❓ The Treasurer defends the government's $1 billion tax relief package by contrasting it with the previous Liberal government's tax increases and budget deficits, highlighting the current government's improved economic management and successful negotiation with the Commonwealth Grants Commission.
AnsweredQoN 684Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Government’s $1 billion tax relief package, which I am sure will be welcomed by many homebuyers, small business and property owners, and ask: can the State afford it? Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
Listening to the Leader of the Opposition, one would think that the Court Government never raised taxes. Have a look at this 1998 headline in this newspaper I am holding up. This was published following a 12.5 increase in stamp duty. That man over there, who pontificates about tax, sat on a budget committee that authorised a 12.5 per cent increase in stamp duty. Moreover, it was not the only budget in which the Liberal Government did that. In five out of eight budgets it increased taxes, yet it still managed to run five budget deficits out of eight. The Premier’s tax package is well and truly fully costed and funded. Why can we do it? It is because the economy has improved so much since the time that man was in charge of it. When he was the Minister for State Development the economy got smaller. What a record for a Minister for State Development! What was his achievement? It was that the economy got smaller. Last year the economy grew by seven per cent. The previous Government was not able to get a better deal from the Commonwealth Grants Commission. Our Government went out on a limb. Western Australia aligned itself with New South Wales and Victoria and commissioned the Garnaut-Fitzgerald report and ran a big campaign. We finally got a measure of justice from the Commonwealth Grants Commission. That has also contributed to the Government’s ability to now offer tax relief to the people of Western Australia. I turn to what the finances were like when we came to power. The economy was getting smaller. Business investment was plummeting. The AAA credit rating was at risk. Government spending was out of control. Deficits were forecast and had been delivered. The health system, the education system and the Police Service were chronically underfunded. The coalition raised money in five budgets through tax increases - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: What did the coalition Government do with those funds? It built the belltower. How much did it then spend? It spent $140 000 on a party to launch the belltower. Did the previous Government ever reduce stamp duty rates? No, it never reduced stamp duty rates. Did it ever freeze household charges? No, they skyrocketed under the Liberals. In real terms, over four years households paid $296 extra for that basket of regular household charges imposed by the Government. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition continues to interject. He cannot stand to hear the truth. This does not fit with his airbrushed view of history. This Government has turned around the economy and the finances. It has invested in key community priorities. It has provided an extra $800 million for health, an extra $450 million for education and training, and an extra $160 million for the Police Service. It has slashed state debt. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: Listening to the Leader of the Opposition, one would think that the Court Government never raised taxes. Have a look at this 1998 headline in this newspaper I am holding up. This was published following a 12.5 increase in stamp duty. That man over there, who pontificates about tax, sat on a budget committee that authorised a 12.5 per cent increase in stamp duty. Moreover, it was not the only budget in which the Liberal Government did that. In five out of eight budgets it increased taxes, yet it still managed to run five budget deficits out of eight. The Premier’s tax package is well and truly fully costed and funded. Why can we do it? It is because the economy has improved so much since the time that man was in charge of it. When he was the Minister for State Development the economy got smaller. What a record for a Minister for State Development! What was his achievement? It was that the economy got smaller. Last year the economy grew by seven per cent. The previous Government was not able to get a better deal from the Commonwealth Grants Commission. Our Government went out on a limb. Western Australia aligned itself with New South Wales and Victoria and commissioned the Garnaut-Fitzgerald report and ran a big campaign. We finally got a measure of justice from the Commonwealth Grants Commission. That has also contributed to the Government’s ability to now offer tax relief to the people of Western Australia. I turn to what the finances were like when we came to power. The economy was getting smaller. Business investment was plummeting. The AAA credit rating was at risk. Government spending was out of control. Deficits were forecast and had been delivered. The health system, the education system and the Police Service were chronically underfunded. The coalition raised money in five budgets through tax increases - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: What did the coalition Government do with those funds? It built the belltower. How much did it then spend? It spent $140 000 on a party to launch the belltower. Did the previous Government ever reduce stamp duty rates? No, it never reduced stamp duty rates. Did it ever freeze household charges? No, they skyrocketed under the Liberals. In real terms, over four years households paid $296 extra for that basket of regular household charges imposed by the Government. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition continues to interject. He cannot stand to hear the truth. This does not fit with his airbrushed view of history. This Government has turned around the economy and the finances. It has invested in key community priorities. It has provided an extra $800 million for health, an extra $450 million for education and training, and an extra $160 million for the Police Service. It has slashed state debt. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
Listening to the Leader of the Opposition, one would think that the Court Government never raised taxes. Have a look at this 1998 headline in this newspaper I am holding up. This was published following a 12.5 increase in stamp duty. That man over there, who pontificates about tax, sat on a budget committee that authorised a 12.5 per cent increase in stamp duty. Moreover, it was not the only budget in which the Liberal Government did that. In five out of eight budgets it increased taxes, yet it still managed to run five budget deficits out of eight. The Premier’s tax package is well and truly fully costed and funded. Why can we do it? It is because the economy has improved so much since the time that man was in charge of it. When he was the Minister for State Development the economy got smaller. What a record for a Minister for State Development! What was his achievement? It was that the economy got smaller. Last year the economy grew by seven per cent. The previous Government was not able to get a better deal from the Commonwealth Grants Commission. Our Government went out on a limb. Western Australia aligned itself with New South Wales and Victoria and commissioned the Garnaut-Fitzgerald report and ran a big campaign. We finally got a measure of justice from the Commonwealth Grants Commission. That has also contributed to the Government’s ability to now offer tax relief to the people of Western Australia. I turn to what the finances were like when we came to power. The economy was getting smaller. Business investment was plummeting. The AAA credit rating was at risk. Government spending was out of control. Deficits were forecast and had been delivered. The health system, the education system and the Police Service were chronically underfunded. The coalition raised money in five budgets through tax increases - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: What did the coalition Government do with those funds? It built the belltower. How much did it then spend? It spent $140 000 on a party to launch the belltower. Did the previous Government ever reduce stamp duty rates? No, it never reduced stamp duty rates. Did it ever freeze household charges? No, they skyrocketed under the Liberals. In real terms, over four years households paid $296 extra for that basket of regular household charges imposed by the Government. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition continues to interject. He cannot stand to hear the truth. This does not fit with his airbrushed view of history. This Government has turned around the economy and the finances. It has invested in key community priorities. It has provided an extra $800 million for health, an extra $450 million for education and training, and an extra $160 million for the Police Service. It has slashed state debt. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
The Premier’s tax package is well and truly fully costed and funded. Why can we do it? It is because the economy has improved so much since the time that man was in charge of it. When he was the Minister for State Development the economy got smaller. What a record for a Minister for State Development! What was his achievement? It was that the economy got smaller. Last year the economy grew by seven per cent. The previous Government was not able to get a better deal from the Commonwealth Grants Commission. Our Government went out on a limb. Western Australia aligned itself with New South Wales and Victoria and commissioned the Garnaut-Fitzgerald report and ran a big campaign. We finally got a measure of justice from the Commonwealth Grants Commission. That has also contributed to the Government’s ability to now offer tax relief to the people of Western Australia. I turn to what the finances were like when we came to power. The economy was getting smaller. Business investment was plummeting. The AAA credit rating was at risk. Government spending was out of control. Deficits were forecast and had been delivered. The health system, the education system and the Police Service were chronically underfunded. The coalition raised money in five budgets through tax increases - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: What did the coalition Government do with those funds? It built the belltower. How much did it then spend? It spent $140 000 on a party to launch the belltower. Did the previous Government ever reduce stamp duty rates? No, it never reduced stamp duty rates. Did it ever freeze household charges? No, they skyrocketed under the Liberals. In real terms, over four years households paid $296 extra for that basket of regular household charges imposed by the Government. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition continues to interject. He cannot stand to hear the truth. This does not fit with his airbrushed view of history. This Government has turned around the economy and the finances. It has invested in key community priorities. It has provided an extra $800 million for health, an extra $450 million for education and training, and an extra $160 million for the Police Service. It has slashed state debt. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
I turn to what the finances were like when we came to power. The economy was getting smaller. Business investment was plummeting. The AAA credit rating was at risk. Government spending was out of control. Deficits were forecast and had been delivered. The health system, the education system and the Police Service were chronically underfunded. The coalition raised money in five budgets through tax increases - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: What did the coalition Government do with those funds? It built the belltower. How much did it then spend? It spent $140 000 on a party to launch the belltower. Did the previous Government ever reduce stamp duty rates? No, it never reduced stamp duty rates. Did it ever freeze household charges? No, they skyrocketed under the Liberals. In real terms, over four years households paid $296 extra for that basket of regular household charges imposed by the Government. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition continues to interject. He cannot stand to hear the truth. This does not fit with his airbrushed view of history. This Government has turned around the economy and the finances. It has invested in key community priorities. It has provided an extra $800 million for health, an extra $450 million for education and training, and an extra $160 million for the Police Service. It has slashed state debt. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: What did the coalition Government do with those funds? It built the belltower. How much did it then spend? It spent $140 000 on a party to launch the belltower. Did the previous Government ever reduce stamp duty rates? No, it never reduced stamp duty rates. Did it ever freeze household charges? No, they skyrocketed under the Liberals. In real terms, over four years households paid $296 extra for that basket of regular household charges imposed by the Government. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition continues to interject. He cannot stand to hear the truth. This does not fit with his airbrushed view of history. This Government has turned around the economy and the finances. It has invested in key community priorities. It has provided an extra $800 million for health, an extra $450 million for education and training, and an extra $160 million for the Police Service. It has slashed state debt. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: What did the coalition Government do with those funds? It built the belltower. How much did it then spend? It spent $140 000 on a party to launch the belltower. Did the previous Government ever reduce stamp duty rates? No, it never reduced stamp duty rates. Did it ever freeze household charges? No, they skyrocketed under the Liberals. In real terms, over four years households paid $296 extra for that basket of regular household charges imposed by the Government. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition continues to interject. He cannot stand to hear the truth. This does not fit with his airbrushed view of history. This Government has turned around the economy and the finances. It has invested in key community priorities. It has provided an extra $800 million for health, an extra $450 million for education and training, and an extra $160 million for the Police Service. It has slashed state debt. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: What did the coalition Government do with those funds? It built the belltower. How much did it then spend? It spent $140 000 on a party to launch the belltower. Did the previous Government ever reduce stamp duty rates? No, it never reduced stamp duty rates. Did it ever freeze household charges? No, they skyrocketed under the Liberals. In real terms, over four years households paid $296 extra for that basket of regular household charges imposed by the Government. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition continues to interject. He cannot stand to hear the truth. This does not fit with his airbrushed view of history. This Government has turned around the economy and the finances. It has invested in key community priorities. It has provided an extra $800 million for health, an extra $450 million for education and training, and an extra $160 million for the Police Service. It has slashed state debt. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition continues to interject. He cannot stand to hear the truth. This does not fit with his airbrushed view of history. This Government has turned around the economy and the finances. It has invested in key community priorities. It has provided an extra $800 million for health, an extra $450 million for education and training, and an extra $160 million for the Police Service. It has slashed state debt. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition continues to interject. He cannot stand to hear the truth. This does not fit with his airbrushed view of history. This Government has turned around the economy and the finances. It has invested in key community priorities. It has provided an extra $800 million for health, an extra $450 million for education and training, and an extra $160 million for the Police Service. It has slashed state debt. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition continues to interject. He cannot stand to hear the truth. This does not fit with his airbrushed view of history. This Government has turned around the economy and the finances. It has invested in key community priorities. It has provided an extra $800 million for health, an extra $450 million for education and training, and an extra $160 million for the Police Service. It has slashed state debt. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: Listening to the Leader of the Opposition, one would think that the Court Government never raised taxes. Have a look at this 1998 headline in this newspaper I am holding up. This was published following a 12.5 increase in stamp duty. That man over there, who pontificates about tax, sat on a budget committee that authorised a 12.5 per cent increase in stamp duty. Moreover, it was not the only budget in which the Liberal Government did that. In five out of eight budgets it increased taxes, yet it still managed to run five budget deficits out of eight. The Premier’s tax package is well and truly fully costed and funded. Why can we do it? It is because the economy has improved so much since the time that man was in charge of it. When he was the Minister for State Development the economy got smaller. What a record for a Minister for State Development! What was his achievement? It was that the economy got smaller. Last year the economy grew by seven per cent. The previous Government was not able to get a better deal from the Commonwealth Grants Commission. Our Government went out on a limb. Western Australia aligned itself with New South Wales and Victoria and commissioned the Garnaut-Fitzgerald report and ran a big campaign. We finally got a measure of justice from the Commonwealth Grants Commission. That has also contributed to the Government’s ability to now offer tax relief to the people of Western Australia. I turn to what the finances were like when we came to power. The economy was getting smaller. Business investment was plummeting. The AAA credit rating was at risk. Government spending was out of control. Deficits were forecast and had been delivered. The health system, the education system and the Police Service were chronically underfunded. The coalition raised money in five budgets through tax increases - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: What did the coalition Government do with those funds? It built the belltower. How much did it then spend? It spent $140 000 on a party to launch the belltower. Did the previous Government ever reduce stamp duty rates? No, it never reduced stamp duty rates. Did it ever freeze household charges? No, they skyrocketed under the Liberals. In real terms, over four years households paid $296 extra for that basket of regular household charges imposed by the Government. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition continues to interject. He cannot stand to hear the truth. This does not fit with his airbrushed view of history. This Government has turned around the economy and the finances. It has invested in key community priorities. It has provided an extra $800 million for health, an extra $450 million for education and training, and an extra $160 million for the Police Service. It has slashed state debt. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
Listening to the Leader of the Opposition, one would think that the Court Government never raised taxes. Have a look at this 1998 headline in this newspaper I am holding up. This was published following a 12.5 increase in stamp duty. That man over there, who pontificates about tax, sat on a budget committee that authorised a 12.5 per cent increase in stamp duty. Moreover, it was not the only budget in which the Liberal Government did that. In five out of eight budgets it increased taxes, yet it still managed to run five budget deficits out of eight. The Premier’s tax package is well and truly fully costed and funded. Why can we do it? It is because the economy has improved so much since the time that man was in charge of it. When he was the Minister for State Development the economy got smaller. What a record for a Minister for State Development! What was his achievement? It was that the economy got smaller. Last year the economy grew by seven per cent. The previous Government was not able to get a better deal from the Commonwealth Grants Commission. Our Government went out on a limb. Western Australia aligned itself with New South Wales and Victoria and commissioned the Garnaut-Fitzgerald report and ran a big campaign. We finally got a measure of justice from the Commonwealth Grants Commission. That has also contributed to the Government’s ability to now offer tax relief to the people of Western Australia. I turn to what the finances were like when we came to power. The economy was getting smaller. Business investment was plummeting. The AAA credit rating was at risk. Government spending was out of control. Deficits were forecast and had been delivered. The health system, the education system and the Police Service were chronically underfunded. The coalition raised money in five budgets through tax increases - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: What did the coalition Government do with those funds? It built the belltower. How much did it then spend? It spent $140 000 on a party to launch the belltower. Did the previous Government ever reduce stamp duty rates? No, it never reduced stamp duty rates. Did it ever freeze household charges? No, they skyrocketed under the Liberals. In real terms, over four years households paid $296 extra for that basket of regular household charges imposed by the Government. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition continues to interject. He cannot stand to hear the truth. This does not fit with his airbrushed view of history. This Government has turned around the economy and the finances. It has invested in key community priorities. It has provided an extra $800 million for health, an extra $450 million for education and training, and an extra $160 million for the Police Service. It has slashed state debt. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
The Premier’s tax package is well and truly fully costed and funded. Why can we do it? It is because the economy has improved so much since the time that man was in charge of it. When he was the Minister for State Development the economy got smaller. What a record for a Minister for State Development! What was his achievement? It was that the economy got smaller. Last year the economy grew by seven per cent. The previous Government was not able to get a better deal from the Commonwealth Grants Commission. Our Government went out on a limb. Western Australia aligned itself with New South Wales and Victoria and commissioned the Garnaut-Fitzgerald report and ran a big campaign. We finally got a measure of justice from the Commonwealth Grants Commission. That has also contributed to the Government’s ability to now offer tax relief to the people of Western Australia. I turn to what the finances were like when we came to power. The economy was getting smaller. Business investment was plummeting. The AAA credit rating was at risk. Government spending was out of control. Deficits were forecast and had been delivered. The health system, the education system and the Police Service were chronically underfunded. The coalition raised money in five budgets through tax increases - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: What did the coalition Government do with those funds? It built the belltower. How much did it then spend? It spent $140 000 on a party to launch the belltower. Did the previous Government ever reduce stamp duty rates? No, it never reduced stamp duty rates. Did it ever freeze household charges? No, they skyrocketed under the Liberals. In real terms, over four years households paid $296 extra for that basket of regular household charges imposed by the Government. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition continues to interject. He cannot stand to hear the truth. This does not fit with his airbrushed view of history. This Government has turned around the economy and the finances. It has invested in key community priorities. It has provided an extra $800 million for health, an extra $450 million for education and training, and an extra $160 million for the Police Service. It has slashed state debt. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
I turn to what the finances were like when we came to power. The economy was getting smaller. Business investment was plummeting. The AAA credit rating was at risk. Government spending was out of control. Deficits were forecast and had been delivered. The health system, the education system and the Police Service were chronically underfunded. The coalition raised money in five budgets through tax increases - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: What did the coalition Government do with those funds? It built the belltower. How much did it then spend? It spent $140 000 on a party to launch the belltower. Did the previous Government ever reduce stamp duty rates? No, it never reduced stamp duty rates. Did it ever freeze household charges? No, they skyrocketed under the Liberals. In real terms, over four years households paid $296 extra for that basket of regular household charges imposed by the Government. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition continues to interject. He cannot stand to hear the truth. This does not fit with his airbrushed view of history. This Government has turned around the economy and the finances. It has invested in key community priorities. It has provided an extra $800 million for health, an extra $450 million for education and training, and an extra $160 million for the Police Service. It has slashed state debt. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: What did the coalition Government do with those funds? It built the belltower. How much did it then spend? It spent $140 000 on a party to launch the belltower. Did the previous Government ever reduce stamp duty rates? No, it never reduced stamp duty rates. Did it ever freeze household charges? No, they skyrocketed under the Liberals. In real terms, over four years households paid $296 extra for that basket of regular household charges imposed by the Government. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition continues to interject. He cannot stand to hear the truth. This does not fit with his airbrushed view of history. This Government has turned around the economy and the finances. It has invested in key community priorities. It has provided an extra $800 million for health, an extra $450 million for education and training, and an extra $160 million for the Police Service. It has slashed state debt. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Warren-Blackwood to order for the first time. Mr E.S. RIPPER: What did the coalition Government do with those funds? It built the belltower. How much did it then spend? It spent $140 000 on a party to launch the belltower. Did the previous Government ever reduce stamp duty rates? No, it never reduced stamp duty rates. Did it ever freeze household charges? No, they skyrocketed under the Liberals. In real terms, over four years households paid $296 extra for that basket of regular household charges imposed by the Government. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition continues to interject. He cannot stand to hear the truth. This does not fit with his airbrushed view of history. This Government has turned around the economy and the finances. It has invested in key community priorities. It has provided an extra $800 million for health, an extra $450 million for education and training, and an extra $160 million for the Police Service. It has slashed state debt. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: What did the coalition Government do with those funds? It built the belltower. How much did it then spend? It spent $140 000 on a party to launch the belltower. Did the previous Government ever reduce stamp duty rates? No, it never reduced stamp duty rates. Did it ever freeze household charges? No, they skyrocketed under the Liberals. In real terms, over four years households paid $296 extra for that basket of regular household charges imposed by the Government. Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition continues to interject. He cannot stand to hear the truth. This does not fit with his airbrushed view of history. This Government has turned around the economy and the finances. It has invested in key community priorities. It has provided an extra $800 million for health, an extra $450 million for education and training, and an extra $160 million for the Police Service. It has slashed state debt. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition continues to interject. He cannot stand to hear the truth. This does not fit with his airbrushed view of history. This Government has turned around the economy and the finances. It has invested in key community priorities. It has provided an extra $800 million for health, an extra $450 million for education and training, and an extra $160 million for the Police Service. It has slashed state debt. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
The SPEAKER: Order, Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition continues to interject. He cannot stand to hear the truth. This does not fit with his airbrushed view of history. This Government has turned around the economy and the finances. It has invested in key community priorities. It has provided an extra $800 million for health, an extra $450 million for education and training, and an extra $160 million for the Police Service. It has slashed state debt. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition continues to interject. He cannot stand to hear the truth. This does not fit with his airbrushed view of history. This Government has turned around the economy and the finances. It has invested in key community priorities. It has provided an extra $800 million for health, an extra $450 million for education and training, and an extra $160 million for the Police Service. It has slashed state debt. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
The SPEAKER: I call the members for Nedlands and Warren-Blackwood to order. I also warn the Leader of the National Party that he has been called to order three times. I urge him to not get thrown out of this place. Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: It is interesting that when I talk about increases in expenditure for health, education, and law and order, the Leader of the Opposition interjects and says, “What a fool.” That shows his approach to politics, his level of intellect and his level of care for those key community priorities. He said that the Government would sink in a sea of debt. The level of debt is lower now than when we were elected. It is because of the Government’s management of finances, the strength of the economy and the Government’s victory in the Commonwealth Grants Commission that the Government can now afford to deliver tax relief to Western Australians as an investment in jobs and economic growth. That has enabled this Government to do something that the Leader of the Opposition could not do when he was Minister for State Development. I will do an unusual thing, especially for Mr Taylor; that is, I will agree with some comments made in an editorial in The West Australian . Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: I am sorry, Premier! I am forced to agree with it. Today’s editorial states - The onus is on Mr Barnett to come up with comprehensive alternative policies for economic management, including details of the coalition’s proposals for tax rates. I second the motion! It is about time. The Leader of the Opposition has made a promise to every person over the past three years. He has no credible financial plan, no costings and no plan to pay for those promises. He will not commit to balanced budgets. Why would he? He presided over five deficits out of eight budgets. He will not rule out privatising government power stations or increasing household fees and charges beyond the inflation rate. This man is on the record as saying that he does not believe in forward estimates. That shows his respect for the way in which finances should be managed. He has not learnt from the coalition’s last period in office. He has not learnt that Western Australian families value jobs. He has not learnt that it is important to keep household fees and charges below the rate of inflation; that is, electricity and water charges, public transport fares and motor vehicle licences. In short, this man who purports to lead the alternative Government is both an economic and a financial risk to this State.
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