❓ Opposition questions the Premier about the analysis and planning behind the decision to privatise Fremantle Ports. The Premier defends the decision, criticising the previous Labor government's inaction and asserting the privatisation is good asset management.
AnsweredQoN 400Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
FREMANTLE
PORTS — PRIVATISATION
400. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Prior to making this
decision to dispose of Fremantle port, has the Premier conducted any analysis
or business case around this decision-making process; what proceeds will the
state receive; and what rules and regulations will be around the sale of that
particular port?
PORTS — PRIVATISATION
400. Mr M. McGOWAN to the
Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Prior to making this
decision to dispose of Fremantle port, has the Premier conducted any analysis
or business case around this decision-making process; what proceeds will the
state receive; and what rules and regulations will be around the sale of that
particular port?
AnswerView source ↗
That says it all—the Labor Party is about process and
reports and committees! That is why the former Labor government did not do anything.
That is why it achieved so little in government—because it could never
make a decision!
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Look at them!
This government makes decisions. We made a decision to list a
series of assets that are under consideration for privatisation; one of them is
the Fremantle Ports. We will now go through and do all the work. It is not
going to be sold quickly; it will be a complex sale.
Mr P. Papalia : It
is a fire sale.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Warnbro!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
No, it is not a fire sale; it is good management of public assets. This
government has built an enormous quantity of assets around the state and we
continue to do so. To do that, we need to finance it both by debt—hopefully,
by surpluses as we return to those—but we also need to dispose of
assets that are mature. Fremantle port will continue to be run, it will
continue to employ people, and it will be fine. We are about to start that
process.
reports and committees! That is why the former Labor government did not do anything.
That is why it achieved so little in government—because it could never
make a decision!
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Look at them!
This government makes decisions. We made a decision to list a
series of assets that are under consideration for privatisation; one of them is
the Fremantle Ports. We will now go through and do all the work. It is not
going to be sold quickly; it will be a complex sale.
Mr P. Papalia : It
is a fire sale.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Warnbro!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
No, it is not a fire sale; it is good management of public assets. This
government has built an enormous quantity of assets around the state and we
continue to do so. To do that, we need to finance it both by debt—hopefully,
by surpluses as we return to those—but we also need to dispose of
assets that are mature. Fremantle port will continue to be run, it will
continue to employ people, and it will be fine. We are about to start that
process.
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