? No, they should not, and, no, they were not. Mr M. McGowan : It’s happening now. How do you explain three to one? The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Lucky coincidence is it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
(3) Does the Premier support the government funding scores of housing for senior council staff throughout the Wheatbelt, bars for drinking alcohol, and dog pounds while the Nullagine road on which people are dying remains unrepaired? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)–(3) I played the same role as every other cabinet minister: these proposals come to cabinet and are approved by cabinet. Should the allocations be made according to whether it is a Liberal, National or Labor electorate? No, they should not, and, no, they were not. Mr M. McGowan : It’s happening now. How do you explain three to one? The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Lucky coincidence is it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)–(3) I played the same role as every other cabinet minister: these proposals come to cabinet and are approved by cabinet. Should the allocations be made according to whether it is a Liberal, National or Labor electorate? No, they should not, and, no, they were not. Mr M. McGowan : It’s happening now. How do you explain three to one? The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Lucky coincidence is it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
I thank the member for the question. (1)–(3) I played the same role as every other cabinet minister: these proposals come to cabinet and are approved by cabinet. Should the allocations be made according to whether it is a Liberal, National or Labor electorate? No, they should not, and, no, they were not. Mr M. McGowan : It’s happening now. How do you explain three to one? The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Lucky coincidence is it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
(1)–(3) I played the same role as every other cabinet minister: these proposals come to cabinet and are approved by cabinet. Should the allocations be made according to whether it is a Liberal, National or Labor electorate? No, they should not, and, no, they were not. Mr M. McGowan : It’s happening now. How do you explain three to one? The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Lucky coincidence is it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Lucky coincidence is it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Lucky coincidence is it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr C.J. Barnett : I have all the information here! Mr M. McGOWAN : That is a first. (1) What role did the Premier have in the approval of this spending? (2) Does the Premier support National Party electorates receiving more than three times the funding of Labor and Liberal seats under this program? (3) Does the Premier support the government funding scores of housing for senior council staff throughout the Wheatbelt, bars for drinking alcohol, and dog pounds while the Nullagine road on which people are dying remains unrepaired? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)–(3) I played the same role as every other cabinet minister: these proposals come to cabinet and are approved by cabinet. Should the allocations be made according to whether it is a Liberal, National or Labor electorate? No, they should not, and, no, they were not. Mr M. McGowan : It’s happening now. How do you explain three to one? The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Lucky coincidence is it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr M. McGOWAN : That is a first. (1) What role did the Premier have in the approval of this spending? (2) Does the Premier support National Party electorates receiving more than three times the funding of Labor and Liberal seats under this program? (3) Does the Premier support the government funding scores of housing for senior council staff throughout the Wheatbelt, bars for drinking alcohol, and dog pounds while the Nullagine road on which people are dying remains unrepaired? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)–(3) I played the same role as every other cabinet minister: these proposals come to cabinet and are approved by cabinet. Should the allocations be made according to whether it is a Liberal, National or Labor electorate? No, they should not, and, no, they were not. Mr M. McGowan : It’s happening now. How do you explain three to one? The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Lucky coincidence is it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
(1) What role did the Premier have in the approval of this spending? (2) Does the Premier support National Party electorates receiving more than three times the funding of Labor and Liberal seats under this program? (3) Does the Premier support the government funding scores of housing for senior council staff throughout the Wheatbelt, bars for drinking alcohol, and dog pounds while the Nullagine road on which people are dying remains unrepaired? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)–(3) I played the same role as every other cabinet minister: these proposals come to cabinet and are approved by cabinet. Should the allocations be made according to whether it is a Liberal, National or Labor electorate? No, they should not, and, no, they were not. Mr M. McGowan : It’s happening now. How do you explain three to one? The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Lucky coincidence is it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
(2) Does the Premier support National Party electorates receiving more than three times the funding of Labor and Liberal seats under this program? (3) Does the Premier support the government funding scores of housing for senior council staff throughout the Wheatbelt, bars for drinking alcohol, and dog pounds while the Nullagine road on which people are dying remains unrepaired? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)–(3) I played the same role as every other cabinet minister: these proposals come to cabinet and are approved by cabinet. Should the allocations be made according to whether it is a Liberal, National or Labor electorate? No, they should not, and, no, they were not. Mr M. McGowan : It’s happening now. How do you explain three to one? The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Lucky coincidence is it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
(3) Does the Premier support the government funding scores of housing for senior council staff throughout the Wheatbelt, bars for drinking alcohol, and dog pounds while the Nullagine road on which people are dying remains unrepaired? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)–(3) I played the same role as every other cabinet minister: these proposals come to cabinet and are approved by cabinet. Should the allocations be made according to whether it is a Liberal, National or Labor electorate? No, they should not, and, no, they were not. Mr M. McGowan : It’s happening now. How do you explain three to one? The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Lucky coincidence is it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)–(3) I played the same role as every other cabinet minister: these proposals come to cabinet and are approved by cabinet. Should the allocations be made according to whether it is a Liberal, National or Labor electorate? No, they should not, and, no, they were not. Mr M. McGowan : It’s happening now. How do you explain three to one? The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Lucky coincidence is it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
I thank the member for the question. (1)–(3) I played the same role as every other cabinet minister: these proposals come to cabinet and are approved by cabinet. Should the allocations be made according to whether it is a Liberal, National or Labor electorate? No, they should not, and, no, they were not. Mr M. McGowan : It’s happening now. How do you explain three to one? The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Lucky coincidence is it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
(1)–(3) I played the same role as every other cabinet minister: these proposals come to cabinet and are approved by cabinet. Should the allocations be made according to whether it is a Liberal, National or Labor electorate? No, they should not, and, no, they were not. Mr M. McGowan : It’s happening now. How do you explain three to one? The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Lucky coincidence is it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
The SPEAKER : Member for Rockingham! Mr E.S. Ripper : Lucky coincidence is it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr E.S. Ripper : Lucky coincidence is it? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the opposition is suggesting that funds were allocated according to the political party that held the seat — Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr E.S. Ripper : That’s the outcome. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The member is wrong. Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
The SPEAKER : The member for Rockingham has asked some questions. I believe they are serious questions to which he is entitled to a response. The Premier is endeavouring to do that, but there are members on both sides who are preventing that from happening. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The criteria for funding are quite clear. Funds are allocated according to the merit of the program. The member for Rockingham has compared some examples he has picked out to money spent on the Nullagine road. The Nullagine road is not the sort of program that will be funded out of this fund. That is a state transport project. Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr M. McGowan : It is still government money. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes; it is government money. Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr M. McGowan : You can spend government money how you want. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, this is not a debate; it is meant to be a question. The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
The SPEAKER : Members! Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The suggestion being made by members opposite is that this fund has been allocated according to the political party that holds the electorate. They will find that that is not the case. Indeed, in other areas of government, they might find more money goes into Labor electorates.
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