❓ Opposition Leader Barnett questions Premier Gallop about the total cost of the Southern Rail Link, including interest repayments, and its impact on funding for essential services. Premier Gallop defends the project, highlighting its importance and the government's strong financial management.
AnsweredQoN 279Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the Premier to the financing arrangements for the southern rail link, which now has a construction cost of $1.5 billion and which will saddle taxpayers with more than $1.3 billion in interest repayments for the next 33 years. (1) Does the Premier acknowledge that the total cost of the southern rail link is now $2.8 billion? (2) Is the Premier aware that for every year in which the State pays an average $40 million in interest payments it will forgo eight primary schools, 11 police stations or six country hospitals? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) The financing arrangements for the railway line were always very clear for every citizen in Western Australia. The railway line will cost the figure that the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has always given. The Government of Western Australia will borrow money to facilitate this great project. We are very pleased to say that we will be able to complete this project and meet our debt-to-revenue ratio such that we will preserve our AAA credit rating, and that has been confirmed by the credit agency people. We will have strong finances, with the AAA credit rating confirmed, and a magnificent railway line from Perth to Mandurah. That is the style of government we have from my Government. There has never been in any way, shape or form any concealment from the people of Western Australia of the cost of the railway line or the way it will be financed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Dr G.I. GALLOP: As the member for Willagee said in his interjection, what is the price of the Leader of the Opposition’s home? How do we talk about the price of a home when we sell it? Of course we do not incorporate in that price all the interest payments that are made over the time in which it is purchased. This is just another way in which members of the Opposition are trying to criticise one of the most important projects in Western Australia today. I will let them in on a secret: they can keep criticising the railway, they can keep moving their matter of public interest motions and they can keep asking their questions, because we know that this railway line has the full and enthusiastic support of the people of Western Australia.
(1) Does the Premier acknowledge that the total cost of the southern rail link is now $2.8 billion? (2) Is the Premier aware that for every year in which the State pays an average $40 million in interest payments it will forgo eight primary schools, 11 police stations or six country hospitals? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The financing arrangements for the railway line were always very clear for every citizen in Western Australia. The railway line will cost the figure that the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has always given. The Government of Western Australia will borrow money to facilitate this great project. We are very pleased to say that we will be able to complete this project and meet our debt-to-revenue ratio such that we will preserve our AAA credit rating, and that has been confirmed by the credit agency people. We will have strong finances, with the AAA credit rating confirmed, and a magnificent railway line from Perth to Mandurah. That is the style of government we have from my Government. There has never been in any way, shape or form any concealment from the people of Western Australia of the cost of the railway line or the way it will be financed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Dr G.I. GALLOP: As the member for Willagee said in his interjection, what is the price of the Leader of the Opposition’s home? How do we talk about the price of a home when we sell it? Of course we do not incorporate in that price all the interest payments that are made over the time in which it is purchased. This is just another way in which members of the Opposition are trying to criticise one of the most important projects in Western Australia today. I will let them in on a secret: they can keep criticising the railway, they can keep moving their matter of public interest motions and they can keep asking their questions, because we know that this railway line has the full and enthusiastic support of the people of Western Australia.
(2) Is the Premier aware that for every year in which the State pays an average $40 million in interest payments it will forgo eight primary schools, 11 police stations or six country hospitals? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The financing arrangements for the railway line were always very clear for every citizen in Western Australia. The railway line will cost the figure that the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has always given. The Government of Western Australia will borrow money to facilitate this great project. We are very pleased to say that we will be able to complete this project and meet our debt-to-revenue ratio such that we will preserve our AAA credit rating, and that has been confirmed by the credit agency people. We will have strong finances, with the AAA credit rating confirmed, and a magnificent railway line from Perth to Mandurah. That is the style of government we have from my Government. There has never been in any way, shape or form any concealment from the people of Western Australia of the cost of the railway line or the way it will be financed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Dr G.I. GALLOP: As the member for Willagee said in his interjection, what is the price of the Leader of the Opposition’s home? How do we talk about the price of a home when we sell it? Of course we do not incorporate in that price all the interest payments that are made over the time in which it is purchased. This is just another way in which members of the Opposition are trying to criticise one of the most important projects in Western Australia today. I will let them in on a secret: they can keep criticising the railway, they can keep moving their matter of public interest motions and they can keep asking their questions, because we know that this railway line has the full and enthusiastic support of the people of Western Australia.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The financing arrangements for the railway line were always very clear for every citizen in Western Australia. The railway line will cost the figure that the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has always given. The Government of Western Australia will borrow money to facilitate this great project. We are very pleased to say that we will be able to complete this project and meet our debt-to-revenue ratio such that we will preserve our AAA credit rating, and that has been confirmed by the credit agency people. We will have strong finances, with the AAA credit rating confirmed, and a magnificent railway line from Perth to Mandurah. That is the style of government we have from my Government. There has never been in any way, shape or form any concealment from the people of Western Australia of the cost of the railway line or the way it will be financed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Dr G.I. GALLOP: As the member for Willagee said in his interjection, what is the price of the Leader of the Opposition’s home? How do we talk about the price of a home when we sell it? Of course we do not incorporate in that price all the interest payments that are made over the time in which it is purchased. This is just another way in which members of the Opposition are trying to criticise one of the most important projects in Western Australia today. I will let them in on a secret: they can keep criticising the railway, they can keep moving their matter of public interest motions and they can keep asking their questions, because we know that this railway line has the full and enthusiastic support of the people of Western Australia.
(1)-(2) The financing arrangements for the railway line were always very clear for every citizen in Western Australia. The railway line will cost the figure that the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has always given. The Government of Western Australia will borrow money to facilitate this great project. We are very pleased to say that we will be able to complete this project and meet our debt-to-revenue ratio such that we will preserve our AAA credit rating, and that has been confirmed by the credit agency people. We will have strong finances, with the AAA credit rating confirmed, and a magnificent railway line from Perth to Mandurah. That is the style of government we have from my Government. There has never been in any way, shape or form any concealment from the people of Western Australia of the cost of the railway line or the way it will be financed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Dr G.I. GALLOP: As the member for Willagee said in his interjection, what is the price of the Leader of the Opposition’s home? How do we talk about the price of a home when we sell it? Of course we do not incorporate in that price all the interest payments that are made over the time in which it is purchased. This is just another way in which members of the Opposition are trying to criticise one of the most important projects in Western Australia today. I will let them in on a secret: they can keep criticising the railway, they can keep moving their matter of public interest motions and they can keep asking their questions, because we know that this railway line has the full and enthusiastic support of the people of Western Australia.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Dr G.I. GALLOP: As the member for Willagee said in his interjection, what is the price of the Leader of the Opposition’s home? How do we talk about the price of a home when we sell it? Of course we do not incorporate in that price all the interest payments that are made over the time in which it is purchased. This is just another way in which members of the Opposition are trying to criticise one of the most important projects in Western Australia today. I will let them in on a secret: they can keep criticising the railway, they can keep moving their matter of public interest motions and they can keep asking their questions, because we know that this railway line has the full and enthusiastic support of the people of Western Australia.
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Dr G.I. GALLOP: As the member for Willagee said in his interjection, what is the price of the Leader of the Opposition’s home? How do we talk about the price of a home when we sell it? Of course we do not incorporate in that price all the interest payments that are made over the time in which it is purchased. This is just another way in which members of the Opposition are trying to criticise one of the most important projects in Western Australia today. I will let them in on a secret: they can keep criticising the railway, they can keep moving their matter of public interest motions and they can keep asking their questions, because we know that this railway line has the full and enthusiastic support of the people of Western Australia.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: As the member for Willagee said in his interjection, what is the price of the Leader of the Opposition’s home? How do we talk about the price of a home when we sell it? Of course we do not incorporate in that price all the interest payments that are made over the time in which it is purchased. This is just another way in which members of the Opposition are trying to criticise one of the most important projects in Western Australia today. I will let them in on a secret: they can keep criticising the railway, they can keep moving their matter of public interest motions and they can keep asking their questions, because we know that this railway line has the full and enthusiastic support of the people of Western Australia.
(1) Does the Premier acknowledge that the total cost of the southern rail link is now $2.8 billion? (2) Is the Premier aware that for every year in which the State pays an average $40 million in interest payments it will forgo eight primary schools, 11 police stations or six country hospitals? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The financing arrangements for the railway line were always very clear for every citizen in Western Australia. The railway line will cost the figure that the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has always given. The Government of Western Australia will borrow money to facilitate this great project. We are very pleased to say that we will be able to complete this project and meet our debt-to-revenue ratio such that we will preserve our AAA credit rating, and that has been confirmed by the credit agency people. We will have strong finances, with the AAA credit rating confirmed, and a magnificent railway line from Perth to Mandurah. That is the style of government we have from my Government. There has never been in any way, shape or form any concealment from the people of Western Australia of the cost of the railway line or the way it will be financed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Dr G.I. GALLOP: As the member for Willagee said in his interjection, what is the price of the Leader of the Opposition’s home? How do we talk about the price of a home when we sell it? Of course we do not incorporate in that price all the interest payments that are made over the time in which it is purchased. This is just another way in which members of the Opposition are trying to criticise one of the most important projects in Western Australia today. I will let them in on a secret: they can keep criticising the railway, they can keep moving their matter of public interest motions and they can keep asking their questions, because we know that this railway line has the full and enthusiastic support of the people of Western Australia.
(2) Is the Premier aware that for every year in which the State pays an average $40 million in interest payments it will forgo eight primary schools, 11 police stations or six country hospitals? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The financing arrangements for the railway line were always very clear for every citizen in Western Australia. The railway line will cost the figure that the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has always given. The Government of Western Australia will borrow money to facilitate this great project. We are very pleased to say that we will be able to complete this project and meet our debt-to-revenue ratio such that we will preserve our AAA credit rating, and that has been confirmed by the credit agency people. We will have strong finances, with the AAA credit rating confirmed, and a magnificent railway line from Perth to Mandurah. That is the style of government we have from my Government. There has never been in any way, shape or form any concealment from the people of Western Australia of the cost of the railway line or the way it will be financed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Dr G.I. GALLOP: As the member for Willagee said in his interjection, what is the price of the Leader of the Opposition’s home? How do we talk about the price of a home when we sell it? Of course we do not incorporate in that price all the interest payments that are made over the time in which it is purchased. This is just another way in which members of the Opposition are trying to criticise one of the most important projects in Western Australia today. I will let them in on a secret: they can keep criticising the railway, they can keep moving their matter of public interest motions and they can keep asking their questions, because we know that this railway line has the full and enthusiastic support of the people of Western Australia.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The financing arrangements for the railway line were always very clear for every citizen in Western Australia. The railway line will cost the figure that the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has always given. The Government of Western Australia will borrow money to facilitate this great project. We are very pleased to say that we will be able to complete this project and meet our debt-to-revenue ratio such that we will preserve our AAA credit rating, and that has been confirmed by the credit agency people. We will have strong finances, with the AAA credit rating confirmed, and a magnificent railway line from Perth to Mandurah. That is the style of government we have from my Government. There has never been in any way, shape or form any concealment from the people of Western Australia of the cost of the railway line or the way it will be financed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Dr G.I. GALLOP: As the member for Willagee said in his interjection, what is the price of the Leader of the Opposition’s home? How do we talk about the price of a home when we sell it? Of course we do not incorporate in that price all the interest payments that are made over the time in which it is purchased. This is just another way in which members of the Opposition are trying to criticise one of the most important projects in Western Australia today. I will let them in on a secret: they can keep criticising the railway, they can keep moving their matter of public interest motions and they can keep asking their questions, because we know that this railway line has the full and enthusiastic support of the people of Western Australia.
(1)-(2) The financing arrangements for the railway line were always very clear for every citizen in Western Australia. The railway line will cost the figure that the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has always given. The Government of Western Australia will borrow money to facilitate this great project. We are very pleased to say that we will be able to complete this project and meet our debt-to-revenue ratio such that we will preserve our AAA credit rating, and that has been confirmed by the credit agency people. We will have strong finances, with the AAA credit rating confirmed, and a magnificent railway line from Perth to Mandurah. That is the style of government we have from my Government. There has never been in any way, shape or form any concealment from the people of Western Australia of the cost of the railway line or the way it will be financed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Dr G.I. GALLOP: As the member for Willagee said in his interjection, what is the price of the Leader of the Opposition’s home? How do we talk about the price of a home when we sell it? Of course we do not incorporate in that price all the interest payments that are made over the time in which it is purchased. This is just another way in which members of the Opposition are trying to criticise one of the most important projects in Western Australia today. I will let them in on a secret: they can keep criticising the railway, they can keep moving their matter of public interest motions and they can keep asking their questions, because we know that this railway line has the full and enthusiastic support of the people of Western Australia.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Dr G.I. GALLOP: As the member for Willagee said in his interjection, what is the price of the Leader of the Opposition’s home? How do we talk about the price of a home when we sell it? Of course we do not incorporate in that price all the interest payments that are made over the time in which it is purchased. This is just another way in which members of the Opposition are trying to criticise one of the most important projects in Western Australia today. I will let them in on a secret: they can keep criticising the railway, they can keep moving their matter of public interest motions and they can keep asking their questions, because we know that this railway line has the full and enthusiastic support of the people of Western Australia.
The SPEAKER: Order, members! Dr G.I. GALLOP: As the member for Willagee said in his interjection, what is the price of the Leader of the Opposition’s home? How do we talk about the price of a home when we sell it? Of course we do not incorporate in that price all the interest payments that are made over the time in which it is purchased. This is just another way in which members of the Opposition are trying to criticise one of the most important projects in Western Australia today. I will let them in on a secret: they can keep criticising the railway, they can keep moving their matter of public interest motions and they can keep asking their questions, because we know that this railway line has the full and enthusiastic support of the people of Western Australia.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: As the member for Willagee said in his interjection, what is the price of the Leader of the Opposition’s home? How do we talk about the price of a home when we sell it? Of course we do not incorporate in that price all the interest payments that are made over the time in which it is purchased. This is just another way in which members of the Opposition are trying to criticise one of the most important projects in Western Australia today. I will let them in on a secret: they can keep criticising the railway, they can keep moving their matter of public interest motions and they can keep asking their questions, because we know that this railway line has the full and enthusiastic support of the people of Western Australia.
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