Mr. Ripper questions the Premier regarding a payment cap for the Redress WA program, suggesting it shames Western Australia. Premier Barnett defends the decision as honest and upfront, maintaining the cap despite criticism.

AnsweredQoN 650Legislative Assembly
Asked
8 September 2009
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

REDRESS WA — PAYMENT CAP
I have a supplementary question. When some of the most disadvantaged people ever in the state’s history feel abused again and betrayed, does not the Premier’s decision bring shame on Western Australia? Mr C.J. BARNETT

AnswerView source ↗

No, it is a refreshing taste of honesty. We have been up-front. We have not misled people or unreasonably raised expectations, and we have retained the funding. We have been up-front and honest. I understand that this decision is not popular. I heard my name mentioned many times through the windows during the rally, and no-one was being complimentary. I accept that. I went out and spoke at the first rally. The minister is meeting with people on a regular basis and I am prepared to meet again with those people. However, our position will remain the same. We will fund the program fully and we will add to that funding. We will provide additional funding for counselling and make payments to families of people who have died in the interim. We will treat every person with respect on an individual basis but the cap will be $45 000.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: No, it is a refreshing taste of honesty. We have been up-front. We have not misled people or unreasonably raised expectations, and we have retained the funding. We have been up-front and honest. I understand that this decision is not popular. I heard my name mentioned many times through the windows during the rally, and no-one was being complimentary. I accept that. I went out and spoke at the first rally. The minister is meeting with people on a regular basis and I am prepared to meet again with those people. However, our position will remain the same. We will fund the program fully and we will add to that funding. We will provide additional funding for counselling and make payments to families of people who have died in the interim. We will treat every person with respect on an individual basis but the cap will be $45 000.
No, it is a refreshing taste of honesty. We have been up-front. We have not misled people or unreasonably raised expectations, and we have retained the funding. We have been up-front and honest. I understand that this decision is not popular. I heard my name mentioned many times through the windows during the rally, and no-one was being complimentary. I accept that. I went out and spoke at the first rally. The minister is meeting with people on a regular basis and I am prepared to meet again with those people. However, our position will remain the same. We will fund the program fully and we will add to that funding. We will provide additional funding for counselling and make payments to families of people who have died in the interim. We will treat every person with respect on an individual basis but the cap will be $45 000.

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