❓ Opposition Leader McGowan questions Premier Barnett on pre-election promises regarding the fully funded and costed MAX light rail project. Premier Barnett affirms commitment but cites complexities and delays, promising updates in future financial statements.
AnsweredQoN 882Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
METRO AREA EXPRESS LIGHT RAIL — BUDGET
COMMITMENTS
882. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
I ask a supplementary question. I draw the Premier's
attention to the promise he made before the election of this fully funded,
fully costed commitment to build a light rail system from Mirrabooka to Sir
Charles Gairdner Hospital and Victoria Park. Was it fully funded and fully
costed as he promised before the election; and, if so, will it be built in the
time frame he promised?
COMMITMENTS
882. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
I ask a supplementary question. I draw the Premier's
attention to the promise he made before the election of this fully funded,
fully costed commitment to build a light rail system from Mirrabooka to Sir
Charles Gairdner Hospital and Victoria Park. Was it fully funded and fully
costed as he promised before the election; and, if so, will it be built in the
time frame he promised?
AnswerView source ↗
Yes, they are separate issues. This government is committed
to both of those projects, and we will build both of those projects.
Ms M.M. Quirk :
Either you're doing it or you're not doing it.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
just said —
The SPEAKER :
Member for Girrawheen, I call you to order for the first time. I do not want
constant commentary on everything that happens in the house.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
This government is committed to both of those projects and we will build both
of those projects.
Mr M. McGowan : By
2030 is not good enough. When?
The SPEAKER :
Leader of the Opposition!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
They are large and complex projects. Building a light rail system through the
northern suburbs will not be easy. There will be land resumptions.
Mr B.S. Wyatt :
Lucky you fully costed it.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Victoria Park, I want to hear the Premier's answer. I call
you to order for the first time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Introducing light rail around the city is a complex project. There is some
dispute in the City of Perth about what route it should take, and that is fair;
there are different points of view. We will have to work through that. It is a
new form of transport involving new technology and is a feature of most modern,
progressive cities. The rail line to the airport also has its complications. It
has to go over the river, so a bridge will need to be constructed.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Bassendean, I call you to order for the first time. Member for West
Swan, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
There needs to be a river crossing. The water table is also high through that
area. Members may also have noticed that there is an airport, so the rail will
need to —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
They are just foolish. The rail will presumably go under the main strip of the
airport. When it comes up on the other side, it will service the rapidly
growing population around Forrestfield and the eastern suburbs. That area is in
great need of improved public transport. Both projects are in the very early
stages of development. That is the reality. There are a whole lot of engineering
—
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Mr Speaker, I give up. This is pointless.
The SPEAKER :
Leader of the Opposition, I call you to order for the first time. This is
taking us nowhere fast. We are now five minutes into question time.
Mr B.S. Wyatt :
Just like the light rail.
The SPEAKER : Thank
you, member for Victoria Park. I call you to order the second time. I would
like to hear the rest of the Premier's answer.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
simply make the point that we are in the early stages of project planning and
development. Both projects are complex and expensive. A report on the status of
the progress of those projects will be given as part of the Government Mid-year Financial Projections
Statement and there will be greater detail in next year's budget.
There may be some variability around election timing but, rest assured, this
government will build those two projects.
to both of those projects, and we will build both of those projects.
Ms M.M. Quirk :
Either you're doing it or you're not doing it.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
just said —
The SPEAKER :
Member for Girrawheen, I call you to order for the first time. I do not want
constant commentary on everything that happens in the house.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
This government is committed to both of those projects and we will build both
of those projects.
Mr M. McGowan : By
2030 is not good enough. When?
The SPEAKER :
Leader of the Opposition!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
They are large and complex projects. Building a light rail system through the
northern suburbs will not be easy. There will be land resumptions.
Mr B.S. Wyatt :
Lucky you fully costed it.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Victoria Park, I want to hear the Premier's answer. I call
you to order for the first time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Introducing light rail around the city is a complex project. There is some
dispute in the City of Perth about what route it should take, and that is fair;
there are different points of view. We will have to work through that. It is a
new form of transport involving new technology and is a feature of most modern,
progressive cities. The rail line to the airport also has its complications. It
has to go over the river, so a bridge will need to be constructed.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Bassendean, I call you to order for the first time. Member for West
Swan, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
There needs to be a river crossing. The water table is also high through that
area. Members may also have noticed that there is an airport, so the rail will
need to —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
They are just foolish. The rail will presumably go under the main strip of the
airport. When it comes up on the other side, it will service the rapidly
growing population around Forrestfield and the eastern suburbs. That area is in
great need of improved public transport. Both projects are in the very early
stages of development. That is the reality. There are a whole lot of engineering
—
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Mr Speaker, I give up. This is pointless.
The SPEAKER :
Leader of the Opposition, I call you to order for the first time. This is
taking us nowhere fast. We are now five minutes into question time.
Mr B.S. Wyatt :
Just like the light rail.
The SPEAKER : Thank
you, member for Victoria Park. I call you to order the second time. I would
like to hear the rest of the Premier's answer.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
simply make the point that we are in the early stages of project planning and
development. Both projects are complex and expensive. A report on the status of
the progress of those projects will be given as part of the Government Mid-year Financial Projections
Statement and there will be greater detail in next year's budget.
There may be some variability around election timing but, rest assured, this
government will build those two projects.
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