❓ Question regarding assistance provided to local governments for reform, and criticism thereof. Minister defends the funding and accuses the opposition of hypocrisy.
AnsweredQoN 252Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM AGENDA — ASSISTANCE
I refer the minister to his recently announced local government reform agenda. (1) What assistance is being made available to the state’s 139 local governments to assist them in the reform process? (2) Is the minister aware of any criticism about this assistance; and, if so, will the minister please outline to the house the origins of such criticism? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI
I refer the minister to his recently announced local government reform agenda. (1) What assistance is being made available to the state’s 139 local governments to assist them in the reform process? (2) Is the minister aware of any criticism about this assistance; and, if so, will the minister please outline to the house the origins of such criticism? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for his interest in local government and in reform proposals. (1)-(2) At the weekend I announced a package of measures to assist all 139 local governments across Western Australia in their initial phase of the reform program. An initial amount of $10 000 will be made available to assist each local government to prepare its reform submission, which is due to be submitted to me by the end of August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members to my left might not be necessarily interested in the answer that the minister is giving, but I urge them to listen in silence. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : The source of funding is $1 million from the royalties for regions country local government fund, which has been approved, and $900 000 under the Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform program, which was established by the former government. That financial assistance can be used by councils in ways that contribute to the preparation of their submissions. That includes engaging consultants and facilitators. At my request, the Department of Local Government and Regional Development has also developed a sector support strategy, which provides additional resources to local government in the form of departmental officers to give advice and support. Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : The minister is just reading that verbatim. The SPEAKER : My observation, member for Albany, is that the minister has some notes that he looks at. I urge the minister to continue. There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
(1) What assistance is being made available to the state’s 139 local governments to assist them in the reform process? (2) Is the minister aware of any criticism about this assistance; and, if so, will the minister please outline to the house the origins of such criticism? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI replied: I thank the member for his interest in local government and in reform proposals. (1)-(2) At the weekend I announced a package of measures to assist all 139 local governments across Western Australia in their initial phase of the reform program. An initial amount of $10 000 will be made available to assist each local government to prepare its reform submission, which is due to be submitted to me by the end of August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members to my left might not be necessarily interested in the answer that the minister is giving, but I urge them to listen in silence. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : The source of funding is $1 million from the royalties for regions country local government fund, which has been approved, and $900 000 under the Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform program, which was established by the former government. That financial assistance can be used by councils in ways that contribute to the preparation of their submissions. That includes engaging consultants and facilitators. At my request, the Department of Local Government and Regional Development has also developed a sector support strategy, which provides additional resources to local government in the form of departmental officers to give advice and support. Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : The minister is just reading that verbatim. The SPEAKER : My observation, member for Albany, is that the minister has some notes that he looks at. I urge the minister to continue. There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
(2) Is the minister aware of any criticism about this assistance; and, if so, will the minister please outline to the house the origins of such criticism? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI replied: I thank the member for his interest in local government and in reform proposals. (1)-(2) At the weekend I announced a package of measures to assist all 139 local governments across Western Australia in their initial phase of the reform program. An initial amount of $10 000 will be made available to assist each local government to prepare its reform submission, which is due to be submitted to me by the end of August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members to my left might not be necessarily interested in the answer that the minister is giving, but I urge them to listen in silence. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : The source of funding is $1 million from the royalties for regions country local government fund, which has been approved, and $900 000 under the Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform program, which was established by the former government. That financial assistance can be used by councils in ways that contribute to the preparation of their submissions. That includes engaging consultants and facilitators. At my request, the Department of Local Government and Regional Development has also developed a sector support strategy, which provides additional resources to local government in the form of departmental officers to give advice and support. Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : The minister is just reading that verbatim. The SPEAKER : My observation, member for Albany, is that the minister has some notes that he looks at. I urge the minister to continue. There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
Mr G.M. CASTRILLI replied: I thank the member for his interest in local government and in reform proposals. (1)-(2) At the weekend I announced a package of measures to assist all 139 local governments across Western Australia in their initial phase of the reform program. An initial amount of $10 000 will be made available to assist each local government to prepare its reform submission, which is due to be submitted to me by the end of August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members to my left might not be necessarily interested in the answer that the minister is giving, but I urge them to listen in silence. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : The source of funding is $1 million from the royalties for regions country local government fund, which has been approved, and $900 000 under the Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform program, which was established by the former government. That financial assistance can be used by councils in ways that contribute to the preparation of their submissions. That includes engaging consultants and facilitators. At my request, the Department of Local Government and Regional Development has also developed a sector support strategy, which provides additional resources to local government in the form of departmental officers to give advice and support. Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : The minister is just reading that verbatim. The SPEAKER : My observation, member for Albany, is that the minister has some notes that he looks at. I urge the minister to continue. There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
I thank the member for his interest in local government and in reform proposals. (1)-(2) At the weekend I announced a package of measures to assist all 139 local governments across Western Australia in their initial phase of the reform program. An initial amount of $10 000 will be made available to assist each local government to prepare its reform submission, which is due to be submitted to me by the end of August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members to my left might not be necessarily interested in the answer that the minister is giving, but I urge them to listen in silence. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : The source of funding is $1 million from the royalties for regions country local government fund, which has been approved, and $900 000 under the Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform program, which was established by the former government. That financial assistance can be used by councils in ways that contribute to the preparation of their submissions. That includes engaging consultants and facilitators. At my request, the Department of Local Government and Regional Development has also developed a sector support strategy, which provides additional resources to local government in the form of departmental officers to give advice and support. Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : The minister is just reading that verbatim. The SPEAKER : My observation, member for Albany, is that the minister has some notes that he looks at. I urge the minister to continue. There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
(1)-(2) At the weekend I announced a package of measures to assist all 139 local governments across Western Australia in their initial phase of the reform program. An initial amount of $10 000 will be made available to assist each local government to prepare its reform submission, which is due to be submitted to me by the end of August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members to my left might not be necessarily interested in the answer that the minister is giving, but I urge them to listen in silence. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : The source of funding is $1 million from the royalties for regions country local government fund, which has been approved, and $900 000 under the Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform program, which was established by the former government. That financial assistance can be used by councils in ways that contribute to the preparation of their submissions. That includes engaging consultants and facilitators. At my request, the Department of Local Government and Regional Development has also developed a sector support strategy, which provides additional resources to local government in the form of departmental officers to give advice and support. Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : The minister is just reading that verbatim. The SPEAKER : My observation, member for Albany, is that the minister has some notes that he looks at. I urge the minister to continue. There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members to my left might not be necessarily interested in the answer that the minister is giving, but I urge them to listen in silence. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : The source of funding is $1 million from the royalties for regions country local government fund, which has been approved, and $900 000 under the Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform program, which was established by the former government. That financial assistance can be used by councils in ways that contribute to the preparation of their submissions. That includes engaging consultants and facilitators. At my request, the Department of Local Government and Regional Development has also developed a sector support strategy, which provides additional resources to local government in the form of departmental officers to give advice and support. Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : The minister is just reading that verbatim. The SPEAKER : My observation, member for Albany, is that the minister has some notes that he looks at. I urge the minister to continue. There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
The SPEAKER : Members to my left might not be necessarily interested in the answer that the minister is giving, but I urge them to listen in silence. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : The source of funding is $1 million from the royalties for regions country local government fund, which has been approved, and $900 000 under the Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform program, which was established by the former government. That financial assistance can be used by councils in ways that contribute to the preparation of their submissions. That includes engaging consultants and facilitators. At my request, the Department of Local Government and Regional Development has also developed a sector support strategy, which provides additional resources to local government in the form of departmental officers to give advice and support. Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : The minister is just reading that verbatim. The SPEAKER : My observation, member for Albany, is that the minister has some notes that he looks at. I urge the minister to continue. There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : The source of funding is $1 million from the royalties for regions country local government fund, which has been approved, and $900 000 under the Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform program, which was established by the former government. That financial assistance can be used by councils in ways that contribute to the preparation of their submissions. That includes engaging consultants and facilitators. At my request, the Department of Local Government and Regional Development has also developed a sector support strategy, which provides additional resources to local government in the form of departmental officers to give advice and support. Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : The minister is just reading that verbatim. The SPEAKER : My observation, member for Albany, is that the minister has some notes that he looks at. I urge the minister to continue. There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
The SPEAKER : My observation, member for Albany, is that the minister has some notes that he looks at. I urge the minister to continue. There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
(1) What assistance is being made available to the state’s 139 local governments to assist them in the reform process? (2) Is the minister aware of any criticism about this assistance; and, if so, will the minister please outline to the house the origins of such criticism? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI replied: I thank the member for his interest in local government and in reform proposals. (1)-(2) At the weekend I announced a package of measures to assist all 139 local governments across Western Australia in their initial phase of the reform program. An initial amount of $10 000 will be made available to assist each local government to prepare its reform submission, which is due to be submitted to me by the end of August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members to my left might not be necessarily interested in the answer that the minister is giving, but I urge them to listen in silence. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : The source of funding is $1 million from the royalties for regions country local government fund, which has been approved, and $900 000 under the Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform program, which was established by the former government. That financial assistance can be used by councils in ways that contribute to the preparation of their submissions. That includes engaging consultants and facilitators. At my request, the Department of Local Government and Regional Development has also developed a sector support strategy, which provides additional resources to local government in the form of departmental officers to give advice and support. Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : The minister is just reading that verbatim. The SPEAKER : My observation, member for Albany, is that the minister has some notes that he looks at. I urge the minister to continue. There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
(2) Is the minister aware of any criticism about this assistance; and, if so, will the minister please outline to the house the origins of such criticism? Mr G.M. CASTRILLI replied: I thank the member for his interest in local government and in reform proposals. (1)-(2) At the weekend I announced a package of measures to assist all 139 local governments across Western Australia in their initial phase of the reform program. An initial amount of $10 000 will be made available to assist each local government to prepare its reform submission, which is due to be submitted to me by the end of August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members to my left might not be necessarily interested in the answer that the minister is giving, but I urge them to listen in silence. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : The source of funding is $1 million from the royalties for regions country local government fund, which has been approved, and $900 000 under the Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform program, which was established by the former government. That financial assistance can be used by councils in ways that contribute to the preparation of their submissions. That includes engaging consultants and facilitators. At my request, the Department of Local Government and Regional Development has also developed a sector support strategy, which provides additional resources to local government in the form of departmental officers to give advice and support. Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : The minister is just reading that verbatim. The SPEAKER : My observation, member for Albany, is that the minister has some notes that he looks at. I urge the minister to continue. There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
Mr G.M. CASTRILLI replied: I thank the member for his interest in local government and in reform proposals. (1)-(2) At the weekend I announced a package of measures to assist all 139 local governments across Western Australia in their initial phase of the reform program. An initial amount of $10 000 will be made available to assist each local government to prepare its reform submission, which is due to be submitted to me by the end of August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members to my left might not be necessarily interested in the answer that the minister is giving, but I urge them to listen in silence. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : The source of funding is $1 million from the royalties for regions country local government fund, which has been approved, and $900 000 under the Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform program, which was established by the former government. That financial assistance can be used by councils in ways that contribute to the preparation of their submissions. That includes engaging consultants and facilitators. At my request, the Department of Local Government and Regional Development has also developed a sector support strategy, which provides additional resources to local government in the form of departmental officers to give advice and support. Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : The minister is just reading that verbatim. The SPEAKER : My observation, member for Albany, is that the minister has some notes that he looks at. I urge the minister to continue. There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
I thank the member for his interest in local government and in reform proposals. (1)-(2) At the weekend I announced a package of measures to assist all 139 local governments across Western Australia in their initial phase of the reform program. An initial amount of $10 000 will be made available to assist each local government to prepare its reform submission, which is due to be submitted to me by the end of August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members to my left might not be necessarily interested in the answer that the minister is giving, but I urge them to listen in silence. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : The source of funding is $1 million from the royalties for regions country local government fund, which has been approved, and $900 000 under the Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform program, which was established by the former government. That financial assistance can be used by councils in ways that contribute to the preparation of their submissions. That includes engaging consultants and facilitators. At my request, the Department of Local Government and Regional Development has also developed a sector support strategy, which provides additional resources to local government in the form of departmental officers to give advice and support. Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : The minister is just reading that verbatim. The SPEAKER : My observation, member for Albany, is that the minister has some notes that he looks at. I urge the minister to continue. There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
(1)-(2) At the weekend I announced a package of measures to assist all 139 local governments across Western Australia in their initial phase of the reform program. An initial amount of $10 000 will be made available to assist each local government to prepare its reform submission, which is due to be submitted to me by the end of August. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members to my left might not be necessarily interested in the answer that the minister is giving, but I urge them to listen in silence. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : The source of funding is $1 million from the royalties for regions country local government fund, which has been approved, and $900 000 under the Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform program, which was established by the former government. That financial assistance can be used by councils in ways that contribute to the preparation of their submissions. That includes engaging consultants and facilitators. At my request, the Department of Local Government and Regional Development has also developed a sector support strategy, which provides additional resources to local government in the form of departmental officers to give advice and support. Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : The minister is just reading that verbatim. The SPEAKER : My observation, member for Albany, is that the minister has some notes that he looks at. I urge the minister to continue. There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Members to my left might not be necessarily interested in the answer that the minister is giving, but I urge them to listen in silence. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : The source of funding is $1 million from the royalties for regions country local government fund, which has been approved, and $900 000 under the Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform program, which was established by the former government. That financial assistance can be used by councils in ways that contribute to the preparation of their submissions. That includes engaging consultants and facilitators. At my request, the Department of Local Government and Regional Development has also developed a sector support strategy, which provides additional resources to local government in the form of departmental officers to give advice and support. Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : The minister is just reading that verbatim. The SPEAKER : My observation, member for Albany, is that the minister has some notes that he looks at. I urge the minister to continue. There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
The SPEAKER : Members to my left might not be necessarily interested in the answer that the minister is giving, but I urge them to listen in silence. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : The source of funding is $1 million from the royalties for regions country local government fund, which has been approved, and $900 000 under the Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform program, which was established by the former government. That financial assistance can be used by councils in ways that contribute to the preparation of their submissions. That includes engaging consultants and facilitators. At my request, the Department of Local Government and Regional Development has also developed a sector support strategy, which provides additional resources to local government in the form of departmental officers to give advice and support. Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : The minister is just reading that verbatim. The SPEAKER : My observation, member for Albany, is that the minister has some notes that he looks at. I urge the minister to continue. There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : The source of funding is $1 million from the royalties for regions country local government fund, which has been approved, and $900 000 under the Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform program, which was established by the former government. That financial assistance can be used by councils in ways that contribute to the preparation of their submissions. That includes engaging consultants and facilitators. At my request, the Department of Local Government and Regional Development has also developed a sector support strategy, which provides additional resources to local government in the form of departmental officers to give advice and support. Point of Order Mr P.B. WATSON : The minister is just reading that verbatim. The SPEAKER : My observation, member for Albany, is that the minister has some notes that he looks at. I urge the minister to continue. There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
The SPEAKER : My observation, member for Albany, is that the minister has some notes that he looks at. I urge the minister to continue. There is no point of order. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Thank you, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
The SPEAKER : There was a point of order, and I have given a ruling. I do not want to hear any further interjections from the member for Albany. Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
Mr G.M. CASTRILLI : Specifically, some of those will include departmental officers attending local government meetings, zone meetings and forums, as well as the formation of a dedicated team that will assist local governments and the proactive identification of some local governments that need assistance, and also looking at a stakeholder communication strategy. I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
I was asked whether I had become aware of any criticism of the assistance package. I have become aware of such criticism, because The Sunday Times reported on the weekend that the opposition had said that it was a useless and wasteful exercise that would only line the pockets of consultants and legal experts, and the shadow spokesman was quoted as saying that the money will finance consultants and legal people, and is a complete diversion. What is becoming increasingly apparent is that the member for Warnbro will do anything and say anything that will halt this reform process. This is a very important initiative, and this money will be very well spent. For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
For the benefit of the member for Warnbro, I draw his attention to a policy of the former government called Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform. When I flicked through the “Connecting Local Governments and Structural Reform” document, I came across a portion that deals with grants for feasibility studies. This page outlines that the former government did not make $10 000 available for the reform process, but it made $50 000 available to examine the reform process. Why is it a waste of time, money and resources when the amount is $10 000, but when the amount is $50 000 it is not? When I flicked through the document, I came across the following: what can be funded? Grants may assist local governments with the cost of a consultant, new staff, other support services and associated administration costs. The shadow minister is out of touch. He is opposed to the government’s policy and he is opposed to his former government’s policy. He is out of touch with the Western Australian Local Government Association, and he is out of touch with his own party. I think the member is putting politics above people; that is what he is doing. The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
The SPEAKER : I formally call the member for North West and the member for Mandurah.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
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.