❓ A Labor MP asks about the government's investment in Metronet and job creation. The Minister responds by highlighting Metronet projects and accusing the Liberal Party of opposing them.
AnsweredQoN 961Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
METRONET — JOBS
961. Mr C.J. TALLENTIRE to the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's efforts to keep the WA economy strong through its record
investment in transport infrastructure.
(1) Can the
minister update the house on this government's investment in Metronet
and how the delivery of the single biggest rail expansion in Perth's
history is supporting local jobs?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house whether she is aware of anyone who does not support
this investment in Metronet and other job-creating transport projects?
961. Mr C.J. TALLENTIRE to the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's efforts to keep the WA economy strong through its record
investment in transport infrastructure.
(1) Can the
minister update the house on this government's investment in Metronet
and how the delivery of the single biggest rail expansion in Perth's
history is supporting local jobs?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house whether she is aware of anyone who does not support
this investment in Metronet and other job-creating transport projects?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
thank the member for that question and for his commitment to Metronet, local
jobs, local companies and local work. Of course, we are delivering a record
amount of rail infrastructure in Western Australia that has never been seen
before. We have eight projects underway and there are more to come. Let us go
through those projects and see who opposes those projects in Western Australia.
First of all, let us start in the
member for Thornlie's area. The Thornlie–Cockburn Link is a much-needed
project that the other side could never deliver. In 2008, the former member for
Southern River —
� told The West Australian he had unsuccessfully lobbied the Government's
leadership to commit to the line in the lead-up to the 2013 State
election. ''I think they figured that the polling showed I was doing
extremely well,'' he said.
In 2015, he said —
''I'm
hoping that within five years we'll either get a commitment to it or
even construction starting �
I say to the former member that
construction has started under this government.
The Yanchep rail extension is
underway. The member for Butler and I have been out there a few times.
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Vasse, I call you to order for the first time.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : The Yanchep
rail extension was opposed by the Liberal Party. In 2018, the Leader of the
Opposition said —
I am curious to hear the minister's
explanation of why Yanchep was progressed � There is plenty of land up there,
but not many houses, and not many people living there at the moment �
Again, the Liberal Party opposed the
Yanchep rail line.
I turn to Bayswater train station.
What did the Liberal Party commit to the Bayswater train station? It committed
a new ramp and a toilet!
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : As part of
its $1.8 billion Forrestfield commitment, the opposition committed $4 million
to a new ramp and a toilet! We have committed over $200 million to rebuild a brand-new
Bayswater station, a whole new precinct.
Shall
we go through the Morley–Ellenbrook line again? The Liberal Party
failed to deliver its election commitments.
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Vasse!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : The Liberal
Party failed to deliver twice. It broke a promise to the people of Ellenbrook
and that entire corridor. Even after the last election, the member for Riverton
said —
''It is out there prioritising
a rail line to Ellenbrook, which isn't needed for 10 years �
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Vasse,
I call you to order for the second time. You'll miss out on the
crayfish, the way you're going!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : The member
for Bateman said —
''If you look at the
population, it just isn't there to sustain a capital investment at this
point in time �
The Liberal Party was opposed to
the Ellenbrook rail line.
The Denny Avenue level crossing is
underway—another massive project for Kelmscott and Armadale. The car
park at Mandurah station is underway.
The Byford rail extension was
opposed by the Liberal Party. It does not want us to deliver the Byford rail
extension. That is an incredible position taken by the Liberal Party. It is
running a campaign against the extension of the Byford rail line. Today, it
presented a petition calling for us to get on with it. It went out there to do
a media event and then opposes the rail line. I do not understand that. Can
members opposite not match what they are doing on a Sunday with what they are
doing on a Thursday?
Of course, then we have the
Forrestfield–Airport Link, which is being delivered by this government.
It started under this government. Over four kilometres of track has been laid.
Yes, member, there are people in WA
who do not support Metronet. They are members of the Liberal Party! They are
fighting, opposing and criticising while we have thousands of Western Australian
workers out there delivering a record program of investment.
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Vasse! Wow, you are on three! Just let me get my book so I can get ready to
send you home.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : I have seen
a few meetings of Liberal Party members today, not involving the Leader of the
Opposition. I think they have seen the polling results, members! I have seen a few
groupings out there, all very, very hushed.
Several members interjected.
Point of Order
Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP : Mr Speaker
—
Mr D.A. Templeman : Where's
your manila folder?
Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP : The point
of order is specifically in relation to the relevance of the question that was
asked of the minister.
The SPEAKER : No, I think it
is okay—just. The member for Vasse is enjoying it.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : They are
very nervous on the other side. As the Minister for Culture and the Arts said,
I think they have all been given the manila
folder with the polling results. I have seen them all having meetings. The
minister asked which group the member for Dawesville is in. From what I can
see, I do not think it is the Leader of the Opposition's group.
Point of Order
Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP : My point
of order, again, relates to the relevance of the question that was asked.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Hang on. I will
hear the point of order in silence.
Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP : The
minister was specifically asked a question about Metronet projects. I do not believe
her statements are very relevant.
The SPEAKER : I think you are
drifting away, minister. Just drift back to the question.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : I will pivot
back!
Mr D.J. Kelly : Metronet was
mentioned in the polling!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : I think the
minister is right.
The SPEAKER : Minister for
Water, I know you like to have a say, but I want to hear it. I call you to
order for the first time.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : I will pivot
again.
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER : I call you to
order for the second time.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : The minister
was right; it was asked about in the Liberal Party polling.
Only one party can be trusted to
deliver Metronet, jobs and rail lines for our future, and that is Labor.
thank the member for that question and for his commitment to Metronet, local
jobs, local companies and local work. Of course, we are delivering a record
amount of rail infrastructure in Western Australia that has never been seen
before. We have eight projects underway and there are more to come. Let us go
through those projects and see who opposes those projects in Western Australia.
First of all, let us start in the
member for Thornlie's area. The Thornlie–Cockburn Link is a much-needed
project that the other side could never deliver. In 2008, the former member for
Southern River —
� told The West Australian he had unsuccessfully lobbied the Government's
leadership to commit to the line in the lead-up to the 2013 State
election. ''I think they figured that the polling showed I was doing
extremely well,'' he said.
In 2015, he said —
''I'm
hoping that within five years we'll either get a commitment to it or
even construction starting �
I say to the former member that
construction has started under this government.
The Yanchep rail extension is
underway. The member for Butler and I have been out there a few times.
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Vasse, I call you to order for the first time.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : The Yanchep
rail extension was opposed by the Liberal Party. In 2018, the Leader of the
Opposition said —
I am curious to hear the minister's
explanation of why Yanchep was progressed � There is plenty of land up there,
but not many houses, and not many people living there at the moment �
Again, the Liberal Party opposed the
Yanchep rail line.
I turn to Bayswater train station.
What did the Liberal Party commit to the Bayswater train station? It committed
a new ramp and a toilet!
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : As part of
its $1.8 billion Forrestfield commitment, the opposition committed $4 million
to a new ramp and a toilet! We have committed over $200 million to rebuild a brand-new
Bayswater station, a whole new precinct.
Shall
we go through the Morley–Ellenbrook line again? The Liberal Party
failed to deliver its election commitments.
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Vasse!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : The Liberal
Party failed to deliver twice. It broke a promise to the people of Ellenbrook
and that entire corridor. Even after the last election, the member for Riverton
said —
''It is out there prioritising
a rail line to Ellenbrook, which isn't needed for 10 years �
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Vasse,
I call you to order for the second time. You'll miss out on the
crayfish, the way you're going!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : The member
for Bateman said —
''If you look at the
population, it just isn't there to sustain a capital investment at this
point in time �
The Liberal Party was opposed to
the Ellenbrook rail line.
The Denny Avenue level crossing is
underway—another massive project for Kelmscott and Armadale. The car
park at Mandurah station is underway.
The Byford rail extension was
opposed by the Liberal Party. It does not want us to deliver the Byford rail
extension. That is an incredible position taken by the Liberal Party. It is
running a campaign against the extension of the Byford rail line. Today, it
presented a petition calling for us to get on with it. It went out there to do
a media event and then opposes the rail line. I do not understand that. Can
members opposite not match what they are doing on a Sunday with what they are
doing on a Thursday?
Of course, then we have the
Forrestfield–Airport Link, which is being delivered by this government.
It started under this government. Over four kilometres of track has been laid.
Yes, member, there are people in WA
who do not support Metronet. They are members of the Liberal Party! They are
fighting, opposing and criticising while we have thousands of Western Australian
workers out there delivering a record program of investment.
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Vasse! Wow, you are on three! Just let me get my book so I can get ready to
send you home.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : I have seen
a few meetings of Liberal Party members today, not involving the Leader of the
Opposition. I think they have seen the polling results, members! I have seen a few
groupings out there, all very, very hushed.
Several members interjected.
Point of Order
Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP : Mr Speaker
—
Mr D.A. Templeman : Where's
your manila folder?
Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP : The point
of order is specifically in relation to the relevance of the question that was
asked of the minister.
The SPEAKER : No, I think it
is okay—just. The member for Vasse is enjoying it.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : They are
very nervous on the other side. As the Minister for Culture and the Arts said,
I think they have all been given the manila
folder with the polling results. I have seen them all having meetings. The
minister asked which group the member for Dawesville is in. From what I can
see, I do not think it is the Leader of the Opposition's group.
Point of Order
Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP : My point
of order, again, relates to the relevance of the question that was asked.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Hang on. I will
hear the point of order in silence.
Mr Z.R.F. KIRKUP : The
minister was specifically asked a question about Metronet projects. I do not believe
her statements are very relevant.
The SPEAKER : I think you are
drifting away, minister. Just drift back to the question.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : I will pivot
back!
Mr D.J. Kelly : Metronet was
mentioned in the polling!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : I think the
minister is right.
The SPEAKER : Minister for
Water, I know you like to have a say, but I want to hear it. I call you to
order for the first time.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : I will pivot
again.
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER : I call you to
order for the second time.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : The minister
was right; it was asked about in the Liberal Party polling.
Only one party can be trusted to
deliver Metronet, jobs and rail lines for our future, and that is Labor.
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