❓ The Treasurer announces the 2008-09 State Budget date and outlines key investment areas, including infrastructure, health, and education, while acknowledging financial challenges like GST decline and rising costs. He emphasizes the government's commitment to using the surplus for future development.
AnsweredQoN 122Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
STATE BUDGET 2008-09
Can the Treasurer confirm the date of the budget and give us the ups on what we are looking at? Several members interjected. Mr T. Buswell : You’ve only asked half the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER
Can the Treasurer confirm the date of the budget and give us the ups on what we are looking at? Several members interjected. Mr T. Buswell : You’ve only asked half the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
Mr Speaker, I did not hear the second half of the question. Several members interjected. Mrs C.A. Martin : Can you give us the ups on the broader themes of what we will get in the budget? Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is an excellent question. I can confirm that the budget will be handed down on Thursday, 8 May. I will not give the detail of the budget ahead of Thursday, 8 May. However, I can tell members this about the budget: the government will be using the proceeds of this state’s prosperity to invest heavily in this state’s future through its infrastructure program. The government’s infrastructure program will be designed to, firstly, support future economic growth in this state and, secondly, support future delivery of services. The government was elected to provide good services in health, education, law and order, disability services and environmental protection, and those services will be well-funded in the budget—more generously funded than they are in other states. I will give members an example of some of the infrastructure that will be funded. The government has already fully funded and delivered the New MetroRail project; it is absolutely debt free. It will provide funding in the budget for the $1.8 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital, $1.1 billion for an outdoor stadium, $955 million for a desalination plant, $631 million for the Perth-Bunbury highway, $506 million for a new museum, $335 million for the proposed Perth Arena, $300 million for the proposed Perth waterfront project, $181 million for the proposed Swan Health Campus and $49 million for the proposed Albany Entertainment Centre. I have named a small selection of what this government will be funding in a massive infrastructure program to set this state up for the future by using the proceeds of its economic performance. That economic performance is one of the very positive features of the context in which the government frames the budget. However, there are other features that are not so positive; for example, this state’s declining share of goods and services tax—reducing to 5.8 per cent at the end of the forward estimates—that will take $6 billion from the state’s finances. Like other proponents, this government is also experiencing rapid growth in the cost of its capital works program. It is also experiencing serious wages pressures to provide fair and generous wages settlements to police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and other important key deliverers of services. It will spend $2.4 billion over the forward estimates on additional wages, compared with where it was in the 2007-08 budget. Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
Several members interjected. Mr T. Buswell : You’ve only asked half the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: Mr Speaker, I did not hear the second half of the question. Several members interjected. Mrs C.A. Martin : Can you give us the ups on the broader themes of what we will get in the budget? Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is an excellent question. I can confirm that the budget will be handed down on Thursday, 8 May. I will not give the detail of the budget ahead of Thursday, 8 May. However, I can tell members this about the budget: the government will be using the proceeds of this state’s prosperity to invest heavily in this state’s future through its infrastructure program. The government’s infrastructure program will be designed to, firstly, support future economic growth in this state and, secondly, support future delivery of services. The government was elected to provide good services in health, education, law and order, disability services and environmental protection, and those services will be well-funded in the budget—more generously funded than they are in other states. I will give members an example of some of the infrastructure that will be funded. The government has already fully funded and delivered the New MetroRail project; it is absolutely debt free. It will provide funding in the budget for the $1.8 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital, $1.1 billion for an outdoor stadium, $955 million for a desalination plant, $631 million for the Perth-Bunbury highway, $506 million for a new museum, $335 million for the proposed Perth Arena, $300 million for the proposed Perth waterfront project, $181 million for the proposed Swan Health Campus and $49 million for the proposed Albany Entertainment Centre. I have named a small selection of what this government will be funding in a massive infrastructure program to set this state up for the future by using the proceeds of its economic performance. That economic performance is one of the very positive features of the context in which the government frames the budget. However, there are other features that are not so positive; for example, this state’s declining share of goods and services tax—reducing to 5.8 per cent at the end of the forward estimates—that will take $6 billion from the state’s finances. Like other proponents, this government is also experiencing rapid growth in the cost of its capital works program. It is also experiencing serious wages pressures to provide fair and generous wages settlements to police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and other important key deliverers of services. It will spend $2.4 billion over the forward estimates on additional wages, compared with where it was in the 2007-08 budget. Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
Mr T. Buswell : You’ve only asked half the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: Mr Speaker, I did not hear the second half of the question. Several members interjected. Mrs C.A. Martin : Can you give us the ups on the broader themes of what we will get in the budget? Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is an excellent question. I can confirm that the budget will be handed down on Thursday, 8 May. I will not give the detail of the budget ahead of Thursday, 8 May. However, I can tell members this about the budget: the government will be using the proceeds of this state’s prosperity to invest heavily in this state’s future through its infrastructure program. The government’s infrastructure program will be designed to, firstly, support future economic growth in this state and, secondly, support future delivery of services. The government was elected to provide good services in health, education, law and order, disability services and environmental protection, and those services will be well-funded in the budget—more generously funded than they are in other states. I will give members an example of some of the infrastructure that will be funded. The government has already fully funded and delivered the New MetroRail project; it is absolutely debt free. It will provide funding in the budget for the $1.8 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital, $1.1 billion for an outdoor stadium, $955 million for a desalination plant, $631 million for the Perth-Bunbury highway, $506 million for a new museum, $335 million for the proposed Perth Arena, $300 million for the proposed Perth waterfront project, $181 million for the proposed Swan Health Campus and $49 million for the proposed Albany Entertainment Centre. I have named a small selection of what this government will be funding in a massive infrastructure program to set this state up for the future by using the proceeds of its economic performance. That economic performance is one of the very positive features of the context in which the government frames the budget. However, there are other features that are not so positive; for example, this state’s declining share of goods and services tax—reducing to 5.8 per cent at the end of the forward estimates—that will take $6 billion from the state’s finances. Like other proponents, this government is also experiencing rapid growth in the cost of its capital works program. It is also experiencing serious wages pressures to provide fair and generous wages settlements to police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and other important key deliverers of services. It will spend $2.4 billion over the forward estimates on additional wages, compared with where it was in the 2007-08 budget. Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: Mr Speaker, I did not hear the second half of the question. Several members interjected. Mrs C.A. Martin : Can you give us the ups on the broader themes of what we will get in the budget? Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is an excellent question. I can confirm that the budget will be handed down on Thursday, 8 May. I will not give the detail of the budget ahead of Thursday, 8 May. However, I can tell members this about the budget: the government will be using the proceeds of this state’s prosperity to invest heavily in this state’s future through its infrastructure program. The government’s infrastructure program will be designed to, firstly, support future economic growth in this state and, secondly, support future delivery of services. The government was elected to provide good services in health, education, law and order, disability services and environmental protection, and those services will be well-funded in the budget—more generously funded than they are in other states. I will give members an example of some of the infrastructure that will be funded. The government has already fully funded and delivered the New MetroRail project; it is absolutely debt free. It will provide funding in the budget for the $1.8 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital, $1.1 billion for an outdoor stadium, $955 million for a desalination plant, $631 million for the Perth-Bunbury highway, $506 million for a new museum, $335 million for the proposed Perth Arena, $300 million for the proposed Perth waterfront project, $181 million for the proposed Swan Health Campus and $49 million for the proposed Albany Entertainment Centre. I have named a small selection of what this government will be funding in a massive infrastructure program to set this state up for the future by using the proceeds of its economic performance. That economic performance is one of the very positive features of the context in which the government frames the budget. However, there are other features that are not so positive; for example, this state’s declining share of goods and services tax—reducing to 5.8 per cent at the end of the forward estimates—that will take $6 billion from the state’s finances. Like other proponents, this government is also experiencing rapid growth in the cost of its capital works program. It is also experiencing serious wages pressures to provide fair and generous wages settlements to police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and other important key deliverers of services. It will spend $2.4 billion over the forward estimates on additional wages, compared with where it was in the 2007-08 budget. Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: Mr Speaker, I did not hear the second half of the question. Several members interjected. Mrs C.A. Martin : Can you give us the ups on the broader themes of what we will get in the budget? Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is an excellent question. I can confirm that the budget will be handed down on Thursday, 8 May. I will not give the detail of the budget ahead of Thursday, 8 May. However, I can tell members this about the budget: the government will be using the proceeds of this state’s prosperity to invest heavily in this state’s future through its infrastructure program. The government’s infrastructure program will be designed to, firstly, support future economic growth in this state and, secondly, support future delivery of services. The government was elected to provide good services in health, education, law and order, disability services and environmental protection, and those services will be well-funded in the budget—more generously funded than they are in other states. I will give members an example of some of the infrastructure that will be funded. The government has already fully funded and delivered the New MetroRail project; it is absolutely debt free. It will provide funding in the budget for the $1.8 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital, $1.1 billion for an outdoor stadium, $955 million for a desalination plant, $631 million for the Perth-Bunbury highway, $506 million for a new museum, $335 million for the proposed Perth Arena, $300 million for the proposed Perth waterfront project, $181 million for the proposed Swan Health Campus and $49 million for the proposed Albany Entertainment Centre. I have named a small selection of what this government will be funding in a massive infrastructure program to set this state up for the future by using the proceeds of its economic performance. That economic performance is one of the very positive features of the context in which the government frames the budget. However, there are other features that are not so positive; for example, this state’s declining share of goods and services tax—reducing to 5.8 per cent at the end of the forward estimates—that will take $6 billion from the state’s finances. Like other proponents, this government is also experiencing rapid growth in the cost of its capital works program. It is also experiencing serious wages pressures to provide fair and generous wages settlements to police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and other important key deliverers of services. It will spend $2.4 billion over the forward estimates on additional wages, compared with where it was in the 2007-08 budget. Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
Mr Speaker, I did not hear the second half of the question. Several members interjected. Mrs C.A. Martin : Can you give us the ups on the broader themes of what we will get in the budget? Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is an excellent question. I can confirm that the budget will be handed down on Thursday, 8 May. I will not give the detail of the budget ahead of Thursday, 8 May. However, I can tell members this about the budget: the government will be using the proceeds of this state’s prosperity to invest heavily in this state’s future through its infrastructure program. The government’s infrastructure program will be designed to, firstly, support future economic growth in this state and, secondly, support future delivery of services. The government was elected to provide good services in health, education, law and order, disability services and environmental protection, and those services will be well-funded in the budget—more generously funded than they are in other states. I will give members an example of some of the infrastructure that will be funded. The government has already fully funded and delivered the New MetroRail project; it is absolutely debt free. It will provide funding in the budget for the $1.8 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital, $1.1 billion for an outdoor stadium, $955 million for a desalination plant, $631 million for the Perth-Bunbury highway, $506 million for a new museum, $335 million for the proposed Perth Arena, $300 million for the proposed Perth waterfront project, $181 million for the proposed Swan Health Campus and $49 million for the proposed Albany Entertainment Centre. I have named a small selection of what this government will be funding in a massive infrastructure program to set this state up for the future by using the proceeds of its economic performance. That economic performance is one of the very positive features of the context in which the government frames the budget. However, there are other features that are not so positive; for example, this state’s declining share of goods and services tax—reducing to 5.8 per cent at the end of the forward estimates—that will take $6 billion from the state’s finances. Like other proponents, this government is also experiencing rapid growth in the cost of its capital works program. It is also experiencing serious wages pressures to provide fair and generous wages settlements to police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and other important key deliverers of services. It will spend $2.4 billion over the forward estimates on additional wages, compared with where it was in the 2007-08 budget. Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
Several members interjected. Mrs C.A. Martin : Can you give us the ups on the broader themes of what we will get in the budget? Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is an excellent question. I can confirm that the budget will be handed down on Thursday, 8 May. I will not give the detail of the budget ahead of Thursday, 8 May. However, I can tell members this about the budget: the government will be using the proceeds of this state’s prosperity to invest heavily in this state’s future through its infrastructure program. The government’s infrastructure program will be designed to, firstly, support future economic growth in this state and, secondly, support future delivery of services. The government was elected to provide good services in health, education, law and order, disability services and environmental protection, and those services will be well-funded in the budget—more generously funded than they are in other states. I will give members an example of some of the infrastructure that will be funded. The government has already fully funded and delivered the New MetroRail project; it is absolutely debt free. It will provide funding in the budget for the $1.8 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital, $1.1 billion for an outdoor stadium, $955 million for a desalination plant, $631 million for the Perth-Bunbury highway, $506 million for a new museum, $335 million for the proposed Perth Arena, $300 million for the proposed Perth waterfront project, $181 million for the proposed Swan Health Campus and $49 million for the proposed Albany Entertainment Centre. I have named a small selection of what this government will be funding in a massive infrastructure program to set this state up for the future by using the proceeds of its economic performance. That economic performance is one of the very positive features of the context in which the government frames the budget. However, there are other features that are not so positive; for example, this state’s declining share of goods and services tax—reducing to 5.8 per cent at the end of the forward estimates—that will take $6 billion from the state’s finances. Like other proponents, this government is also experiencing rapid growth in the cost of its capital works program. It is also experiencing serious wages pressures to provide fair and generous wages settlements to police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and other important key deliverers of services. It will spend $2.4 billion over the forward estimates on additional wages, compared with where it was in the 2007-08 budget. Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
Mrs C.A. Martin : Can you give us the ups on the broader themes of what we will get in the budget? Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is an excellent question. I can confirm that the budget will be handed down on Thursday, 8 May. I will not give the detail of the budget ahead of Thursday, 8 May. However, I can tell members this about the budget: the government will be using the proceeds of this state’s prosperity to invest heavily in this state’s future through its infrastructure program. The government’s infrastructure program will be designed to, firstly, support future economic growth in this state and, secondly, support future delivery of services. The government was elected to provide good services in health, education, law and order, disability services and environmental protection, and those services will be well-funded in the budget—more generously funded than they are in other states. I will give members an example of some of the infrastructure that will be funded. The government has already fully funded and delivered the New MetroRail project; it is absolutely debt free. It will provide funding in the budget for the $1.8 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital, $1.1 billion for an outdoor stadium, $955 million for a desalination plant, $631 million for the Perth-Bunbury highway, $506 million for a new museum, $335 million for the proposed Perth Arena, $300 million for the proposed Perth waterfront project, $181 million for the proposed Swan Health Campus and $49 million for the proposed Albany Entertainment Centre. I have named a small selection of what this government will be funding in a massive infrastructure program to set this state up for the future by using the proceeds of its economic performance. That economic performance is one of the very positive features of the context in which the government frames the budget. However, there are other features that are not so positive; for example, this state’s declining share of goods and services tax—reducing to 5.8 per cent at the end of the forward estimates—that will take $6 billion from the state’s finances. Like other proponents, this government is also experiencing rapid growth in the cost of its capital works program. It is also experiencing serious wages pressures to provide fair and generous wages settlements to police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and other important key deliverers of services. It will spend $2.4 billion over the forward estimates on additional wages, compared with where it was in the 2007-08 budget. Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is an excellent question. I can confirm that the budget will be handed down on Thursday, 8 May. I will not give the detail of the budget ahead of Thursday, 8 May. However, I can tell members this about the budget: the government will be using the proceeds of this state’s prosperity to invest heavily in this state’s future through its infrastructure program. The government’s infrastructure program will be designed to, firstly, support future economic growth in this state and, secondly, support future delivery of services. The government was elected to provide good services in health, education, law and order, disability services and environmental protection, and those services will be well-funded in the budget—more generously funded than they are in other states. I will give members an example of some of the infrastructure that will be funded. The government has already fully funded and delivered the New MetroRail project; it is absolutely debt free. It will provide funding in the budget for the $1.8 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital, $1.1 billion for an outdoor stadium, $955 million for a desalination plant, $631 million for the Perth-Bunbury highway, $506 million for a new museum, $335 million for the proposed Perth Arena, $300 million for the proposed Perth waterfront project, $181 million for the proposed Swan Health Campus and $49 million for the proposed Albany Entertainment Centre. I have named a small selection of what this government will be funding in a massive infrastructure program to set this state up for the future by using the proceeds of its economic performance. That economic performance is one of the very positive features of the context in which the government frames the budget. However, there are other features that are not so positive; for example, this state’s declining share of goods and services tax—reducing to 5.8 per cent at the end of the forward estimates—that will take $6 billion from the state’s finances. Like other proponents, this government is also experiencing rapid growth in the cost of its capital works program. It is also experiencing serious wages pressures to provide fair and generous wages settlements to police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and other important key deliverers of services. It will spend $2.4 billion over the forward estimates on additional wages, compared with where it was in the 2007-08 budget. Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
I will give members an example of some of the infrastructure that will be funded. The government has already fully funded and delivered the New MetroRail project; it is absolutely debt free. It will provide funding in the budget for the $1.8 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital, $1.1 billion for an outdoor stadium, $955 million for a desalination plant, $631 million for the Perth-Bunbury highway, $506 million for a new museum, $335 million for the proposed Perth Arena, $300 million for the proposed Perth waterfront project, $181 million for the proposed Swan Health Campus and $49 million for the proposed Albany Entertainment Centre. I have named a small selection of what this government will be funding in a massive infrastructure program to set this state up for the future by using the proceeds of its economic performance. That economic performance is one of the very positive features of the context in which the government frames the budget. However, there are other features that are not so positive; for example, this state’s declining share of goods and services tax—reducing to 5.8 per cent at the end of the forward estimates—that will take $6 billion from the state’s finances. Like other proponents, this government is also experiencing rapid growth in the cost of its capital works program. It is also experiencing serious wages pressures to provide fair and generous wages settlements to police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and other important key deliverers of services. It will spend $2.4 billion over the forward estimates on additional wages, compared with where it was in the 2007-08 budget. Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
Like other proponents, this government is also experiencing rapid growth in the cost of its capital works program. It is also experiencing serious wages pressures to provide fair and generous wages settlements to police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and other important key deliverers of services. It will spend $2.4 billion over the forward estimates on additional wages, compared with where it was in the 2007-08 budget. Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
Several members interjected. Mr T. Buswell : You’ve only asked half the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: Mr Speaker, I did not hear the second half of the question. Several members interjected. Mrs C.A. Martin : Can you give us the ups on the broader themes of what we will get in the budget? Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is an excellent question. I can confirm that the budget will be handed down on Thursday, 8 May. I will not give the detail of the budget ahead of Thursday, 8 May. However, I can tell members this about the budget: the government will be using the proceeds of this state’s prosperity to invest heavily in this state’s future through its infrastructure program. The government’s infrastructure program will be designed to, firstly, support future economic growth in this state and, secondly, support future delivery of services. The government was elected to provide good services in health, education, law and order, disability services and environmental protection, and those services will be well-funded in the budget—more generously funded than they are in other states. I will give members an example of some of the infrastructure that will be funded. The government has already fully funded and delivered the New MetroRail project; it is absolutely debt free. It will provide funding in the budget for the $1.8 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital, $1.1 billion for an outdoor stadium, $955 million for a desalination plant, $631 million for the Perth-Bunbury highway, $506 million for a new museum, $335 million for the proposed Perth Arena, $300 million for the proposed Perth waterfront project, $181 million for the proposed Swan Health Campus and $49 million for the proposed Albany Entertainment Centre. I have named a small selection of what this government will be funding in a massive infrastructure program to set this state up for the future by using the proceeds of its economic performance. That economic performance is one of the very positive features of the context in which the government frames the budget. However, there are other features that are not so positive; for example, this state’s declining share of goods and services tax—reducing to 5.8 per cent at the end of the forward estimates—that will take $6 billion from the state’s finances. Like other proponents, this government is also experiencing rapid growth in the cost of its capital works program. It is also experiencing serious wages pressures to provide fair and generous wages settlements to police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and other important key deliverers of services. It will spend $2.4 billion over the forward estimates on additional wages, compared with where it was in the 2007-08 budget. Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
Mr T. Buswell : You’ve only asked half the question! Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: Mr Speaker, I did not hear the second half of the question. Several members interjected. Mrs C.A. Martin : Can you give us the ups on the broader themes of what we will get in the budget? Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is an excellent question. I can confirm that the budget will be handed down on Thursday, 8 May. I will not give the detail of the budget ahead of Thursday, 8 May. However, I can tell members this about the budget: the government will be using the proceeds of this state’s prosperity to invest heavily in this state’s future through its infrastructure program. The government’s infrastructure program will be designed to, firstly, support future economic growth in this state and, secondly, support future delivery of services. The government was elected to provide good services in health, education, law and order, disability services and environmental protection, and those services will be well-funded in the budget—more generously funded than they are in other states. I will give members an example of some of the infrastructure that will be funded. The government has already fully funded and delivered the New MetroRail project; it is absolutely debt free. It will provide funding in the budget for the $1.8 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital, $1.1 billion for an outdoor stadium, $955 million for a desalination plant, $631 million for the Perth-Bunbury highway, $506 million for a new museum, $335 million for the proposed Perth Arena, $300 million for the proposed Perth waterfront project, $181 million for the proposed Swan Health Campus and $49 million for the proposed Albany Entertainment Centre. I have named a small selection of what this government will be funding in a massive infrastructure program to set this state up for the future by using the proceeds of its economic performance. That economic performance is one of the very positive features of the context in which the government frames the budget. However, there are other features that are not so positive; for example, this state’s declining share of goods and services tax—reducing to 5.8 per cent at the end of the forward estimates—that will take $6 billion from the state’s finances. Like other proponents, this government is also experiencing rapid growth in the cost of its capital works program. It is also experiencing serious wages pressures to provide fair and generous wages settlements to police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and other important key deliverers of services. It will spend $2.4 billion over the forward estimates on additional wages, compared with where it was in the 2007-08 budget. Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: Mr Speaker, I did not hear the second half of the question. Several members interjected. Mrs C.A. Martin : Can you give us the ups on the broader themes of what we will get in the budget? Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is an excellent question. I can confirm that the budget will be handed down on Thursday, 8 May. I will not give the detail of the budget ahead of Thursday, 8 May. However, I can tell members this about the budget: the government will be using the proceeds of this state’s prosperity to invest heavily in this state’s future through its infrastructure program. The government’s infrastructure program will be designed to, firstly, support future economic growth in this state and, secondly, support future delivery of services. The government was elected to provide good services in health, education, law and order, disability services and environmental protection, and those services will be well-funded in the budget—more generously funded than they are in other states. I will give members an example of some of the infrastructure that will be funded. The government has already fully funded and delivered the New MetroRail project; it is absolutely debt free. It will provide funding in the budget for the $1.8 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital, $1.1 billion for an outdoor stadium, $955 million for a desalination plant, $631 million for the Perth-Bunbury highway, $506 million for a new museum, $335 million for the proposed Perth Arena, $300 million for the proposed Perth waterfront project, $181 million for the proposed Swan Health Campus and $49 million for the proposed Albany Entertainment Centre. I have named a small selection of what this government will be funding in a massive infrastructure program to set this state up for the future by using the proceeds of its economic performance. That economic performance is one of the very positive features of the context in which the government frames the budget. However, there are other features that are not so positive; for example, this state’s declining share of goods and services tax—reducing to 5.8 per cent at the end of the forward estimates—that will take $6 billion from the state’s finances. Like other proponents, this government is also experiencing rapid growth in the cost of its capital works program. It is also experiencing serious wages pressures to provide fair and generous wages settlements to police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and other important key deliverers of services. It will spend $2.4 billion over the forward estimates on additional wages, compared with where it was in the 2007-08 budget. Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: Mr Speaker, I did not hear the second half of the question. Several members interjected. Mrs C.A. Martin : Can you give us the ups on the broader themes of what we will get in the budget? Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is an excellent question. I can confirm that the budget will be handed down on Thursday, 8 May. I will not give the detail of the budget ahead of Thursday, 8 May. However, I can tell members this about the budget: the government will be using the proceeds of this state’s prosperity to invest heavily in this state’s future through its infrastructure program. The government’s infrastructure program will be designed to, firstly, support future economic growth in this state and, secondly, support future delivery of services. The government was elected to provide good services in health, education, law and order, disability services and environmental protection, and those services will be well-funded in the budget—more generously funded than they are in other states. I will give members an example of some of the infrastructure that will be funded. The government has already fully funded and delivered the New MetroRail project; it is absolutely debt free. It will provide funding in the budget for the $1.8 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital, $1.1 billion for an outdoor stadium, $955 million for a desalination plant, $631 million for the Perth-Bunbury highway, $506 million for a new museum, $335 million for the proposed Perth Arena, $300 million for the proposed Perth waterfront project, $181 million for the proposed Swan Health Campus and $49 million for the proposed Albany Entertainment Centre. I have named a small selection of what this government will be funding in a massive infrastructure program to set this state up for the future by using the proceeds of its economic performance. That economic performance is one of the very positive features of the context in which the government frames the budget. However, there are other features that are not so positive; for example, this state’s declining share of goods and services tax—reducing to 5.8 per cent at the end of the forward estimates—that will take $6 billion from the state’s finances. Like other proponents, this government is also experiencing rapid growth in the cost of its capital works program. It is also experiencing serious wages pressures to provide fair and generous wages settlements to police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and other important key deliverers of services. It will spend $2.4 billion over the forward estimates on additional wages, compared with where it was in the 2007-08 budget. Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
Mr Speaker, I did not hear the second half of the question. Several members interjected. Mrs C.A. Martin : Can you give us the ups on the broader themes of what we will get in the budget? Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is an excellent question. I can confirm that the budget will be handed down on Thursday, 8 May. I will not give the detail of the budget ahead of Thursday, 8 May. However, I can tell members this about the budget: the government will be using the proceeds of this state’s prosperity to invest heavily in this state’s future through its infrastructure program. The government’s infrastructure program will be designed to, firstly, support future economic growth in this state and, secondly, support future delivery of services. The government was elected to provide good services in health, education, law and order, disability services and environmental protection, and those services will be well-funded in the budget—more generously funded than they are in other states. I will give members an example of some of the infrastructure that will be funded. The government has already fully funded and delivered the New MetroRail project; it is absolutely debt free. It will provide funding in the budget for the $1.8 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital, $1.1 billion for an outdoor stadium, $955 million for a desalination plant, $631 million for the Perth-Bunbury highway, $506 million for a new museum, $335 million for the proposed Perth Arena, $300 million for the proposed Perth waterfront project, $181 million for the proposed Swan Health Campus and $49 million for the proposed Albany Entertainment Centre. I have named a small selection of what this government will be funding in a massive infrastructure program to set this state up for the future by using the proceeds of its economic performance. That economic performance is one of the very positive features of the context in which the government frames the budget. However, there are other features that are not so positive; for example, this state’s declining share of goods and services tax—reducing to 5.8 per cent at the end of the forward estimates—that will take $6 billion from the state’s finances. Like other proponents, this government is also experiencing rapid growth in the cost of its capital works program. It is also experiencing serious wages pressures to provide fair and generous wages settlements to police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and other important key deliverers of services. It will spend $2.4 billion over the forward estimates on additional wages, compared with where it was in the 2007-08 budget. Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
Several members interjected. Mrs C.A. Martin : Can you give us the ups on the broader themes of what we will get in the budget? Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is an excellent question. I can confirm that the budget will be handed down on Thursday, 8 May. I will not give the detail of the budget ahead of Thursday, 8 May. However, I can tell members this about the budget: the government will be using the proceeds of this state’s prosperity to invest heavily in this state’s future through its infrastructure program. The government’s infrastructure program will be designed to, firstly, support future economic growth in this state and, secondly, support future delivery of services. The government was elected to provide good services in health, education, law and order, disability services and environmental protection, and those services will be well-funded in the budget—more generously funded than they are in other states. I will give members an example of some of the infrastructure that will be funded. The government has already fully funded and delivered the New MetroRail project; it is absolutely debt free. It will provide funding in the budget for the $1.8 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital, $1.1 billion for an outdoor stadium, $955 million for a desalination plant, $631 million for the Perth-Bunbury highway, $506 million for a new museum, $335 million for the proposed Perth Arena, $300 million for the proposed Perth waterfront project, $181 million for the proposed Swan Health Campus and $49 million for the proposed Albany Entertainment Centre. I have named a small selection of what this government will be funding in a massive infrastructure program to set this state up for the future by using the proceeds of its economic performance. That economic performance is one of the very positive features of the context in which the government frames the budget. However, there are other features that are not so positive; for example, this state’s declining share of goods and services tax—reducing to 5.8 per cent at the end of the forward estimates—that will take $6 billion from the state’s finances. Like other proponents, this government is also experiencing rapid growth in the cost of its capital works program. It is also experiencing serious wages pressures to provide fair and generous wages settlements to police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and other important key deliverers of services. It will spend $2.4 billion over the forward estimates on additional wages, compared with where it was in the 2007-08 budget. Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
Mrs C.A. Martin : Can you give us the ups on the broader themes of what we will get in the budget? Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is an excellent question. I can confirm that the budget will be handed down on Thursday, 8 May. I will not give the detail of the budget ahead of Thursday, 8 May. However, I can tell members this about the budget: the government will be using the proceeds of this state’s prosperity to invest heavily in this state’s future through its infrastructure program. The government’s infrastructure program will be designed to, firstly, support future economic growth in this state and, secondly, support future delivery of services. The government was elected to provide good services in health, education, law and order, disability services and environmental protection, and those services will be well-funded in the budget—more generously funded than they are in other states. I will give members an example of some of the infrastructure that will be funded. The government has already fully funded and delivered the New MetroRail project; it is absolutely debt free. It will provide funding in the budget for the $1.8 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital, $1.1 billion for an outdoor stadium, $955 million for a desalination plant, $631 million for the Perth-Bunbury highway, $506 million for a new museum, $335 million for the proposed Perth Arena, $300 million for the proposed Perth waterfront project, $181 million for the proposed Swan Health Campus and $49 million for the proposed Albany Entertainment Centre. I have named a small selection of what this government will be funding in a massive infrastructure program to set this state up for the future by using the proceeds of its economic performance. That economic performance is one of the very positive features of the context in which the government frames the budget. However, there are other features that are not so positive; for example, this state’s declining share of goods and services tax—reducing to 5.8 per cent at the end of the forward estimates—that will take $6 billion from the state’s finances. Like other proponents, this government is also experiencing rapid growth in the cost of its capital works program. It is also experiencing serious wages pressures to provide fair and generous wages settlements to police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and other important key deliverers of services. It will spend $2.4 billion over the forward estimates on additional wages, compared with where it was in the 2007-08 budget. Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : That is an excellent question. I can confirm that the budget will be handed down on Thursday, 8 May. I will not give the detail of the budget ahead of Thursday, 8 May. However, I can tell members this about the budget: the government will be using the proceeds of this state’s prosperity to invest heavily in this state’s future through its infrastructure program. The government’s infrastructure program will be designed to, firstly, support future economic growth in this state and, secondly, support future delivery of services. The government was elected to provide good services in health, education, law and order, disability services and environmental protection, and those services will be well-funded in the budget—more generously funded than they are in other states. I will give members an example of some of the infrastructure that will be funded. The government has already fully funded and delivered the New MetroRail project; it is absolutely debt free. It will provide funding in the budget for the $1.8 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital, $1.1 billion for an outdoor stadium, $955 million for a desalination plant, $631 million for the Perth-Bunbury highway, $506 million for a new museum, $335 million for the proposed Perth Arena, $300 million for the proposed Perth waterfront project, $181 million for the proposed Swan Health Campus and $49 million for the proposed Albany Entertainment Centre. I have named a small selection of what this government will be funding in a massive infrastructure program to set this state up for the future by using the proceeds of its economic performance. That economic performance is one of the very positive features of the context in which the government frames the budget. However, there are other features that are not so positive; for example, this state’s declining share of goods and services tax—reducing to 5.8 per cent at the end of the forward estimates—that will take $6 billion from the state’s finances. Like other proponents, this government is also experiencing rapid growth in the cost of its capital works program. It is also experiencing serious wages pressures to provide fair and generous wages settlements to police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and other important key deliverers of services. It will spend $2.4 billion over the forward estimates on additional wages, compared with where it was in the 2007-08 budget. Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
I will give members an example of some of the infrastructure that will be funded. The government has already fully funded and delivered the New MetroRail project; it is absolutely debt free. It will provide funding in the budget for the $1.8 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital, $1.1 billion for an outdoor stadium, $955 million for a desalination plant, $631 million for the Perth-Bunbury highway, $506 million for a new museum, $335 million for the proposed Perth Arena, $300 million for the proposed Perth waterfront project, $181 million for the proposed Swan Health Campus and $49 million for the proposed Albany Entertainment Centre. I have named a small selection of what this government will be funding in a massive infrastructure program to set this state up for the future by using the proceeds of its economic performance. That economic performance is one of the very positive features of the context in which the government frames the budget. However, there are other features that are not so positive; for example, this state’s declining share of goods and services tax—reducing to 5.8 per cent at the end of the forward estimates—that will take $6 billion from the state’s finances. Like other proponents, this government is also experiencing rapid growth in the cost of its capital works program. It is also experiencing serious wages pressures to provide fair and generous wages settlements to police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and other important key deliverers of services. It will spend $2.4 billion over the forward estimates on additional wages, compared with where it was in the 2007-08 budget. Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
Like other proponents, this government is also experiencing rapid growth in the cost of its capital works program. It is also experiencing serious wages pressures to provide fair and generous wages settlements to police officers, teachers, nurses, doctors and other important key deliverers of services. It will spend $2.4 billion over the forward estimates on additional wages, compared with where it was in the 2007-08 budget. Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
Another thing that concerns me is the value of the Australian dollar. Every 1c rise in the value of the Australian dollar takes $130 million out of this state’s finances. On the one hand, we have the very positive nature of this state’s economy and what that delivers to the budget; on the other hand, we have those other factors that impose constraints. Of course, the government will run a surplus, but what is important is what it does with that surplus. It will invest every single cent of that surplus in Western Australia’s future by building schools, hospitals, roads, ports, powerlines, water facilities and police stations. That is what this state needs to grow into the future. This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
This government has been well supported by the ratings agencies, which have praised its prudent financial management and consistently awarded the state AAA credit ratings. I picked up on the reference to Pinocchio by the member for Avon, whose interjections I always enjoy and find useful. I point out to the house, particularly the member for Avon, that year after year the state of Western Australia wins the Access Economics award for the most transparent and accountable budget papers in the country.
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