❓ Opposition Leader McGowan questions Premier Barnett on prioritising the Perth Freight Link over the Metronet plan, suggesting funds be redirected. The Premier defends his government's transport priorities, including Roe 8 and the airport rail project, while downplaying the immediate likelihood of the MAX light rail project.
AnsweredQoN 833Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PUBLIC TRANSPORT — LIGHT RAIL
833. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Why
does the Premier not just dump the flawed Perth Freight Link and devote the
money saved, both state and federal, towards a real transport plan such as our
Metronet plan?
833. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Why
does the Premier not just dump the flawed Perth Freight Link and devote the
money saved, both state and federal, towards a real transport plan such as our
Metronet plan?
AnswerView source ↗
This government, in its first term of office, absolutely
revolutionised the health system. It rebuilt the health system across the state—absolutely.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
In our first term of government —
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
am answering the question.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro! Member for Bassendean!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I make the observation that in our first term, our biggest
area of new expenditure was rebuilding the public health system in metropolitan
and country Western Australia. That is now complete or nearing completion. I
made it very clear going into the last election that the big challenge in the
next term of government would be transport, just as health had been in the
first term. Our priorities are Roe 8, which is very close to being contracted
and going ahead. Roe 8 will start construction —
Ms
S.F. McGurk interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Fremantle, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Roe 8 is all but ready—right there.
Mr P.C. Tinley interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Show some maturity.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Willagee, I call you to order for the first time. We are getting
absolutely nowhere today.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Roe 8 is the first priority. We expect contracts to be signed this year and
construction to begin early next year.
Mr P. Papalia interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Our second priority is the rail project to Forrestfield through the airport.
That hopefully will go into construction, I think, in 2016. Then we will
determine our third priority. But we have put back the Metro Area Express light
rail. We are not likely to bring it forward.
Mr P. Papalia interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Given the change of Prime Minister and Prime Minister
Turnbull saying that he would be prepared to support urban rail projects, we
will be seeking a contribution for the airport project and a contribution for
the MAX project, but there is a lot of work to be done on MAX. It is not
reasonable to expect the state to build Roe 8, the airport project and MAX
light rail all at one time. That is not reasonable.
revolutionised the health system. It rebuilt the health system across the state—absolutely.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
In our first term of government —
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
am answering the question.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro! Member for Bassendean!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I make the observation that in our first term, our biggest
area of new expenditure was rebuilding the public health system in metropolitan
and country Western Australia. That is now complete or nearing completion. I
made it very clear going into the last election that the big challenge in the
next term of government would be transport, just as health had been in the
first term. Our priorities are Roe 8, which is very close to being contracted
and going ahead. Roe 8 will start construction —
Ms
S.F. McGurk interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Fremantle, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Roe 8 is all but ready—right there.
Mr P.C. Tinley interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Show some maturity.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Willagee, I call you to order for the first time. We are getting
absolutely nowhere today.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Roe 8 is the first priority. We expect contracts to be signed this year and
construction to begin early next year.
Mr P. Papalia interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Our second priority is the rail project to Forrestfield through the airport.
That hopefully will go into construction, I think, in 2016. Then we will
determine our third priority. But we have put back the Metro Area Express light
rail. We are not likely to bring it forward.
Mr P. Papalia interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Given the change of Prime Minister and Prime Minister
Turnbull saying that he would be prepared to support urban rail projects, we
will be seeking a contribution for the airport project and a contribution for
the MAX project, but there is a lot of work to be done on MAX. It is not
reasonable to expect the state to build Roe 8, the airport project and MAX
light rail all at one time. That is not reasonable.
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