❓ Question regarding the Minister's promise to increase district allowances for public servants in regional areas, the budget allocation for this, and whether it's subject to the new wages policy. The Minister's response deflects, highlighting government initiatives and criticising the opposition.
AnsweredQoN 326Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DISTRICT ALLOWANCES FOR REGIONAL WORKERS
I welcome members of the Community and Public Sector Union-Civil Service Association of WA, CPSU-CSA, who are in the gallery today. I refer to the minister’s comments at Lotteries House in Karratha in the lead-up to the state election in which he promised to increase allowances for public servants in regional areas. (1) When will the minister deliver on his promise? (2) Has the Treasurer made a budget allocation to enable increased district allowances to be delivered to regional workers? (3) Is the direct allowance subject to the new wages policy announced by the Treasurer? Mr B.J. GRYLLS
I welcome members of the Community and Public Sector Union-Civil Service Association of WA, CPSU-CSA, who are in the gallery today. I refer to the minister’s comments at Lotteries House in Karratha in the lead-up to the state election in which he promised to increase allowances for public servants in regional areas. (1) When will the minister deliver on his promise? (2) Has the Treasurer made a budget allocation to enable increased district allowances to be delivered to regional workers? (3) Is the direct allowance subject to the new wages policy announced by the Treasurer? Mr B.J. GRYLLS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) I thank the minister—the member for North West for his question. The member is a long way from being a minister; he has to do something if he wants to be a minister! I am very happy to refer to that meeting that was held in the hullabaloo of the election campaign. At that time the member was the endorsed Labor candidate for the seat of North West, and he came along to a meeting attended by approximately 100 or so government employees across all different departments. The police and employees in the prisons service were represented in large numbers, given the location of the Roebourne prison. The union put on the table the findings of a regional prices index survey that showed the extra costs of living in regional Western Australia. Members of the CPSU believed that issue needed to be addressed to ensure a level of equity between someone who takes a job in the government sector in the metropolitan area and someone who works in the Pilbara or in the Kimberley. A lot of detailed modelling was done on that, which indicated, as we all know, that it is more expensive to live and work in those regions and that existing incentives do not go far enough in addressing that anomaly. The interesting aspect of that meeting was that the nominated Labor candidate for North West did not say anything! That is another example of nothing being done. I was very happy to receive that information. The National Party made commitments under its Housing our Workers policy to develop a policy of rent incentives to government employees in regional areas not only to encourage them to go to regional areas, but also to provide incentives to stay for a longer period. That was the policy that the National Party had launched. Close to the election, the CPSU put out a plan on district allowances under this regional prices index, which is also a good document. Representatives of the CPSU attended the National Party’s conference in Kalgoorlie on the weekend. I welcomed their attendance. My commitment to CPSU is that the government is looking at its Housing our Workforce initiatives and also the CPSU claims about district allowances. Mr F.M. Logan : You put your support in writing in a letter! You committed yourself. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I know. Mr F.M. Logan : They want you to deliver. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : What am I going to deliver? Members opposite say that I deliver too often! They are sick of me delivering; they tell me to stop delivering! Do members opposite want me to deliver or not? Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
I refer to the minister’s comments at Lotteries House in Karratha in the lead-up to the state election in which he promised to increase allowances for public servants in regional areas. (1) When will the minister deliver on his promise? (2) Has the Treasurer made a budget allocation to enable increased district allowances to be delivered to regional workers? (3) Is the direct allowance subject to the new wages policy announced by the Treasurer? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the minister—the member for North West for his question. The member is a long way from being a minister; he has to do something if he wants to be a minister! I am very happy to refer to that meeting that was held in the hullabaloo of the election campaign. At that time the member was the endorsed Labor candidate for the seat of North West, and he came along to a meeting attended by approximately 100 or so government employees across all different departments. The police and employees in the prisons service were represented in large numbers, given the location of the Roebourne prison. The union put on the table the findings of a regional prices index survey that showed the extra costs of living in regional Western Australia. Members of the CPSU believed that issue needed to be addressed to ensure a level of equity between someone who takes a job in the government sector in the metropolitan area and someone who works in the Pilbara or in the Kimberley. A lot of detailed modelling was done on that, which indicated, as we all know, that it is more expensive to live and work in those regions and that existing incentives do not go far enough in addressing that anomaly. The interesting aspect of that meeting was that the nominated Labor candidate for North West did not say anything! That is another example of nothing being done. I was very happy to receive that information. The National Party made commitments under its Housing our Workers policy to develop a policy of rent incentives to government employees in regional areas not only to encourage them to go to regional areas, but also to provide incentives to stay for a longer period. That was the policy that the National Party had launched. Close to the election, the CPSU put out a plan on district allowances under this regional prices index, which is also a good document. Representatives of the CPSU attended the National Party’s conference in Kalgoorlie on the weekend. I welcomed their attendance. My commitment to CPSU is that the government is looking at its Housing our Workforce initiatives and also the CPSU claims about district allowances. Mr F.M. Logan : You put your support in writing in a letter! You committed yourself. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I know. Mr F.M. Logan : They want you to deliver. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : What am I going to deliver? Members opposite say that I deliver too often! They are sick of me delivering; they tell me to stop delivering! Do members opposite want me to deliver or not? Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
(1) When will the minister deliver on his promise? (2) Has the Treasurer made a budget allocation to enable increased district allowances to be delivered to regional workers? (3) Is the direct allowance subject to the new wages policy announced by the Treasurer? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the minister—the member for North West for his question. The member is a long way from being a minister; he has to do something if he wants to be a minister! I am very happy to refer to that meeting that was held in the hullabaloo of the election campaign. At that time the member was the endorsed Labor candidate for the seat of North West, and he came along to a meeting attended by approximately 100 or so government employees across all different departments. The police and employees in the prisons service were represented in large numbers, given the location of the Roebourne prison. The union put on the table the findings of a regional prices index survey that showed the extra costs of living in regional Western Australia. Members of the CPSU believed that issue needed to be addressed to ensure a level of equity between someone who takes a job in the government sector in the metropolitan area and someone who works in the Pilbara or in the Kimberley. A lot of detailed modelling was done on that, which indicated, as we all know, that it is more expensive to live and work in those regions and that existing incentives do not go far enough in addressing that anomaly. The interesting aspect of that meeting was that the nominated Labor candidate for North West did not say anything! That is another example of nothing being done. I was very happy to receive that information. The National Party made commitments under its Housing our Workers policy to develop a policy of rent incentives to government employees in regional areas not only to encourage them to go to regional areas, but also to provide incentives to stay for a longer period. That was the policy that the National Party had launched. Close to the election, the CPSU put out a plan on district allowances under this regional prices index, which is also a good document. Representatives of the CPSU attended the National Party’s conference in Kalgoorlie on the weekend. I welcomed their attendance. My commitment to CPSU is that the government is looking at its Housing our Workforce initiatives and also the CPSU claims about district allowances. Mr F.M. Logan : You put your support in writing in a letter! You committed yourself. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I know. Mr F.M. Logan : They want you to deliver. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : What am I going to deliver? Members opposite say that I deliver too often! They are sick of me delivering; they tell me to stop delivering! Do members opposite want me to deliver or not? Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
(2) Has the Treasurer made a budget allocation to enable increased district allowances to be delivered to regional workers? (3) Is the direct allowance subject to the new wages policy announced by the Treasurer? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the minister—the member for North West for his question. The member is a long way from being a minister; he has to do something if he wants to be a minister! I am very happy to refer to that meeting that was held in the hullabaloo of the election campaign. At that time the member was the endorsed Labor candidate for the seat of North West, and he came along to a meeting attended by approximately 100 or so government employees across all different departments. The police and employees in the prisons service were represented in large numbers, given the location of the Roebourne prison. The union put on the table the findings of a regional prices index survey that showed the extra costs of living in regional Western Australia. Members of the CPSU believed that issue needed to be addressed to ensure a level of equity between someone who takes a job in the government sector in the metropolitan area and someone who works in the Pilbara or in the Kimberley. A lot of detailed modelling was done on that, which indicated, as we all know, that it is more expensive to live and work in those regions and that existing incentives do not go far enough in addressing that anomaly. The interesting aspect of that meeting was that the nominated Labor candidate for North West did not say anything! That is another example of nothing being done. I was very happy to receive that information. The National Party made commitments under its Housing our Workers policy to develop a policy of rent incentives to government employees in regional areas not only to encourage them to go to regional areas, but also to provide incentives to stay for a longer period. That was the policy that the National Party had launched. Close to the election, the CPSU put out a plan on district allowances under this regional prices index, which is also a good document. Representatives of the CPSU attended the National Party’s conference in Kalgoorlie on the weekend. I welcomed their attendance. My commitment to CPSU is that the government is looking at its Housing our Workforce initiatives and also the CPSU claims about district allowances. Mr F.M. Logan : You put your support in writing in a letter! You committed yourself. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I know. Mr F.M. Logan : They want you to deliver. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : What am I going to deliver? Members opposite say that I deliver too often! They are sick of me delivering; they tell me to stop delivering! Do members opposite want me to deliver or not? Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
(3) Is the direct allowance subject to the new wages policy announced by the Treasurer? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the minister—the member for North West for his question. The member is a long way from being a minister; he has to do something if he wants to be a minister! I am very happy to refer to that meeting that was held in the hullabaloo of the election campaign. At that time the member was the endorsed Labor candidate for the seat of North West, and he came along to a meeting attended by approximately 100 or so government employees across all different departments. The police and employees in the prisons service were represented in large numbers, given the location of the Roebourne prison. The union put on the table the findings of a regional prices index survey that showed the extra costs of living in regional Western Australia. Members of the CPSU believed that issue needed to be addressed to ensure a level of equity between someone who takes a job in the government sector in the metropolitan area and someone who works in the Pilbara or in the Kimberley. A lot of detailed modelling was done on that, which indicated, as we all know, that it is more expensive to live and work in those regions and that existing incentives do not go far enough in addressing that anomaly. The interesting aspect of that meeting was that the nominated Labor candidate for North West did not say anything! That is another example of nothing being done. I was very happy to receive that information. The National Party made commitments under its Housing our Workers policy to develop a policy of rent incentives to government employees in regional areas not only to encourage them to go to regional areas, but also to provide incentives to stay for a longer period. That was the policy that the National Party had launched. Close to the election, the CPSU put out a plan on district allowances under this regional prices index, which is also a good document. Representatives of the CPSU attended the National Party’s conference in Kalgoorlie on the weekend. I welcomed their attendance. My commitment to CPSU is that the government is looking at its Housing our Workforce initiatives and also the CPSU claims about district allowances. Mr F.M. Logan : You put your support in writing in a letter! You committed yourself. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I know. Mr F.M. Logan : They want you to deliver. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : What am I going to deliver? Members opposite say that I deliver too often! They are sick of me delivering; they tell me to stop delivering! Do members opposite want me to deliver or not? Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the minister—the member for North West for his question. The member is a long way from being a minister; he has to do something if he wants to be a minister! I am very happy to refer to that meeting that was held in the hullabaloo of the election campaign. At that time the member was the endorsed Labor candidate for the seat of North West, and he came along to a meeting attended by approximately 100 or so government employees across all different departments. The police and employees in the prisons service were represented in large numbers, given the location of the Roebourne prison. The union put on the table the findings of a regional prices index survey that showed the extra costs of living in regional Western Australia. Members of the CPSU believed that issue needed to be addressed to ensure a level of equity between someone who takes a job in the government sector in the metropolitan area and someone who works in the Pilbara or in the Kimberley. A lot of detailed modelling was done on that, which indicated, as we all know, that it is more expensive to live and work in those regions and that existing incentives do not go far enough in addressing that anomaly. The interesting aspect of that meeting was that the nominated Labor candidate for North West did not say anything! That is another example of nothing being done. I was very happy to receive that information. The National Party made commitments under its Housing our Workers policy to develop a policy of rent incentives to government employees in regional areas not only to encourage them to go to regional areas, but also to provide incentives to stay for a longer period. That was the policy that the National Party had launched. Close to the election, the CPSU put out a plan on district allowances under this regional prices index, which is also a good document. Representatives of the CPSU attended the National Party’s conference in Kalgoorlie on the weekend. I welcomed their attendance. My commitment to CPSU is that the government is looking at its Housing our Workforce initiatives and also the CPSU claims about district allowances. Mr F.M. Logan : You put your support in writing in a letter! You committed yourself. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I know. Mr F.M. Logan : They want you to deliver. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : What am I going to deliver? Members opposite say that I deliver too often! They are sick of me delivering; they tell me to stop delivering! Do members opposite want me to deliver or not? Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
(1)-(3) I thank the minister—the member for North West for his question. The member is a long way from being a minister; he has to do something if he wants to be a minister! I am very happy to refer to that meeting that was held in the hullabaloo of the election campaign. At that time the member was the endorsed Labor candidate for the seat of North West, and he came along to a meeting attended by approximately 100 or so government employees across all different departments. The police and employees in the prisons service were represented in large numbers, given the location of the Roebourne prison. The union put on the table the findings of a regional prices index survey that showed the extra costs of living in regional Western Australia. Members of the CPSU believed that issue needed to be addressed to ensure a level of equity between someone who takes a job in the government sector in the metropolitan area and someone who works in the Pilbara or in the Kimberley. A lot of detailed modelling was done on that, which indicated, as we all know, that it is more expensive to live and work in those regions and that existing incentives do not go far enough in addressing that anomaly. The interesting aspect of that meeting was that the nominated Labor candidate for North West did not say anything! That is another example of nothing being done. I was very happy to receive that information. The National Party made commitments under its Housing our Workers policy to develop a policy of rent incentives to government employees in regional areas not only to encourage them to go to regional areas, but also to provide incentives to stay for a longer period. That was the policy that the National Party had launched. Close to the election, the CPSU put out a plan on district allowances under this regional prices index, which is also a good document. Representatives of the CPSU attended the National Party’s conference in Kalgoorlie on the weekend. I welcomed their attendance. My commitment to CPSU is that the government is looking at its Housing our Workforce initiatives and also the CPSU claims about district allowances. Mr F.M. Logan : You put your support in writing in a letter! You committed yourself. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I know. Mr F.M. Logan : They want you to deliver. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : What am I going to deliver? Members opposite say that I deliver too often! They are sick of me delivering; they tell me to stop delivering! Do members opposite want me to deliver or not? Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
The interesting aspect of that meeting was that the nominated Labor candidate for North West did not say anything! That is another example of nothing being done. I was very happy to receive that information. The National Party made commitments under its Housing our Workers policy to develop a policy of rent incentives to government employees in regional areas not only to encourage them to go to regional areas, but also to provide incentives to stay for a longer period. That was the policy that the National Party had launched. Close to the election, the CPSU put out a plan on district allowances under this regional prices index, which is also a good document. Representatives of the CPSU attended the National Party’s conference in Kalgoorlie on the weekend. I welcomed their attendance. My commitment to CPSU is that the government is looking at its Housing our Workforce initiatives and also the CPSU claims about district allowances.
Close to the election, the CPSU put out a plan on district allowances under this regional prices index, which is also a good document. Representatives of the CPSU attended the National Party’s conference in Kalgoorlie on the weekend. I welcomed their attendance. My commitment to CPSU is that the government is looking at its Housing our Workforce initiatives and also the CPSU claims about district allowances.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I know. Mr F.M. Logan : They want you to deliver. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : What am I going to deliver? Members opposite say that I deliver too often! They are sick of me delivering; they tell me to stop delivering! Do members opposite want me to deliver or not? Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
Mr F.M. Logan : They want you to deliver. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : What am I going to deliver? Members opposite say that I deliver too often! They are sick of me delivering; they tell me to stop delivering! Do members opposite want me to deliver or not? Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : What am I going to deliver? Members opposite say that I deliver too often! They are sick of me delivering; they tell me to stop delivering! Do members opposite want me to deliver or not? Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
I refer to the minister’s comments at Lotteries House in Karratha in the lead-up to the state election in which he promised to increase allowances for public servants in regional areas. (1) When will the minister deliver on his promise? (2) Has the Treasurer made a budget allocation to enable increased district allowances to be delivered to regional workers? (3) Is the direct allowance subject to the new wages policy announced by the Treasurer? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the minister—the member for North West for his question. The member is a long way from being a minister; he has to do something if he wants to be a minister! I am very happy to refer to that meeting that was held in the hullabaloo of the election campaign. At that time the member was the endorsed Labor candidate for the seat of North West, and he came along to a meeting attended by approximately 100 or so government employees across all different departments. The police and employees in the prisons service were represented in large numbers, given the location of the Roebourne prison. The union put on the table the findings of a regional prices index survey that showed the extra costs of living in regional Western Australia. Members of the CPSU believed that issue needed to be addressed to ensure a level of equity between someone who takes a job in the government sector in the metropolitan area and someone who works in the Pilbara or in the Kimberley. A lot of detailed modelling was done on that, which indicated, as we all know, that it is more expensive to live and work in those regions and that existing incentives do not go far enough in addressing that anomaly. The interesting aspect of that meeting was that the nominated Labor candidate for North West did not say anything! That is another example of nothing being done. I was very happy to receive that information. The National Party made commitments under its Housing our Workers policy to develop a policy of rent incentives to government employees in regional areas not only to encourage them to go to regional areas, but also to provide incentives to stay for a longer period. That was the policy that the National Party had launched. Close to the election, the CPSU put out a plan on district allowances under this regional prices index, which is also a good document. Representatives of the CPSU attended the National Party’s conference in Kalgoorlie on the weekend. I welcomed their attendance. My commitment to CPSU is that the government is looking at its Housing our Workforce initiatives and also the CPSU claims about district allowances. Mr F.M. Logan : You put your support in writing in a letter! You committed yourself. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I know. Mr F.M. Logan : They want you to deliver. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : What am I going to deliver? Members opposite say that I deliver too often! They are sick of me delivering; they tell me to stop delivering! Do members opposite want me to deliver or not? Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
(1) When will the minister deliver on his promise? (2) Has the Treasurer made a budget allocation to enable increased district allowances to be delivered to regional workers? (3) Is the direct allowance subject to the new wages policy announced by the Treasurer? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the minister—the member for North West for his question. The member is a long way from being a minister; he has to do something if he wants to be a minister! I am very happy to refer to that meeting that was held in the hullabaloo of the election campaign. At that time the member was the endorsed Labor candidate for the seat of North West, and he came along to a meeting attended by approximately 100 or so government employees across all different departments. The police and employees in the prisons service were represented in large numbers, given the location of the Roebourne prison. The union put on the table the findings of a regional prices index survey that showed the extra costs of living in regional Western Australia. Members of the CPSU believed that issue needed to be addressed to ensure a level of equity between someone who takes a job in the government sector in the metropolitan area and someone who works in the Pilbara or in the Kimberley. A lot of detailed modelling was done on that, which indicated, as we all know, that it is more expensive to live and work in those regions and that existing incentives do not go far enough in addressing that anomaly. The interesting aspect of that meeting was that the nominated Labor candidate for North West did not say anything! That is another example of nothing being done. I was very happy to receive that information. The National Party made commitments under its Housing our Workers policy to develop a policy of rent incentives to government employees in regional areas not only to encourage them to go to regional areas, but also to provide incentives to stay for a longer period. That was the policy that the National Party had launched. Close to the election, the CPSU put out a plan on district allowances under this regional prices index, which is also a good document. Representatives of the CPSU attended the National Party’s conference in Kalgoorlie on the weekend. I welcomed their attendance. My commitment to CPSU is that the government is looking at its Housing our Workforce initiatives and also the CPSU claims about district allowances. Mr F.M. Logan : You put your support in writing in a letter! You committed yourself. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I know. Mr F.M. Logan : They want you to deliver. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : What am I going to deliver? Members opposite say that I deliver too often! They are sick of me delivering; they tell me to stop delivering! Do members opposite want me to deliver or not? Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
(2) Has the Treasurer made a budget allocation to enable increased district allowances to be delivered to regional workers? (3) Is the direct allowance subject to the new wages policy announced by the Treasurer? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the minister—the member for North West for his question. The member is a long way from being a minister; he has to do something if he wants to be a minister! I am very happy to refer to that meeting that was held in the hullabaloo of the election campaign. At that time the member was the endorsed Labor candidate for the seat of North West, and he came along to a meeting attended by approximately 100 or so government employees across all different departments. The police and employees in the prisons service were represented in large numbers, given the location of the Roebourne prison. The union put on the table the findings of a regional prices index survey that showed the extra costs of living in regional Western Australia. Members of the CPSU believed that issue needed to be addressed to ensure a level of equity between someone who takes a job in the government sector in the metropolitan area and someone who works in the Pilbara or in the Kimberley. A lot of detailed modelling was done on that, which indicated, as we all know, that it is more expensive to live and work in those regions and that existing incentives do not go far enough in addressing that anomaly. The interesting aspect of that meeting was that the nominated Labor candidate for North West did not say anything! That is another example of nothing being done. I was very happy to receive that information. The National Party made commitments under its Housing our Workers policy to develop a policy of rent incentives to government employees in regional areas not only to encourage them to go to regional areas, but also to provide incentives to stay for a longer period. That was the policy that the National Party had launched. Close to the election, the CPSU put out a plan on district allowances under this regional prices index, which is also a good document. Representatives of the CPSU attended the National Party’s conference in Kalgoorlie on the weekend. I welcomed their attendance. My commitment to CPSU is that the government is looking at its Housing our Workforce initiatives and also the CPSU claims about district allowances. Mr F.M. Logan : You put your support in writing in a letter! You committed yourself. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I know. Mr F.M. Logan : They want you to deliver. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : What am I going to deliver? Members opposite say that I deliver too often! They are sick of me delivering; they tell me to stop delivering! Do members opposite want me to deliver or not? Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
(3) Is the direct allowance subject to the new wages policy announced by the Treasurer? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the minister—the member for North West for his question. The member is a long way from being a minister; he has to do something if he wants to be a minister! I am very happy to refer to that meeting that was held in the hullabaloo of the election campaign. At that time the member was the endorsed Labor candidate for the seat of North West, and he came along to a meeting attended by approximately 100 or so government employees across all different departments. The police and employees in the prisons service were represented in large numbers, given the location of the Roebourne prison. The union put on the table the findings of a regional prices index survey that showed the extra costs of living in regional Western Australia. Members of the CPSU believed that issue needed to be addressed to ensure a level of equity between someone who takes a job in the government sector in the metropolitan area and someone who works in the Pilbara or in the Kimberley. A lot of detailed modelling was done on that, which indicated, as we all know, that it is more expensive to live and work in those regions and that existing incentives do not go far enough in addressing that anomaly. The interesting aspect of that meeting was that the nominated Labor candidate for North West did not say anything! That is another example of nothing being done. I was very happy to receive that information. The National Party made commitments under its Housing our Workers policy to develop a policy of rent incentives to government employees in regional areas not only to encourage them to go to regional areas, but also to provide incentives to stay for a longer period. That was the policy that the National Party had launched. Close to the election, the CPSU put out a plan on district allowances under this regional prices index, which is also a good document. Representatives of the CPSU attended the National Party’s conference in Kalgoorlie on the weekend. I welcomed their attendance. My commitment to CPSU is that the government is looking at its Housing our Workforce initiatives and also the CPSU claims about district allowances. Mr F.M. Logan : You put your support in writing in a letter! You committed yourself. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I know. Mr F.M. Logan : They want you to deliver. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : What am I going to deliver? Members opposite say that I deliver too often! They are sick of me delivering; they tell me to stop delivering! Do members opposite want me to deliver or not? Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: (1)-(3) I thank the minister—the member for North West for his question. The member is a long way from being a minister; he has to do something if he wants to be a minister! I am very happy to refer to that meeting that was held in the hullabaloo of the election campaign. At that time the member was the endorsed Labor candidate for the seat of North West, and he came along to a meeting attended by approximately 100 or so government employees across all different departments. The police and employees in the prisons service were represented in large numbers, given the location of the Roebourne prison. The union put on the table the findings of a regional prices index survey that showed the extra costs of living in regional Western Australia. Members of the CPSU believed that issue needed to be addressed to ensure a level of equity between someone who takes a job in the government sector in the metropolitan area and someone who works in the Pilbara or in the Kimberley. A lot of detailed modelling was done on that, which indicated, as we all know, that it is more expensive to live and work in those regions and that existing incentives do not go far enough in addressing that anomaly. The interesting aspect of that meeting was that the nominated Labor candidate for North West did not say anything! That is another example of nothing being done. I was very happy to receive that information. The National Party made commitments under its Housing our Workers policy to develop a policy of rent incentives to government employees in regional areas not only to encourage them to go to regional areas, but also to provide incentives to stay for a longer period. That was the policy that the National Party had launched. Close to the election, the CPSU put out a plan on district allowances under this regional prices index, which is also a good document. Representatives of the CPSU attended the National Party’s conference in Kalgoorlie on the weekend. I welcomed their attendance. My commitment to CPSU is that the government is looking at its Housing our Workforce initiatives and also the CPSU claims about district allowances. Mr F.M. Logan : You put your support in writing in a letter! You committed yourself. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I know. Mr F.M. Logan : They want you to deliver. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : What am I going to deliver? Members opposite say that I deliver too often! They are sick of me delivering; they tell me to stop delivering! Do members opposite want me to deliver or not? Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
(1)-(3) I thank the minister—the member for North West for his question. The member is a long way from being a minister; he has to do something if he wants to be a minister! I am very happy to refer to that meeting that was held in the hullabaloo of the election campaign. At that time the member was the endorsed Labor candidate for the seat of North West, and he came along to a meeting attended by approximately 100 or so government employees across all different departments. The police and employees in the prisons service were represented in large numbers, given the location of the Roebourne prison. The union put on the table the findings of a regional prices index survey that showed the extra costs of living in regional Western Australia. Members of the CPSU believed that issue needed to be addressed to ensure a level of equity between someone who takes a job in the government sector in the metropolitan area and someone who works in the Pilbara or in the Kimberley. A lot of detailed modelling was done on that, which indicated, as we all know, that it is more expensive to live and work in those regions and that existing incentives do not go far enough in addressing that anomaly. The interesting aspect of that meeting was that the nominated Labor candidate for North West did not say anything! That is another example of nothing being done. I was very happy to receive that information. The National Party made commitments under its Housing our Workers policy to develop a policy of rent incentives to government employees in regional areas not only to encourage them to go to regional areas, but also to provide incentives to stay for a longer period. That was the policy that the National Party had launched. Close to the election, the CPSU put out a plan on district allowances under this regional prices index, which is also a good document. Representatives of the CPSU attended the National Party’s conference in Kalgoorlie on the weekend. I welcomed their attendance. My commitment to CPSU is that the government is looking at its Housing our Workforce initiatives and also the CPSU claims about district allowances. Mr F.M. Logan : You put your support in writing in a letter! You committed yourself. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I know. Mr F.M. Logan : They want you to deliver. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : What am I going to deliver? Members opposite say that I deliver too often! They are sick of me delivering; they tell me to stop delivering! Do members opposite want me to deliver or not? Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
The interesting aspect of that meeting was that the nominated Labor candidate for North West did not say anything! That is another example of nothing being done. I was very happy to receive that information. The National Party made commitments under its Housing our Workers policy to develop a policy of rent incentives to government employees in regional areas not only to encourage them to go to regional areas, but also to provide incentives to stay for a longer period. That was the policy that the National Party had launched. Close to the election, the CPSU put out a plan on district allowances under this regional prices index, which is also a good document. Representatives of the CPSU attended the National Party’s conference in Kalgoorlie on the weekend. I welcomed their attendance. My commitment to CPSU is that the government is looking at its Housing our Workforce initiatives and also the CPSU claims about district allowances.
Close to the election, the CPSU put out a plan on district allowances under this regional prices index, which is also a good document. Representatives of the CPSU attended the National Party’s conference in Kalgoorlie on the weekend. I welcomed their attendance. My commitment to CPSU is that the government is looking at its Housing our Workforce initiatives and also the CPSU claims about district allowances.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I know. Mr F.M. Logan : They want you to deliver. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : What am I going to deliver? Members opposite say that I deliver too often! They are sick of me delivering; they tell me to stop delivering! Do members opposite want me to deliver or not? Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
Mr F.M. Logan : They want you to deliver. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : What am I going to deliver? Members opposite say that I deliver too often! They are sick of me delivering; they tell me to stop delivering! Do members opposite want me to deliver or not? Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : What am I going to deliver? Members opposite say that I deliver too often! They are sick of me delivering; they tell me to stop delivering! Do members opposite want me to deliver or not? Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
Mr F.M. Logan interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
The SPEAKER : Order! Member for Cockburn, it is not your question, and although I appreciate good theatre, now is not the time for it. I call you formally for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for Cockburn has raised a very interesting point, and I would like some quiet in the house so I can answer this question. Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
Several members interjected. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Are members happy — The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
The SPEAKER : Order! One of the things I want to happen in this place is efficient answering of questions. By inviting members on the other side to respond, that does not help us at all. I urge the minister to conclude this question. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member for North West asked about the CPSU and district allowances. My answer is that the Treasurer and I are working on district allowances and rent incentives as part of the process to attract and retain workers in regional areas. One thing the royalties for regions program has done is put $200 million into housing for those workers whom we are talking about—400-plus brand-new houses; quality housing, so that they can work and live in regional Western Australia. That is what the royalties for regions program will deliver. Let us contrast that with the last four years of the former government. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
The SPEAKER : Order! Minister, I am sure you are looking forward to Easter, as we all are. I have asked you to come to a rapid conclusion on this particular question. While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
While I am on my feet, I formally call the member for Girrawheen and the member for Mandurah for the first time. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Liberal-National government is building 400 or more new houses. The previous government told those people to live in caravans.
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Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.