❓ Mr Murray questions the Premier about job security for TAB franchise holders and Muja power station workers given potential privatisation. The Premier responds, clarifying the status of both assets and criticising the racing industry's performance.
AnsweredQoN 454Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
STATE
FINANCES — ASSET SALES
454. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the
Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Given that the TAB and the
Muja power station are government agencies nominated for privatisation, what
does the Premier say to the TAB franchise holders and power generation workers
who remain uncertain about their jobs, future business operations and forward
planning?
FINANCES — ASSET SALES
454. Mr M.P. MURRAY to the
Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Given that the TAB and the
Muja power station are government agencies nominated for privatisation, what
does the Premier say to the TAB franchise holders and power generation workers
who remain uncertain about their jobs, future business operations and forward
planning?
AnswerView source ↗
Muja AB has recently been refurbished and is now operating at
its design capacity. That asset may be considered in the future, but it is not
in a position to come under consideration now; there are still issues relating
to that, one of which would be that we want to prove the continual performance
of that station before it is considered. With respect to the TAB, I have said
publicly that it will not be among the initial assets considered for sale, but
we will examine it. There are a few issues to do with that and the member for
South Perth has raised some issues. Go to the races; how many people go to the
races and how many people are there with them? About 2 000, if they are lucky,
in Perth. The other day there was a meeting of the dogs and 91 people turned
up.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member of Albany!
Mr M.P. Murray interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Collie–Preston, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
think the racing codes have a responsibility to look at themselves. Is it
realistic to have two major horseracing venues within a couple of kilometres of
each other in Perth? I do not know; I suspect not.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The racing industry has been slow to look at sharing assets and combining them.
The codes have been slow in this, and they all come to government and want
extra funding. There is a point, and there is some responsibility on the racing
codes, in my view, to improve their performance. One of the key measures is how
many people can be attracted to the track, and they are not attracting too many
at all. I take the point that the member for Collie–Preston raises
about TAB franchise operators, but I repeat again that the TAB will be examined—I
think that is overdue—but it will not be among the initial list of
assets to be privatised.
its design capacity. That asset may be considered in the future, but it is not
in a position to come under consideration now; there are still issues relating
to that, one of which would be that we want to prove the continual performance
of that station before it is considered. With respect to the TAB, I have said
publicly that it will not be among the initial assets considered for sale, but
we will examine it. There are a few issues to do with that and the member for
South Perth has raised some issues. Go to the races; how many people go to the
races and how many people are there with them? About 2 000, if they are lucky,
in Perth. The other day there was a meeting of the dogs and 91 people turned
up.
Mr P.B. Watson interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member of Albany!
Mr M.P. Murray interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Collie–Preston, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
think the racing codes have a responsibility to look at themselves. Is it
realistic to have two major horseracing venues within a couple of kilometres of
each other in Perth? I do not know; I suspect not.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
The racing industry has been slow to look at sharing assets and combining them.
The codes have been slow in this, and they all come to government and want
extra funding. There is a point, and there is some responsibility on the racing
codes, in my view, to improve their performance. One of the key measures is how
many people can be attracted to the track, and they are not attracting too many
at all. I take the point that the member for Collie–Preston raises
about TAB franchise operators, but I repeat again that the TAB will be examined—I
think that is overdue—but it will not be among the initial list of
assets to be privatised.
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