❓ Mr. Logan asks about monthly employment statistics. Mr. Kobelke responds, highlighting concerns about the lack of full-time job growth and blaming the GST for hindering small business and overall economic growth in Western Australia.
AnsweredQoN 529Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS
I refer to the release this morning of the monthly labour force statistics by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Can the minister advise the House as to the monthly employment statistics for Western Australia? Mr KOBELKE
I refer to the release this morning of the monthly labour force statistics by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Can the minister advise the House as to the monthly employment statistics for Western Australia? Mr KOBELKE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. Each month we look with interest to the Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, which give us some indication of what is happening with employment and unemployment in this State and across Australia. However, for some years I have not been able to determine what might be the outcome for Western Australia on the basis of one month’s figures. The figures jump around by a huge amount. There are big swings in both employment growth and unemployment on a month-to-month basis. I will put this month’s figures in the context of a year or two and the trend lines that can be reflected in this month’s figures. What the figures show is that total employment in Western Australia has edged up, but not by enough. Total employment has grown by about 0.9 per cent over the past 12 months. That means that 941 300 people are currently employed in Western Australia and the size of the state labour force exceeded one million people for the eleventh consecutive month. The most disturbing trend shown by the Australian Bureau of Statistics figures is that the number of full-time jobs has not grown. This has been the case for some time. This State, whose population and economy is growing, has not experienced any real growth in full-time jobs. That has been a concern for more than two years. Total employment seems to be going up - it has jumped up and down for two years - but there has been no net increase in full-time jobs. That is a concern which the Government must address. As members know, there is a lag between employment figures and what the State can do to create jobs. The big problem is that the dead hand of the goods and services tax is causing huge problems for small businesses in Western Australia, limiting their ability to take on people. On 29 March 2000, the Leader of the Opposition said in this place that - . . . the GST and the shift from direct to indirect taxation will have a net positive effect on this country’s economy. Clearly, a person can be wrong from time to time. In this instance, the Leader of the Opposition was wrong in a big way. In the 2000-01 financial year, state - Mr Barnett: If Kim Beazley wants to repeal the GST he can, but he will not do so. There is no way that he will do that. This is all puff. It is a joke. Mr KOBELKE: The Leader of the Opposition is full of puff and yell. He is bumptious, but he is not honest. I am happy to take the interjections of the Leader of the Opposition because I can easily handle them, but the Leader of the Opposition will not himself take interjections. He runs for the protection of the Chair. He interjects on members on this side - I am happy to have his interjections - but he is a quisling who goes for the protection of the Chair whenever someone interjects on him. When the Leader of the Opposition was asked for a simple, straight answer on his position on One Nation preferences, was he willing to accept interjections? No! He ran for cover. He runs for the protection of Mr Speaker whenever he is on his feet and is not willing to take an interjection. Dr Gallop: I will tell you who he reminds me of. He reminds me of the member for Curtin. She disappears whenever things heat up. Mr KOBELKE: The statement by the Leader of the Opposition on the GST was clearly wrong. In 2000-01, state final demand contracted by one per cent. Growth in this State is expected to be less than half what it was in the previous year. In 2000-01, dwelling investment fell by 21 per cent, business investment by 11 per cent and consumer confidence declined, all because of the GST. The dead hand of the GST is stopping the growth of full-time jobs in Western Australia. A Beazley Labor Government provides hope that there will be real job growth in this State, on top of what the State Government will do.
Mr KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. Each month we look with interest to the Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, which give us some indication of what is happening with employment and unemployment in this State and across Australia. However, for some years I have not been able to determine what might be the outcome for Western Australia on the basis of one month’s figures. The figures jump around by a huge amount. There are big swings in both employment growth and unemployment on a month-to-month basis. I will put this month’s figures in the context of a year or two and the trend lines that can be reflected in this month’s figures. What the figures show is that total employment in Western Australia has edged up, but not by enough. Total employment has grown by about 0.9 per cent over the past 12 months. That means that 941 300 people are currently employed in Western Australia and the size of the state labour force exceeded one million people for the eleventh consecutive month. The most disturbing trend shown by the Australian Bureau of Statistics figures is that the number of full-time jobs has not grown. This has been the case for some time. This State, whose population and economy is growing, has not experienced any real growth in full-time jobs. That has been a concern for more than two years. Total employment seems to be going up - it has jumped up and down for two years - but there has been no net increase in full-time jobs. That is a concern which the Government must address. As members know, there is a lag between employment figures and what the State can do to create jobs. The big problem is that the dead hand of the goods and services tax is causing huge problems for small businesses in Western Australia, limiting their ability to take on people. On 29 March 2000, the Leader of the Opposition said in this place that - . . . the GST and the shift from direct to indirect taxation will have a net positive effect on this country’s economy. Clearly, a person can be wrong from time to time. In this instance, the Leader of the Opposition was wrong in a big way. In the 2000-01 financial year, state - Mr Barnett: If Kim Beazley wants to repeal the GST he can, but he will not do so. There is no way that he will do that. This is all puff. It is a joke. Mr KOBELKE: The Leader of the Opposition is full of puff and yell. He is bumptious, but he is not honest. I am happy to take the interjections of the Leader of the Opposition because I can easily handle them, but the Leader of the Opposition will not himself take interjections. He runs for the protection of the Chair. He interjects on members on this side - I am happy to have his interjections - but he is a quisling who goes for the protection of the Chair whenever someone interjects on him. When the Leader of the Opposition was asked for a simple, straight answer on his position on One Nation preferences, was he willing to accept interjections? No! He ran for cover. He runs for the protection of Mr Speaker whenever he is on his feet and is not willing to take an interjection. Dr Gallop: I will tell you who he reminds me of. He reminds me of the member for Curtin. She disappears whenever things heat up. Mr KOBELKE: The statement by the Leader of the Opposition on the GST was clearly wrong. In 2000-01, state final demand contracted by one per cent. Growth in this State is expected to be less than half what it was in the previous year. In 2000-01, dwelling investment fell by 21 per cent, business investment by 11 per cent and consumer confidence declined, all because of the GST. The dead hand of the GST is stopping the growth of full-time jobs in Western Australia. A Beazley Labor Government provides hope that there will be real job growth in this State, on top of what the State Government will do.
I thank the member for the question. Each month we look with interest to the Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, which give us some indication of what is happening with employment and unemployment in this State and across Australia. However, for some years I have not been able to determine what might be the outcome for Western Australia on the basis of one month’s figures. The figures jump around by a huge amount. There are big swings in both employment growth and unemployment on a month-to-month basis. I will put this month’s figures in the context of a year or two and the trend lines that can be reflected in this month’s figures. What the figures show is that total employment in Western Australia has edged up, but not by enough. Total employment has grown by about 0.9 per cent over the past 12 months. That means that 941 300 people are currently employed in Western Australia and the size of the state labour force exceeded one million people for the eleventh consecutive month. The most disturbing trend shown by the Australian Bureau of Statistics figures is that the number of full-time jobs has not grown. This has been the case for some time. This State, whose population and economy is growing, has not experienced any real growth in full-time jobs. That has been a concern for more than two years. Total employment seems to be going up - it has jumped up and down for two years - but there has been no net increase in full-time jobs. That is a concern which the Government must address. As members know, there is a lag between employment figures and what the State can do to create jobs. The big problem is that the dead hand of the goods and services tax is causing huge problems for small businesses in Western Australia, limiting their ability to take on people. On 29 March 2000, the Leader of the Opposition said in this place that - . . . the GST and the shift from direct to indirect taxation will have a net positive effect on this country’s economy. Clearly, a person can be wrong from time to time. In this instance, the Leader of the Opposition was wrong in a big way. In the 2000-01 financial year, state - Mr Barnett: If Kim Beazley wants to repeal the GST he can, but he will not do so. There is no way that he will do that. This is all puff. It is a joke. Mr KOBELKE: The Leader of the Opposition is full of puff and yell. He is bumptious, but he is not honest. I am happy to take the interjections of the Leader of the Opposition because I can easily handle them, but the Leader of the Opposition will not himself take interjections. He runs for the protection of the Chair. He interjects on members on this side - I am happy to have his interjections - but he is a quisling who goes for the protection of the Chair whenever someone interjects on him. When the Leader of the Opposition was asked for a simple, straight answer on his position on One Nation preferences, was he willing to accept interjections? No! He ran for cover. He runs for the protection of Mr Speaker whenever he is on his feet and is not willing to take an interjection. Dr Gallop: I will tell you who he reminds me of. He reminds me of the member for Curtin. She disappears whenever things heat up. Mr KOBELKE: The statement by the Leader of the Opposition on the GST was clearly wrong. In 2000-01, state final demand contracted by one per cent. Growth in this State is expected to be less than half what it was in the previous year. In 2000-01, dwelling investment fell by 21 per cent, business investment by 11 per cent and consumer confidence declined, all because of the GST. The dead hand of the GST is stopping the growth of full-time jobs in Western Australia. A Beazley Labor Government provides hope that there will be real job growth in this State, on top of what the State Government will do.
What the figures show is that total employment in Western Australia has edged up, but not by enough. Total employment has grown by about 0.9 per cent over the past 12 months. That means that 941 300 people are currently employed in Western Australia and the size of the state labour force exceeded one million people for the eleventh consecutive month. The most disturbing trend shown by the Australian Bureau of Statistics figures is that the number of full-time jobs has not grown. This has been the case for some time. This State, whose population and economy is growing, has not experienced any real growth in full-time jobs. That has been a concern for more than two years. Total employment seems to be going up - it has jumped up and down for two years - but there has been no net increase in full-time jobs. That is a concern which the Government must address. As members know, there is a lag between employment figures and what the State can do to create jobs. The big problem is that the dead hand of the goods and services tax is causing huge problems for small businesses in Western Australia, limiting their ability to take on people. On 29 March 2000, the Leader of the Opposition said in this place that - . . . the GST and the shift from direct to indirect taxation will have a net positive effect on this country’s economy. Clearly, a person can be wrong from time to time. In this instance, the Leader of the Opposition was wrong in a big way. In the 2000-01 financial year, state - Mr Barnett: If Kim Beazley wants to repeal the GST he can, but he will not do so. There is no way that he will do that. This is all puff. It is a joke. Mr KOBELKE: The Leader of the Opposition is full of puff and yell. He is bumptious, but he is not honest. I am happy to take the interjections of the Leader of the Opposition because I can easily handle them, but the Leader of the Opposition will not himself take interjections. He runs for the protection of the Chair. He interjects on members on this side - I am happy to have his interjections - but he is a quisling who goes for the protection of the Chair whenever someone interjects on him. When the Leader of the Opposition was asked for a simple, straight answer on his position on One Nation preferences, was he willing to accept interjections? No! He ran for cover. He runs for the protection of Mr Speaker whenever he is on his feet and is not willing to take an interjection. Dr Gallop: I will tell you who he reminds me of. He reminds me of the member for Curtin. She disappears whenever things heat up. Mr KOBELKE: The statement by the Leader of the Opposition on the GST was clearly wrong. In 2000-01, state final demand contracted by one per cent. Growth in this State is expected to be less than half what it was in the previous year. In 2000-01, dwelling investment fell by 21 per cent, business investment by 11 per cent and consumer confidence declined, all because of the GST. The dead hand of the GST is stopping the growth of full-time jobs in Western Australia. A Beazley Labor Government provides hope that there will be real job growth in this State, on top of what the State Government will do.
As members know, there is a lag between employment figures and what the State can do to create jobs. The big problem is that the dead hand of the goods and services tax is causing huge problems for small businesses in Western Australia, limiting their ability to take on people. On 29 March 2000, the Leader of the Opposition said in this place that - . . . the GST and the shift from direct to indirect taxation will have a net positive effect on this country’s economy. Clearly, a person can be wrong from time to time. In this instance, the Leader of the Opposition was wrong in a big way. In the 2000-01 financial year, state - Mr Barnett: If Kim Beazley wants to repeal the GST he can, but he will not do so. There is no way that he will do that. This is all puff. It is a joke. Mr KOBELKE: The Leader of the Opposition is full of puff and yell. He is bumptious, but he is not honest. I am happy to take the interjections of the Leader of the Opposition because I can easily handle them, but the Leader of the Opposition will not himself take interjections. He runs for the protection of the Chair. He interjects on members on this side - I am happy to have his interjections - but he is a quisling who goes for the protection of the Chair whenever someone interjects on him. When the Leader of the Opposition was asked for a simple, straight answer on his position on One Nation preferences, was he willing to accept interjections? No! He ran for cover. He runs for the protection of Mr Speaker whenever he is on his feet and is not willing to take an interjection. Dr Gallop: I will tell you who he reminds me of. He reminds me of the member for Curtin. She disappears whenever things heat up. Mr KOBELKE: The statement by the Leader of the Opposition on the GST was clearly wrong. In 2000-01, state final demand contracted by one per cent. Growth in this State is expected to be less than half what it was in the previous year. In 2000-01, dwelling investment fell by 21 per cent, business investment by 11 per cent and consumer confidence declined, all because of the GST. The dead hand of the GST is stopping the growth of full-time jobs in Western Australia. A Beazley Labor Government provides hope that there will be real job growth in this State, on top of what the State Government will do.
Mr Barnett: If Kim Beazley wants to repeal the GST he can, but he will not do so. There is no way that he will do that. This is all puff. It is a joke. Mr KOBELKE: The Leader of the Opposition is full of puff and yell. He is bumptious, but he is not honest. I am happy to take the interjections of the Leader of the Opposition because I can easily handle them, but the Leader of the Opposition will not himself take interjections. He runs for the protection of the Chair. He interjects on members on this side - I am happy to have his interjections - but he is a quisling who goes for the protection of the Chair whenever someone interjects on him. When the Leader of the Opposition was asked for a simple, straight answer on his position on One Nation preferences, was he willing to accept interjections? No! He ran for cover. He runs for the protection of Mr Speaker whenever he is on his feet and is not willing to take an interjection. Dr Gallop: I will tell you who he reminds me of. He reminds me of the member for Curtin. She disappears whenever things heat up. Mr KOBELKE: The statement by the Leader of the Opposition on the GST was clearly wrong. In 2000-01, state final demand contracted by one per cent. Growth in this State is expected to be less than half what it was in the previous year. In 2000-01, dwelling investment fell by 21 per cent, business investment by 11 per cent and consumer confidence declined, all because of the GST. The dead hand of the GST is stopping the growth of full-time jobs in Western Australia. A Beazley Labor Government provides hope that there will be real job growth in this State, on top of what the State Government will do.
Mr KOBELKE: The Leader of the Opposition is full of puff and yell. He is bumptious, but he is not honest. I am happy to take the interjections of the Leader of the Opposition because I can easily handle them, but the Leader of the Opposition will not himself take interjections. He runs for the protection of the Chair. He interjects on members on this side - I am happy to have his interjections - but he is a quisling who goes for the protection of the Chair whenever someone interjects on him. When the Leader of the Opposition was asked for a simple, straight answer on his position on One Nation preferences, was he willing to accept interjections? No! He ran for cover. He runs for the protection of Mr Speaker whenever he is on his feet and is not willing to take an interjection. Dr Gallop: I will tell you who he reminds me of. He reminds me of the member for Curtin. She disappears whenever things heat up. Mr KOBELKE: The statement by the Leader of the Opposition on the GST was clearly wrong. In 2000-01, state final demand contracted by one per cent. Growth in this State is expected to be less than half what it was in the previous year. In 2000-01, dwelling investment fell by 21 per cent, business investment by 11 per cent and consumer confidence declined, all because of the GST. The dead hand of the GST is stopping the growth of full-time jobs in Western Australia. A Beazley Labor Government provides hope that there will be real job growth in this State, on top of what the State Government will do.
Dr Gallop: I will tell you who he reminds me of. He reminds me of the member for Curtin. She disappears whenever things heat up. Mr KOBELKE: The statement by the Leader of the Opposition on the GST was clearly wrong. In 2000-01, state final demand contracted by one per cent. Growth in this State is expected to be less than half what it was in the previous year. In 2000-01, dwelling investment fell by 21 per cent, business investment by 11 per cent and consumer confidence declined, all because of the GST. The dead hand of the GST is stopping the growth of full-time jobs in Western Australia. A Beazley Labor Government provides hope that there will be real job growth in this State, on top of what the State Government will do.
Mr KOBELKE: The statement by the Leader of the Opposition on the GST was clearly wrong. In 2000-01, state final demand contracted by one per cent. Growth in this State is expected to be less than half what it was in the previous year. In 2000-01, dwelling investment fell by 21 per cent, business investment by 11 per cent and consumer confidence declined, all because of the GST. The dead hand of the GST is stopping the growth of full-time jobs in Western Australia. A Beazley Labor Government provides hope that there will be real job growth in this State, on top of what the State Government will do.
Mr KOBELKE replied: I thank the member for the question. Each month we look with interest to the Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, which give us some indication of what is happening with employment and unemployment in this State and across Australia. However, for some years I have not been able to determine what might be the outcome for Western Australia on the basis of one month’s figures. The figures jump around by a huge amount. There are big swings in both employment growth and unemployment on a month-to-month basis. I will put this month’s figures in the context of a year or two and the trend lines that can be reflected in this month’s figures. What the figures show is that total employment in Western Australia has edged up, but not by enough. Total employment has grown by about 0.9 per cent over the past 12 months. That means that 941 300 people are currently employed in Western Australia and the size of the state labour force exceeded one million people for the eleventh consecutive month. The most disturbing trend shown by the Australian Bureau of Statistics figures is that the number of full-time jobs has not grown. This has been the case for some time. This State, whose population and economy is growing, has not experienced any real growth in full-time jobs. That has been a concern for more than two years. Total employment seems to be going up - it has jumped up and down for two years - but there has been no net increase in full-time jobs. That is a concern which the Government must address. As members know, there is a lag between employment figures and what the State can do to create jobs. The big problem is that the dead hand of the goods and services tax is causing huge problems for small businesses in Western Australia, limiting their ability to take on people. On 29 March 2000, the Leader of the Opposition said in this place that - . . . the GST and the shift from direct to indirect taxation will have a net positive effect on this country’s economy. Clearly, a person can be wrong from time to time. In this instance, the Leader of the Opposition was wrong in a big way. In the 2000-01 financial year, state - Mr Barnett: If Kim Beazley wants to repeal the GST he can, but he will not do so. There is no way that he will do that. This is all puff. It is a joke. Mr KOBELKE: The Leader of the Opposition is full of puff and yell. He is bumptious, but he is not honest. I am happy to take the interjections of the Leader of the Opposition because I can easily handle them, but the Leader of the Opposition will not himself take interjections. He runs for the protection of the Chair. He interjects on members on this side - I am happy to have his interjections - but he is a quisling who goes for the protection of the Chair whenever someone interjects on him. When the Leader of the Opposition was asked for a simple, straight answer on his position on One Nation preferences, was he willing to accept interjections? No! He ran for cover. He runs for the protection of Mr Speaker whenever he is on his feet and is not willing to take an interjection. Dr Gallop: I will tell you who he reminds me of. He reminds me of the member for Curtin. She disappears whenever things heat up. Mr KOBELKE: The statement by the Leader of the Opposition on the GST was clearly wrong. In 2000-01, state final demand contracted by one per cent. Growth in this State is expected to be less than half what it was in the previous year. In 2000-01, dwelling investment fell by 21 per cent, business investment by 11 per cent and consumer confidence declined, all because of the GST. The dead hand of the GST is stopping the growth of full-time jobs in Western Australia. A Beazley Labor Government provides hope that there will be real job growth in this State, on top of what the State Government will do.
I thank the member for the question. Each month we look with interest to the Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, which give us some indication of what is happening with employment and unemployment in this State and across Australia. However, for some years I have not been able to determine what might be the outcome for Western Australia on the basis of one month’s figures. The figures jump around by a huge amount. There are big swings in both employment growth and unemployment on a month-to-month basis. I will put this month’s figures in the context of a year or two and the trend lines that can be reflected in this month’s figures. What the figures show is that total employment in Western Australia has edged up, but not by enough. Total employment has grown by about 0.9 per cent over the past 12 months. That means that 941 300 people are currently employed in Western Australia and the size of the state labour force exceeded one million people for the eleventh consecutive month. The most disturbing trend shown by the Australian Bureau of Statistics figures is that the number of full-time jobs has not grown. This has been the case for some time. This State, whose population and economy is growing, has not experienced any real growth in full-time jobs. That has been a concern for more than two years. Total employment seems to be going up - it has jumped up and down for two years - but there has been no net increase in full-time jobs. That is a concern which the Government must address. As members know, there is a lag between employment figures and what the State can do to create jobs. The big problem is that the dead hand of the goods and services tax is causing huge problems for small businesses in Western Australia, limiting their ability to take on people. On 29 March 2000, the Leader of the Opposition said in this place that - . . . the GST and the shift from direct to indirect taxation will have a net positive effect on this country’s economy. Clearly, a person can be wrong from time to time. In this instance, the Leader of the Opposition was wrong in a big way. In the 2000-01 financial year, state - Mr Barnett: If Kim Beazley wants to repeal the GST he can, but he will not do so. There is no way that he will do that. This is all puff. It is a joke. Mr KOBELKE: The Leader of the Opposition is full of puff and yell. He is bumptious, but he is not honest. I am happy to take the interjections of the Leader of the Opposition because I can easily handle them, but the Leader of the Opposition will not himself take interjections. He runs for the protection of the Chair. He interjects on members on this side - I am happy to have his interjections - but he is a quisling who goes for the protection of the Chair whenever someone interjects on him. When the Leader of the Opposition was asked for a simple, straight answer on his position on One Nation preferences, was he willing to accept interjections? No! He ran for cover. He runs for the protection of Mr Speaker whenever he is on his feet and is not willing to take an interjection. Dr Gallop: I will tell you who he reminds me of. He reminds me of the member for Curtin. She disappears whenever things heat up. Mr KOBELKE: The statement by the Leader of the Opposition on the GST was clearly wrong. In 2000-01, state final demand contracted by one per cent. Growth in this State is expected to be less than half what it was in the previous year. In 2000-01, dwelling investment fell by 21 per cent, business investment by 11 per cent and consumer confidence declined, all because of the GST. The dead hand of the GST is stopping the growth of full-time jobs in Western Australia. A Beazley Labor Government provides hope that there will be real job growth in this State, on top of what the State Government will do.
What the figures show is that total employment in Western Australia has edged up, but not by enough. Total employment has grown by about 0.9 per cent over the past 12 months. That means that 941 300 people are currently employed in Western Australia and the size of the state labour force exceeded one million people for the eleventh consecutive month. The most disturbing trend shown by the Australian Bureau of Statistics figures is that the number of full-time jobs has not grown. This has been the case for some time. This State, whose population and economy is growing, has not experienced any real growth in full-time jobs. That has been a concern for more than two years. Total employment seems to be going up - it has jumped up and down for two years - but there has been no net increase in full-time jobs. That is a concern which the Government must address. As members know, there is a lag between employment figures and what the State can do to create jobs. The big problem is that the dead hand of the goods and services tax is causing huge problems for small businesses in Western Australia, limiting their ability to take on people. On 29 March 2000, the Leader of the Opposition said in this place that - . . . the GST and the shift from direct to indirect taxation will have a net positive effect on this country’s economy. Clearly, a person can be wrong from time to time. In this instance, the Leader of the Opposition was wrong in a big way. In the 2000-01 financial year, state - Mr Barnett: If Kim Beazley wants to repeal the GST he can, but he will not do so. There is no way that he will do that. This is all puff. It is a joke. Mr KOBELKE: The Leader of the Opposition is full of puff and yell. He is bumptious, but he is not honest. I am happy to take the interjections of the Leader of the Opposition because I can easily handle them, but the Leader of the Opposition will not himself take interjections. He runs for the protection of the Chair. He interjects on members on this side - I am happy to have his interjections - but he is a quisling who goes for the protection of the Chair whenever someone interjects on him. When the Leader of the Opposition was asked for a simple, straight answer on his position on One Nation preferences, was he willing to accept interjections? No! He ran for cover. He runs for the protection of Mr Speaker whenever he is on his feet and is not willing to take an interjection. Dr Gallop: I will tell you who he reminds me of. He reminds me of the member for Curtin. She disappears whenever things heat up. Mr KOBELKE: The statement by the Leader of the Opposition on the GST was clearly wrong. In 2000-01, state final demand contracted by one per cent. Growth in this State is expected to be less than half what it was in the previous year. In 2000-01, dwelling investment fell by 21 per cent, business investment by 11 per cent and consumer confidence declined, all because of the GST. The dead hand of the GST is stopping the growth of full-time jobs in Western Australia. A Beazley Labor Government provides hope that there will be real job growth in this State, on top of what the State Government will do.
As members know, there is a lag between employment figures and what the State can do to create jobs. The big problem is that the dead hand of the goods and services tax is causing huge problems for small businesses in Western Australia, limiting their ability to take on people. On 29 March 2000, the Leader of the Opposition said in this place that - . . . the GST and the shift from direct to indirect taxation will have a net positive effect on this country’s economy. Clearly, a person can be wrong from time to time. In this instance, the Leader of the Opposition was wrong in a big way. In the 2000-01 financial year, state - Mr Barnett: If Kim Beazley wants to repeal the GST he can, but he will not do so. There is no way that he will do that. This is all puff. It is a joke. Mr KOBELKE: The Leader of the Opposition is full of puff and yell. He is bumptious, but he is not honest. I am happy to take the interjections of the Leader of the Opposition because I can easily handle them, but the Leader of the Opposition will not himself take interjections. He runs for the protection of the Chair. He interjects on members on this side - I am happy to have his interjections - but he is a quisling who goes for the protection of the Chair whenever someone interjects on him. When the Leader of the Opposition was asked for a simple, straight answer on his position on One Nation preferences, was he willing to accept interjections? No! He ran for cover. He runs for the protection of Mr Speaker whenever he is on his feet and is not willing to take an interjection. Dr Gallop: I will tell you who he reminds me of. He reminds me of the member for Curtin. She disappears whenever things heat up. Mr KOBELKE: The statement by the Leader of the Opposition on the GST was clearly wrong. In 2000-01, state final demand contracted by one per cent. Growth in this State is expected to be less than half what it was in the previous year. In 2000-01, dwelling investment fell by 21 per cent, business investment by 11 per cent and consumer confidence declined, all because of the GST. The dead hand of the GST is stopping the growth of full-time jobs in Western Australia. A Beazley Labor Government provides hope that there will be real job growth in this State, on top of what the State Government will do.
Mr Barnett: If Kim Beazley wants to repeal the GST he can, but he will not do so. There is no way that he will do that. This is all puff. It is a joke. Mr KOBELKE: The Leader of the Opposition is full of puff and yell. He is bumptious, but he is not honest. I am happy to take the interjections of the Leader of the Opposition because I can easily handle them, but the Leader of the Opposition will not himself take interjections. He runs for the protection of the Chair. He interjects on members on this side - I am happy to have his interjections - but he is a quisling who goes for the protection of the Chair whenever someone interjects on him. When the Leader of the Opposition was asked for a simple, straight answer on his position on One Nation preferences, was he willing to accept interjections? No! He ran for cover. He runs for the protection of Mr Speaker whenever he is on his feet and is not willing to take an interjection. Dr Gallop: I will tell you who he reminds me of. He reminds me of the member for Curtin. She disappears whenever things heat up. Mr KOBELKE: The statement by the Leader of the Opposition on the GST was clearly wrong. In 2000-01, state final demand contracted by one per cent. Growth in this State is expected to be less than half what it was in the previous year. In 2000-01, dwelling investment fell by 21 per cent, business investment by 11 per cent and consumer confidence declined, all because of the GST. The dead hand of the GST is stopping the growth of full-time jobs in Western Australia. A Beazley Labor Government provides hope that there will be real job growth in this State, on top of what the State Government will do.
Mr KOBELKE: The Leader of the Opposition is full of puff and yell. He is bumptious, but he is not honest. I am happy to take the interjections of the Leader of the Opposition because I can easily handle them, but the Leader of the Opposition will not himself take interjections. He runs for the protection of the Chair. He interjects on members on this side - I am happy to have his interjections - but he is a quisling who goes for the protection of the Chair whenever someone interjects on him. When the Leader of the Opposition was asked for a simple, straight answer on his position on One Nation preferences, was he willing to accept interjections? No! He ran for cover. He runs for the protection of Mr Speaker whenever he is on his feet and is not willing to take an interjection. Dr Gallop: I will tell you who he reminds me of. He reminds me of the member for Curtin. She disappears whenever things heat up. Mr KOBELKE: The statement by the Leader of the Opposition on the GST was clearly wrong. In 2000-01, state final demand contracted by one per cent. Growth in this State is expected to be less than half what it was in the previous year. In 2000-01, dwelling investment fell by 21 per cent, business investment by 11 per cent and consumer confidence declined, all because of the GST. The dead hand of the GST is stopping the growth of full-time jobs in Western Australia. A Beazley Labor Government provides hope that there will be real job growth in this State, on top of what the State Government will do.
Dr Gallop: I will tell you who he reminds me of. He reminds me of the member for Curtin. She disappears whenever things heat up. Mr KOBELKE: The statement by the Leader of the Opposition on the GST was clearly wrong. In 2000-01, state final demand contracted by one per cent. Growth in this State is expected to be less than half what it was in the previous year. In 2000-01, dwelling investment fell by 21 per cent, business investment by 11 per cent and consumer confidence declined, all because of the GST. The dead hand of the GST is stopping the growth of full-time jobs in Western Australia. A Beazley Labor Government provides hope that there will be real job growth in this State, on top of what the State Government will do.
Mr KOBELKE: The statement by the Leader of the Opposition on the GST was clearly wrong. In 2000-01, state final demand contracted by one per cent. Growth in this State is expected to be less than half what it was in the previous year. In 2000-01, dwelling investment fell by 21 per cent, business investment by 11 per cent and consumer confidence declined, all because of the GST. The dead hand of the GST is stopping the growth of full-time jobs in Western Australia. A Beazley Labor Government provides hope that there will be real job growth in this State, on top of what the State Government will do.
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