❓ Mr. Wyatt questions Premier Barnett about comments perceived as dismissive towards pensioners regarding rising household fees and charges. The Premier denies making callous comments and defends the government's actions in addressing inherited debt and providing support for low-income individuals.
AnsweredQoN 370Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
GOVERNMENT FEES AND CHARGES — PREMIER’S COMMENTS
I refer to this government’s rise in household fees and charges and to the Premier’s comments in which he dismissed, with laughter, the concerns of an aged pensioner about the cost of living. (1) Will the Premier apologise to those people in our community living on fixed incomes, especially pensioners and struggling families, for his callous comments? (2) Will the Premier guarantee that the increases projected for next year will not be more than consumer price index increases? (3) Will the Premier remove budget assumptions for a 22 per cent rise in the cost of electricity and an 8.4 per cent rise in the cost of water from his financial plan in the midyear review of December this year? Mr C.J. BARNETT
I refer to this government’s rise in household fees and charges and to the Premier’s comments in which he dismissed, with laughter, the concerns of an aged pensioner about the cost of living. (1) Will the Premier apologise to those people in our community living on fixed incomes, especially pensioners and struggling families, for his callous comments? (2) Will the Premier guarantee that the increases projected for next year will not be more than consumer price index increases? (3) Will the Premier remove budget assumptions for a 22 per cent rise in the cost of electricity and an 8.4 per cent rise in the cost of water from his financial plan in the midyear review of December this year? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
Mr Speaker, I made no callous comments to any pensioner. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I think everybody saw it on TV. It was a very arrogant approach. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Had I said anything that I might regret to a pensioner, the opposition would have quoted it. I do not know what — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Your laughter and arrogant approach was there for all to see, and you know it! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Will the member for Victoria Park please tell me what he is referring to? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Why don’t you show a bit of respect for the people you are hitting on a day-to-day basis with increased fees and charges? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
(1) Will the Premier apologise to those people in our community living on fixed incomes, especially pensioners and struggling families, for his callous comments? (2) Will the Premier guarantee that the increases projected for next year will not be more than consumer price index increases? (3) Will the Premier remove budget assumptions for a 22 per cent rise in the cost of electricity and an 8.4 per cent rise in the cost of water from his financial plan in the midyear review of December this year? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Mr Speaker, I made no callous comments to any pensioner. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I think everybody saw it on TV. It was a very arrogant approach. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Had I said anything that I might regret to a pensioner, the opposition would have quoted it. I do not know what — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Your laughter and arrogant approach was there for all to see, and you know it! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Will the member for Victoria Park please tell me what he is referring to? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Why don’t you show a bit of respect for the people you are hitting on a day-to-day basis with increased fees and charges? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
(2) Will the Premier guarantee that the increases projected for next year will not be more than consumer price index increases? (3) Will the Premier remove budget assumptions for a 22 per cent rise in the cost of electricity and an 8.4 per cent rise in the cost of water from his financial plan in the midyear review of December this year? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Mr Speaker, I made no callous comments to any pensioner. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I think everybody saw it on TV. It was a very arrogant approach. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Had I said anything that I might regret to a pensioner, the opposition would have quoted it. I do not know what — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Your laughter and arrogant approach was there for all to see, and you know it! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Will the member for Victoria Park please tell me what he is referring to? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Why don’t you show a bit of respect for the people you are hitting on a day-to-day basis with increased fees and charges? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
(3) Will the Premier remove budget assumptions for a 22 per cent rise in the cost of electricity and an 8.4 per cent rise in the cost of water from his financial plan in the midyear review of December this year? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Mr Speaker, I made no callous comments to any pensioner. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I think everybody saw it on TV. It was a very arrogant approach. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Had I said anything that I might regret to a pensioner, the opposition would have quoted it. I do not know what — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Your laughter and arrogant approach was there for all to see, and you know it! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Will the member for Victoria Park please tell me what he is referring to? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Why don’t you show a bit of respect for the people you are hitting on a day-to-day basis with increased fees and charges? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Mr Speaker, I made no callous comments to any pensioner. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I think everybody saw it on TV. It was a very arrogant approach. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Had I said anything that I might regret to a pensioner, the opposition would have quoted it. I do not know what — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Your laughter and arrogant approach was there for all to see, and you know it! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Will the member for Victoria Park please tell me what he is referring to? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Why don’t you show a bit of respect for the people you are hitting on a day-to-day basis with increased fees and charges? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr Speaker, I made no callous comments to any pensioner. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I think everybody saw it on TV. It was a very arrogant approach. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Had I said anything that I might regret to a pensioner, the opposition would have quoted it. I do not know what — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Your laughter and arrogant approach was there for all to see, and you know it! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Will the member for Victoria Park please tell me what he is referring to? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Why don’t you show a bit of respect for the people you are hitting on a day-to-day basis with increased fees and charges? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : I think everybody saw it on TV. It was a very arrogant approach. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Had I said anything that I might regret to a pensioner, the opposition would have quoted it. I do not know what — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Your laughter and arrogant approach was there for all to see, and you know it! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Will the member for Victoria Park please tell me what he is referring to? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Why don’t you show a bit of respect for the people you are hitting on a day-to-day basis with increased fees and charges? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Had I said anything that I might regret to a pensioner, the opposition would have quoted it. I do not know what — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Your laughter and arrogant approach was there for all to see, and you know it! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Will the member for Victoria Park please tell me what he is referring to? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Why don’t you show a bit of respect for the people you are hitting on a day-to-day basis with increased fees and charges? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Your laughter and arrogant approach was there for all to see, and you know it! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Will the member for Victoria Park please tell me what he is referring to? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Why don’t you show a bit of respect for the people you are hitting on a day-to-day basis with increased fees and charges? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Will the member for Victoria Park please tell me what he is referring to? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Why don’t you show a bit of respect for the people you are hitting on a day-to-day basis with increased fees and charges? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Why don’t you show a bit of respect for the people you are hitting on a day-to-day basis with increased fees and charges? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
(1) Will the Premier apologise to those people in our community living on fixed incomes, especially pensioners and struggling families, for his callous comments? (2) Will the Premier guarantee that the increases projected for next year will not be more than consumer price index increases? (3) Will the Premier remove budget assumptions for a 22 per cent rise in the cost of electricity and an 8.4 per cent rise in the cost of water from his financial plan in the midyear review of December this year? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Mr Speaker, I made no callous comments to any pensioner. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I think everybody saw it on TV. It was a very arrogant approach. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Had I said anything that I might regret to a pensioner, the opposition would have quoted it. I do not know what — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Your laughter and arrogant approach was there for all to see, and you know it! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Will the member for Victoria Park please tell me what he is referring to? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Why don’t you show a bit of respect for the people you are hitting on a day-to-day basis with increased fees and charges? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
(2) Will the Premier guarantee that the increases projected for next year will not be more than consumer price index increases? (3) Will the Premier remove budget assumptions for a 22 per cent rise in the cost of electricity and an 8.4 per cent rise in the cost of water from his financial plan in the midyear review of December this year? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Mr Speaker, I made no callous comments to any pensioner. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I think everybody saw it on TV. It was a very arrogant approach. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Had I said anything that I might regret to a pensioner, the opposition would have quoted it. I do not know what — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Your laughter and arrogant approach was there for all to see, and you know it! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Will the member for Victoria Park please tell me what he is referring to? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Why don’t you show a bit of respect for the people you are hitting on a day-to-day basis with increased fees and charges? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
(3) Will the Premier remove budget assumptions for a 22 per cent rise in the cost of electricity and an 8.4 per cent rise in the cost of water from his financial plan in the midyear review of December this year? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Mr Speaker, I made no callous comments to any pensioner. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I think everybody saw it on TV. It was a very arrogant approach. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Had I said anything that I might regret to a pensioner, the opposition would have quoted it. I do not know what — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Your laughter and arrogant approach was there for all to see, and you know it! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Will the member for Victoria Park please tell me what he is referring to? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Why don’t you show a bit of respect for the people you are hitting on a day-to-day basis with increased fees and charges? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: Mr Speaker, I made no callous comments to any pensioner. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I think everybody saw it on TV. It was a very arrogant approach. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Had I said anything that I might regret to a pensioner, the opposition would have quoted it. I do not know what — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Your laughter and arrogant approach was there for all to see, and you know it! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Will the member for Victoria Park please tell me what he is referring to? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Why don’t you show a bit of respect for the people you are hitting on a day-to-day basis with increased fees and charges? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr Speaker, I made no callous comments to any pensioner. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I think everybody saw it on TV. It was a very arrogant approach. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Had I said anything that I might regret to a pensioner, the opposition would have quoted it. I do not know what — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Your laughter and arrogant approach was there for all to see, and you know it! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Will the member for Victoria Park please tell me what he is referring to? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Why don’t you show a bit of respect for the people you are hitting on a day-to-day basis with increased fees and charges? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : I think everybody saw it on TV. It was a very arrogant approach. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Had I said anything that I might regret to a pensioner, the opposition would have quoted it. I do not know what — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Your laughter and arrogant approach was there for all to see, and you know it! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Will the member for Victoria Park please tell me what he is referring to? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Why don’t you show a bit of respect for the people you are hitting on a day-to-day basis with increased fees and charges? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Had I said anything that I might regret to a pensioner, the opposition would have quoted it. I do not know what — Mr B.S. Wyatt : Your laughter and arrogant approach was there for all to see, and you know it! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Will the member for Victoria Park please tell me what he is referring to? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Why don’t you show a bit of respect for the people you are hitting on a day-to-day basis with increased fees and charges? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Your laughter and arrogant approach was there for all to see, and you know it! Mr C.J. BARNETT : Will the member for Victoria Park please tell me what he is referring to? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Why don’t you show a bit of respect for the people you are hitting on a day-to-day basis with increased fees and charges? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Will the member for Victoria Park please tell me what he is referring to? Mr B.S. Wyatt : Why don’t you show a bit of respect for the people you are hitting on a day-to-day basis with increased fees and charges? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Why don’t you show a bit of respect for the people you are hitting on a day-to-day basis with increased fees and charges? Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the member is referring to. Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : You are an arrogant man, Barnett. The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
The SPEAKER : I will formally call you for the second time, member for Victoria Park. There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
There is a question before this house. I am struggling to hear it, because members on both sides are yelling and interjecting. The member for Victoria Park has asked a question. I would like to hear the answer from the Premier. I am struggling to do so at the moment, Premier. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I do not know what the — Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr P. Papalia interjected. The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
The SPEAKER : I call you formally for the first time, member for Warnbro. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I am not sure what the member for Victoria Park was referring to; he may even have been referring to the question, could you live on a pension? I do not know if that is what he was referring to. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Okay—why did he not say so? It would have — Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : It seems that you have worked it out all by yourself, you dimwit. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Despite the media trying to say it, I have never said that I could live as I do on a pension. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Right; now you have never said that. Okay. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I have not. I said that I would not die; I would survive. But I understand very clearly that people on pensions and people on — Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr P. Papalia interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : There is no point. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, Premier. I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
I am sure that the member for Victoria Park wants an answer to the question. Many members in this chamber are preventing that answer from being heard. I formally call the member for Warnbro for the second time. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I certainly acknowledge, as I did to that particular caller on radio, that it is very tough for people who are dependent on the pension. I recognise that and, as I have said a number of times in this chamber, I recognise that the increases in electricity prices and water charges hurt. Of course they do; they have been significant increases. I am not going to go back to retrace history — Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : What about the midyear review then? You are not retracing history, so what about the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Mr Speaker, the idea in the chamber is that a thinking member asks a question and then has some courtesy to wait for the answer. Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : We have been waiting for a while. Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I think the member for Victoria Park has a few brains. Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Ms M.M. Quirk : Just say sorry. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Really, Mr Speaker. To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
To live on a pension is tough and electricity price rises hurt. I understand that. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Clearly, you don’t! Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : We inherited nearly $1 billion in debt. We had to deal with it, and we did deal with it. We did not try to conceal the issue. It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
It might surprise members opposite that the people of Western Australia, including pensioners who feel the burden, understand why it was done—why it was necessary. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Well, they do; they understand. Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Several members interjected. Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : We also allocated large amounts of money to the hardship utility grants scheme. We are also providing free public transport for seniors during daylight hours. We are doing a lot to help people on lower incomes. We are doing a lot to provide increased opportunities for all Western Australians. As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
As to the budget forecast, I know members opposite are totally preoccupied with forward estimates; totally preoccupied. Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : No; this is actually this year’s budget. Are you going to change it for the midyear review? Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : If the member for Victoria Park thinks, he will know that he has answered his own question—this year’s budget. This year’s budget is the budget for the 2010–11 year. Next year—surprise, surprise—there will be a budget for the 2011–12 year. At that point, members will see exactly what will happen.
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