❓ Question regarding the viability of the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, a KPMG report on the centre, and the government's response. The Treasurer deflects, criticises the opposition, and states the government won't buy back the centre.
AnsweredQoN 879Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PERTH CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE - KPMG REPORT
I welcome the students from the Our Lady of Good Counsel school in my electorate. In August this year the government ignored the opposition’s warning about the viability of the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, and my recommendation to immediately invest more money in promoting the centre to the international market. Given that the Premier has now received a report from KPMG giving four options for action, one of which is to increase promotion for the centre - Several members interjected. Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS : We know the member is the real Minister for Tourism and is pulling the minister’s strings. (1) Will the Treasurer table a copy of this report; and, if not, why not? (2) Why have the Treasurer and the Minister for Tourism failed to act on the warnings given about the plight of the convention centre? Mr R.C. Kucera interjected. Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS : Why does the member for Yokine not get called to order? I continue - (3) What is the Treasurer doing with these recommendations, and when will he make a decision? Mr E.S. RIPPER
I welcome the students from the Our Lady of Good Counsel school in my electorate. In August this year the government ignored the opposition’s warning about the viability of the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, and my recommendation to immediately invest more money in promoting the centre to the international market. Given that the Premier has now received a report from KPMG giving four options for action, one of which is to increase promotion for the centre - Several members interjected. Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS : We know the member is the real Minister for Tourism and is pulling the minister’s strings. (1) Will the Treasurer table a copy of this report; and, if not, why not? (2) Why have the Treasurer and the Minister for Tourism failed to act on the warnings given about the plight of the convention centre? Mr R.C. Kucera interjected. Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS : Why does the member for Yokine not get called to order? I continue - (3) What is the Treasurer doing with these recommendations, and when will he make a decision? Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I will ask the member for Carine a question. Does the member for Carine support buying back the convention centre? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : I support the government putting more money into promoting the state. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Several members interjected. Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS : We know the member is the real Minister for Tourism and is pulling the minister’s strings. (1) Will the Treasurer table a copy of this report; and, if not, why not? (2) Why have the Treasurer and the Minister for Tourism failed to act on the warnings given about the plight of the convention centre? Mr R.C. Kucera interjected. Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS : Why does the member for Yokine not get called to order? I continue - (3) What is the Treasurer doing with these recommendations, and when will he make a decision? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I will ask the member for Carine a question. Does the member for Carine support buying back the convention centre? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : I support the government putting more money into promoting the state. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS : We know the member is the real Minister for Tourism and is pulling the minister’s strings. (1) Will the Treasurer table a copy of this report; and, if not, why not? (2) Why have the Treasurer and the Minister for Tourism failed to act on the warnings given about the plight of the convention centre? Mr R.C. Kucera interjected. Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS : Why does the member for Yokine not get called to order? I continue - (3) What is the Treasurer doing with these recommendations, and when will he make a decision? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I will ask the member for Carine a question. Does the member for Carine support buying back the convention centre? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : I support the government putting more money into promoting the state. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
(1) Will the Treasurer table a copy of this report; and, if not, why not? (2) Why have the Treasurer and the Minister for Tourism failed to act on the warnings given about the plight of the convention centre? Mr R.C. Kucera interjected. Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS : Why does the member for Yokine not get called to order? I continue - (3) What is the Treasurer doing with these recommendations, and when will he make a decision? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I will ask the member for Carine a question. Does the member for Carine support buying back the convention centre? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : I support the government putting more money into promoting the state. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
(2) Why have the Treasurer and the Minister for Tourism failed to act on the warnings given about the plight of the convention centre? Mr R.C. Kucera interjected. Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS : Why does the member for Yokine not get called to order? I continue - (3) What is the Treasurer doing with these recommendations, and when will he make a decision? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I will ask the member for Carine a question. Does the member for Carine support buying back the convention centre? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : I support the government putting more money into promoting the state. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Mr R.C. Kucera interjected. Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS : Why does the member for Yokine not get called to order? I continue - (3) What is the Treasurer doing with these recommendations, and when will he make a decision? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I will ask the member for Carine a question. Does the member for Carine support buying back the convention centre? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : I support the government putting more money into promoting the state. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS : Why does the member for Yokine not get called to order? I continue - (3) What is the Treasurer doing with these recommendations, and when will he make a decision? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I will ask the member for Carine a question. Does the member for Carine support buying back the convention centre? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : I support the government putting more money into promoting the state. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
(3) What is the Treasurer doing with these recommendations, and when will he make a decision? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I will ask the member for Carine a question. Does the member for Carine support buying back the convention centre? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : I support the government putting more money into promoting the state. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I will ask the member for Carine a question. Does the member for Carine support buying back the convention centre? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : I support the government putting more money into promoting the state. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
(1)-(3) I will ask the member for Carine a question. Does the member for Carine support buying back the convention centre? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : I support the government putting more money into promoting the state. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : I support the government putting more money into promoting the state. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Several members interjected. Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS : We know the member is the real Minister for Tourism and is pulling the minister’s strings. (1) Will the Treasurer table a copy of this report; and, if not, why not? (2) Why have the Treasurer and the Minister for Tourism failed to act on the warnings given about the plight of the convention centre? Mr R.C. Kucera interjected. Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS : Why does the member for Yokine not get called to order? I continue - (3) What is the Treasurer doing with these recommendations, and when will he make a decision? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I will ask the member for Carine a question. Does the member for Carine support buying back the convention centre? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : I support the government putting more money into promoting the state. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS : We know the member is the real Minister for Tourism and is pulling the minister’s strings. (1) Will the Treasurer table a copy of this report; and, if not, why not? (2) Why have the Treasurer and the Minister for Tourism failed to act on the warnings given about the plight of the convention centre? Mr R.C. Kucera interjected. Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS : Why does the member for Yokine not get called to order? I continue - (3) What is the Treasurer doing with these recommendations, and when will he make a decision? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I will ask the member for Carine a question. Does the member for Carine support buying back the convention centre? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : I support the government putting more money into promoting the state. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
(1) Will the Treasurer table a copy of this report; and, if not, why not? (2) Why have the Treasurer and the Minister for Tourism failed to act on the warnings given about the plight of the convention centre? Mr R.C. Kucera interjected. Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS : Why does the member for Yokine not get called to order? I continue - (3) What is the Treasurer doing with these recommendations, and when will he make a decision? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I will ask the member for Carine a question. Does the member for Carine support buying back the convention centre? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : I support the government putting more money into promoting the state. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
(2) Why have the Treasurer and the Minister for Tourism failed to act on the warnings given about the plight of the convention centre? Mr R.C. Kucera interjected. Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS : Why does the member for Yokine not get called to order? I continue - (3) What is the Treasurer doing with these recommendations, and when will he make a decision? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I will ask the member for Carine a question. Does the member for Carine support buying back the convention centre? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : I support the government putting more money into promoting the state. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Mr R.C. Kucera interjected. Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS : Why does the member for Yokine not get called to order? I continue - (3) What is the Treasurer doing with these recommendations, and when will he make a decision? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I will ask the member for Carine a question. Does the member for Carine support buying back the convention centre? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : I support the government putting more money into promoting the state. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Ms K. HODSON-THOMAS : Why does the member for Yokine not get called to order? I continue - (3) What is the Treasurer doing with these recommendations, and when will he make a decision? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I will ask the member for Carine a question. Does the member for Carine support buying back the convention centre? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : I support the government putting more money into promoting the state. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
(3) What is the Treasurer doing with these recommendations, and when will he make a decision? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I will ask the member for Carine a question. Does the member for Carine support buying back the convention centre? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : I support the government putting more money into promoting the state. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) I will ask the member for Carine a question. Does the member for Carine support buying back the convention centre? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : I support the government putting more money into promoting the state. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
(1)-(3) I will ask the member for Carine a question. Does the member for Carine support buying back the convention centre? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : I support the government putting more money into promoting the state. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : I support the government putting more money into promoting the state. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Does the member for Carine think buying back should be considered? Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Ms K. Hodson-Thomas : You cannot answer the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : What I can see is that the Leader of the Opposition and his deputy do not trust the member for Carine to deal with an interchange across the chamber. They have to interject on their own member. That says a lot about their confidence in the member for Carine. When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
When this government came to power, the convention centre arrangements were past the point of contractual no return. The convention centre process and the commitments had been entered into by the previous government. Therefore, to avoid sovereign risk, it was necessary that this government proceed with those arrangements. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Vasse for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Of course I have been concerned, as has my colleague, about the public discussion on the viability of the convention centre operation. Consequently, the government did take action. The government commissioned KPMG to conduct an inquiry into the financial aspects of the operation of the convention centre, and provide recommendations to the government. I am angry that the front page of The West Australian today has dealt with the detail of that report. I certainly did not authorise the release of any information to The West Australian . I am concerned that journalists, and others, are forced to conduct debate on this issue, when the report was received in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon - Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Mr C.J. Barnett : Did you give Norm a copy? The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call to order the member for Cottesloe for the third time. Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Mr J.H.D. Day : You blame the journalists, do you? Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : I do not blame the journalists. I am angry that detail - apparently from the report - was released to the media before the government had a chance to consider the recommendations of the report, in view of the fact that the report arrived in my office at five o’clock yesterday afternoon. Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Perhaps members would give me a chance to answer the questions that have been asked. I will then get to the questions that they want to ask as supplementaries. The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
The government will conscientiously examine the recommendations of the report. However, I will say this: the government will not be buying back the convention centre. As Treasurer, I prefer to reward success rather than compensate failure. I will not get involved in bailing out private sector people who try to transfer risk from private shareholders to taxpayers. The Premier and I said right at the beginning of the process that we are not interested in buying back the convention centre. However, the convention centre is an important piece of infrastructure for the tourism industry. We have boosted tourism marketing in the past couple of budgets. We will examine some of the recommendations that are apparently in the report to do with the marketing of Perth as a convention destination. I think it is a bit premature for people to be calling for the tabling of the report before the government has even had a chance to examine it. I also remind the member that private companies are involved in this exercise. They might not want commercial information that they have given in good faith to the government to be suddenly made public, potentially to their detriment. I will certainly examine the report with a view to making it public. However, I will be consulting with the people who have given the information before I give an absolute commitment so that I do not irresponsibly cause potential damage to the interests of parties that are not part of the government or, indeed, the opposition.
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