❓ The WA State Development Minister responds to concerns about the federal Treasurer's call for businesses to leave WA, highlighting the state's strong economic performance and population growth, while criticising federal government support.
AnsweredQoN 75Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I note with utter disbelief recent calls by the federal Treasurer for businesses to move out of Western Australia and relocate interstate. I am sure the minister shares my shock. Will the minister advise the house about the state government’s response to this outrageous call? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Swan Hills for the question. I think everybody in the Parliament would have been most surprised, shocked, irate, disappointed - whatever - A government member: Outraged. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : - outraged at the performance of the federal Treasurer. Does anybody in this chamber believe that Peter Costello has Western Australia’s interests at heart? Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. Does anybody in this chamber believe that Peter Costello knows better than we in the state Parliament do what is good for WA? Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. I would not have thought so either. I will give the house a few statistics. People are queuing up to get into WA, not to get out of WA. In the year to September 2004, 16 224 people came to live in WA from overseas - overseas migration. That puts pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. That seems to have escaped the federal government. WA is also getting net internal migration from other states at something like 48 people a day. That is a lot, and it places a lot of pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. The assertion that WA is somehow uncompetitive for businesses is nonsense. Apart from the fact that WA now has some of the most competitive payroll tax rates, small business is voting with its feet. Small business growth in WA is four times the national average; that is, four times national growth. Perhaps Mr Costello should come from Victoria and look around WA to see what it is doing to stimulate the growth of small business, and go back over there. WA has a higher growth rate than the national economy. In 2004 it was 6.5 per cent, compared with just over five per cent for the national economy. In the 12 months to March 2005, employment increased by 3.4 per cent in WA, compared with the national figure of 2.6 per cent. Peter Costello could learn a thing or two by coming over to WA and talking to our Treasurer. Mr P.D. Omodei : It has absolutely nothing to do with the government, and you know it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Of course it has. Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Swan Hills for the question. I think everybody in the Parliament would have been most surprised, shocked, irate, disappointed - whatever - A government member: Outraged. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : - outraged at the performance of the federal Treasurer. Does anybody in this chamber believe that Peter Costello has Western Australia’s interests at heart? Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. Does anybody in this chamber believe that Peter Costello knows better than we in the state Parliament do what is good for WA? Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. I would not have thought so either. I will give the house a few statistics. People are queuing up to get into WA, not to get out of WA. In the year to September 2004, 16 224 people came to live in WA from overseas - overseas migration. That puts pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. That seems to have escaped the federal government. WA is also getting net internal migration from other states at something like 48 people a day. That is a lot, and it places a lot of pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. The assertion that WA is somehow uncompetitive for businesses is nonsense. Apart from the fact that WA now has some of the most competitive payroll tax rates, small business is voting with its feet. Small business growth in WA is four times the national average; that is, four times national growth. Perhaps Mr Costello should come from Victoria and look around WA to see what it is doing to stimulate the growth of small business, and go back over there. WA has a higher growth rate than the national economy. In 2004 it was 6.5 per cent, compared with just over five per cent for the national economy. In the 12 months to March 2005, employment increased by 3.4 per cent in WA, compared with the national figure of 2.6 per cent. Peter Costello could learn a thing or two by coming over to WA and talking to our Treasurer. Mr P.D. Omodei : It has absolutely nothing to do with the government, and you know it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Of course it has. Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
I thank the member for Swan Hills for the question. I think everybody in the Parliament would have been most surprised, shocked, irate, disappointed - whatever - A government member: Outraged. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : - outraged at the performance of the federal Treasurer. Does anybody in this chamber believe that Peter Costello has Western Australia’s interests at heart? Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. Does anybody in this chamber believe that Peter Costello knows better than we in the state Parliament do what is good for WA? Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. I would not have thought so either. I will give the house a few statistics. People are queuing up to get into WA, not to get out of WA. In the year to September 2004, 16 224 people came to live in WA from overseas - overseas migration. That puts pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. That seems to have escaped the federal government. WA is also getting net internal migration from other states at something like 48 people a day. That is a lot, and it places a lot of pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. The assertion that WA is somehow uncompetitive for businesses is nonsense. Apart from the fact that WA now has some of the most competitive payroll tax rates, small business is voting with its feet. Small business growth in WA is four times the national average; that is, four times national growth. Perhaps Mr Costello should come from Victoria and look around WA to see what it is doing to stimulate the growth of small business, and go back over there. WA has a higher growth rate than the national economy. In 2004 it was 6.5 per cent, compared with just over five per cent for the national economy. In the 12 months to March 2005, employment increased by 3.4 per cent in WA, compared with the national figure of 2.6 per cent. Peter Costello could learn a thing or two by coming over to WA and talking to our Treasurer. Mr P.D. Omodei : It has absolutely nothing to do with the government, and you know it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Of course it has. Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
A government member: Outraged. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : - outraged at the performance of the federal Treasurer. Does anybody in this chamber believe that Peter Costello has Western Australia’s interests at heart? Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. Does anybody in this chamber believe that Peter Costello knows better than we in the state Parliament do what is good for WA? Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. I would not have thought so either. I will give the house a few statistics. People are queuing up to get into WA, not to get out of WA. In the year to September 2004, 16 224 people came to live in WA from overseas - overseas migration. That puts pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. That seems to have escaped the federal government. WA is also getting net internal migration from other states at something like 48 people a day. That is a lot, and it places a lot of pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. The assertion that WA is somehow uncompetitive for businesses is nonsense. Apart from the fact that WA now has some of the most competitive payroll tax rates, small business is voting with its feet. Small business growth in WA is four times the national average; that is, four times national growth. Perhaps Mr Costello should come from Victoria and look around WA to see what it is doing to stimulate the growth of small business, and go back over there. WA has a higher growth rate than the national economy. In 2004 it was 6.5 per cent, compared with just over five per cent for the national economy. In the 12 months to March 2005, employment increased by 3.4 per cent in WA, compared with the national figure of 2.6 per cent. Peter Costello could learn a thing or two by coming over to WA and talking to our Treasurer. Mr P.D. Omodei : It has absolutely nothing to do with the government, and you know it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Of course it has. Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : - outraged at the performance of the federal Treasurer. Does anybody in this chamber believe that Peter Costello has Western Australia’s interests at heart? Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. Does anybody in this chamber believe that Peter Costello knows better than we in the state Parliament do what is good for WA? Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. I would not have thought so either. I will give the house a few statistics. People are queuing up to get into WA, not to get out of WA. In the year to September 2004, 16 224 people came to live in WA from overseas - overseas migration. That puts pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. That seems to have escaped the federal government. WA is also getting net internal migration from other states at something like 48 people a day. That is a lot, and it places a lot of pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. The assertion that WA is somehow uncompetitive for businesses is nonsense. Apart from the fact that WA now has some of the most competitive payroll tax rates, small business is voting with its feet. Small business growth in WA is four times the national average; that is, four times national growth. Perhaps Mr Costello should come from Victoria and look around WA to see what it is doing to stimulate the growth of small business, and go back over there. WA has a higher growth rate than the national economy. In 2004 it was 6.5 per cent, compared with just over five per cent for the national economy. In the 12 months to March 2005, employment increased by 3.4 per cent in WA, compared with the national figure of 2.6 per cent. Peter Costello could learn a thing or two by coming over to WA and talking to our Treasurer. Mr P.D. Omodei : It has absolutely nothing to do with the government, and you know it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Of course it has. Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. Does anybody in this chamber believe that Peter Costello knows better than we in the state Parliament do what is good for WA? Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. I would not have thought so either. I will give the house a few statistics. People are queuing up to get into WA, not to get out of WA. In the year to September 2004, 16 224 people came to live in WA from overseas - overseas migration. That puts pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. That seems to have escaped the federal government. WA is also getting net internal migration from other states at something like 48 people a day. That is a lot, and it places a lot of pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. The assertion that WA is somehow uncompetitive for businesses is nonsense. Apart from the fact that WA now has some of the most competitive payroll tax rates, small business is voting with its feet. Small business growth in WA is four times the national average; that is, four times national growth. Perhaps Mr Costello should come from Victoria and look around WA to see what it is doing to stimulate the growth of small business, and go back over there. WA has a higher growth rate than the national economy. In 2004 it was 6.5 per cent, compared with just over five per cent for the national economy. In the 12 months to March 2005, employment increased by 3.4 per cent in WA, compared with the national figure of 2.6 per cent. Peter Costello could learn a thing or two by coming over to WA and talking to our Treasurer. Mr P.D. Omodei : It has absolutely nothing to do with the government, and you know it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Of course it has. Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. Does anybody in this chamber believe that Peter Costello knows better than we in the state Parliament do what is good for WA? Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. I would not have thought so either. I will give the house a few statistics. People are queuing up to get into WA, not to get out of WA. In the year to September 2004, 16 224 people came to live in WA from overseas - overseas migration. That puts pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. That seems to have escaped the federal government. WA is also getting net internal migration from other states at something like 48 people a day. That is a lot, and it places a lot of pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. The assertion that WA is somehow uncompetitive for businesses is nonsense. Apart from the fact that WA now has some of the most competitive payroll tax rates, small business is voting with its feet. Small business growth in WA is four times the national average; that is, four times national growth. Perhaps Mr Costello should come from Victoria and look around WA to see what it is doing to stimulate the growth of small business, and go back over there. WA has a higher growth rate than the national economy. In 2004 it was 6.5 per cent, compared with just over five per cent for the national economy. In the 12 months to March 2005, employment increased by 3.4 per cent in WA, compared with the national figure of 2.6 per cent. Peter Costello could learn a thing or two by coming over to WA and talking to our Treasurer. Mr P.D. Omodei : It has absolutely nothing to do with the government, and you know it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Of course it has. Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. I would not have thought so either. I will give the house a few statistics. People are queuing up to get into WA, not to get out of WA. In the year to September 2004, 16 224 people came to live in WA from overseas - overseas migration. That puts pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. That seems to have escaped the federal government. WA is also getting net internal migration from other states at something like 48 people a day. That is a lot, and it places a lot of pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. The assertion that WA is somehow uncompetitive for businesses is nonsense. Apart from the fact that WA now has some of the most competitive payroll tax rates, small business is voting with its feet. Small business growth in WA is four times the national average; that is, four times national growth. Perhaps Mr Costello should come from Victoria and look around WA to see what it is doing to stimulate the growth of small business, and go back over there. WA has a higher growth rate than the national economy. In 2004 it was 6.5 per cent, compared with just over five per cent for the national economy. In the 12 months to March 2005, employment increased by 3.4 per cent in WA, compared with the national figure of 2.6 per cent. Peter Costello could learn a thing or two by coming over to WA and talking to our Treasurer. Mr P.D. Omodei : It has absolutely nothing to do with the government, and you know it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Of course it has. Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. I would not have thought so either. I will give the house a few statistics. People are queuing up to get into WA, not to get out of WA. In the year to September 2004, 16 224 people came to live in WA from overseas - overseas migration. That puts pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. That seems to have escaped the federal government. WA is also getting net internal migration from other states at something like 48 people a day. That is a lot, and it places a lot of pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. The assertion that WA is somehow uncompetitive for businesses is nonsense. Apart from the fact that WA now has some of the most competitive payroll tax rates, small business is voting with its feet. Small business growth in WA is four times the national average; that is, four times national growth. Perhaps Mr Costello should come from Victoria and look around WA to see what it is doing to stimulate the growth of small business, and go back over there. WA has a higher growth rate than the national economy. In 2004 it was 6.5 per cent, compared with just over five per cent for the national economy. In the 12 months to March 2005, employment increased by 3.4 per cent in WA, compared with the national figure of 2.6 per cent. Peter Costello could learn a thing or two by coming over to WA and talking to our Treasurer. Mr P.D. Omodei : It has absolutely nothing to do with the government, and you know it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Of course it has. Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
Mr P.D. Omodei : It has absolutely nothing to do with the government, and you know it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Of course it has. Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Of course it has. Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Swan Hills for the question. I think everybody in the Parliament would have been most surprised, shocked, irate, disappointed - whatever - A government member: Outraged. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : - outraged at the performance of the federal Treasurer. Does anybody in this chamber believe that Peter Costello has Western Australia’s interests at heart? Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. Does anybody in this chamber believe that Peter Costello knows better than we in the state Parliament do what is good for WA? Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. I would not have thought so either. I will give the house a few statistics. People are queuing up to get into WA, not to get out of WA. In the year to September 2004, 16 224 people came to live in WA from overseas - overseas migration. That puts pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. That seems to have escaped the federal government. WA is also getting net internal migration from other states at something like 48 people a day. That is a lot, and it places a lot of pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. The assertion that WA is somehow uncompetitive for businesses is nonsense. Apart from the fact that WA now has some of the most competitive payroll tax rates, small business is voting with its feet. Small business growth in WA is four times the national average; that is, four times national growth. Perhaps Mr Costello should come from Victoria and look around WA to see what it is doing to stimulate the growth of small business, and go back over there. WA has a higher growth rate than the national economy. In 2004 it was 6.5 per cent, compared with just over five per cent for the national economy. In the 12 months to March 2005, employment increased by 3.4 per cent in WA, compared with the national figure of 2.6 per cent. Peter Costello could learn a thing or two by coming over to WA and talking to our Treasurer. Mr P.D. Omodei : It has absolutely nothing to do with the government, and you know it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Of course it has. Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
I thank the member for Swan Hills for the question. I think everybody in the Parliament would have been most surprised, shocked, irate, disappointed - whatever - A government member: Outraged. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : - outraged at the performance of the federal Treasurer. Does anybody in this chamber believe that Peter Costello has Western Australia’s interests at heart? Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. Does anybody in this chamber believe that Peter Costello knows better than we in the state Parliament do what is good for WA? Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. I would not have thought so either. I will give the house a few statistics. People are queuing up to get into WA, not to get out of WA. In the year to September 2004, 16 224 people came to live in WA from overseas - overseas migration. That puts pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. That seems to have escaped the federal government. WA is also getting net internal migration from other states at something like 48 people a day. That is a lot, and it places a lot of pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. The assertion that WA is somehow uncompetitive for businesses is nonsense. Apart from the fact that WA now has some of the most competitive payroll tax rates, small business is voting with its feet. Small business growth in WA is four times the national average; that is, four times national growth. Perhaps Mr Costello should come from Victoria and look around WA to see what it is doing to stimulate the growth of small business, and go back over there. WA has a higher growth rate than the national economy. In 2004 it was 6.5 per cent, compared with just over five per cent for the national economy. In the 12 months to March 2005, employment increased by 3.4 per cent in WA, compared with the national figure of 2.6 per cent. Peter Costello could learn a thing or two by coming over to WA and talking to our Treasurer. Mr P.D. Omodei : It has absolutely nothing to do with the government, and you know it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Of course it has. Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
A government member: Outraged. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : - outraged at the performance of the federal Treasurer. Does anybody in this chamber believe that Peter Costello has Western Australia’s interests at heart? Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. Does anybody in this chamber believe that Peter Costello knows better than we in the state Parliament do what is good for WA? Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. I would not have thought so either. I will give the house a few statistics. People are queuing up to get into WA, not to get out of WA. In the year to September 2004, 16 224 people came to live in WA from overseas - overseas migration. That puts pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. That seems to have escaped the federal government. WA is also getting net internal migration from other states at something like 48 people a day. That is a lot, and it places a lot of pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. The assertion that WA is somehow uncompetitive for businesses is nonsense. Apart from the fact that WA now has some of the most competitive payroll tax rates, small business is voting with its feet. Small business growth in WA is four times the national average; that is, four times national growth. Perhaps Mr Costello should come from Victoria and look around WA to see what it is doing to stimulate the growth of small business, and go back over there. WA has a higher growth rate than the national economy. In 2004 it was 6.5 per cent, compared with just over five per cent for the national economy. In the 12 months to March 2005, employment increased by 3.4 per cent in WA, compared with the national figure of 2.6 per cent. Peter Costello could learn a thing or two by coming over to WA and talking to our Treasurer. Mr P.D. Omodei : It has absolutely nothing to do with the government, and you know it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Of course it has. Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : - outraged at the performance of the federal Treasurer. Does anybody in this chamber believe that Peter Costello has Western Australia’s interests at heart? Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. Does anybody in this chamber believe that Peter Costello knows better than we in the state Parliament do what is good for WA? Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. I would not have thought so either. I will give the house a few statistics. People are queuing up to get into WA, not to get out of WA. In the year to September 2004, 16 224 people came to live in WA from overseas - overseas migration. That puts pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. That seems to have escaped the federal government. WA is also getting net internal migration from other states at something like 48 people a day. That is a lot, and it places a lot of pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. The assertion that WA is somehow uncompetitive for businesses is nonsense. Apart from the fact that WA now has some of the most competitive payroll tax rates, small business is voting with its feet. Small business growth in WA is four times the national average; that is, four times national growth. Perhaps Mr Costello should come from Victoria and look around WA to see what it is doing to stimulate the growth of small business, and go back over there. WA has a higher growth rate than the national economy. In 2004 it was 6.5 per cent, compared with just over five per cent for the national economy. In the 12 months to March 2005, employment increased by 3.4 per cent in WA, compared with the national figure of 2.6 per cent. Peter Costello could learn a thing or two by coming over to WA and talking to our Treasurer. Mr P.D. Omodei : It has absolutely nothing to do with the government, and you know it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Of course it has. Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. Does anybody in this chamber believe that Peter Costello knows better than we in the state Parliament do what is good for WA? Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. I would not have thought so either. I will give the house a few statistics. People are queuing up to get into WA, not to get out of WA. In the year to September 2004, 16 224 people came to live in WA from overseas - overseas migration. That puts pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. That seems to have escaped the federal government. WA is also getting net internal migration from other states at something like 48 people a day. That is a lot, and it places a lot of pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. The assertion that WA is somehow uncompetitive for businesses is nonsense. Apart from the fact that WA now has some of the most competitive payroll tax rates, small business is voting with its feet. Small business growth in WA is four times the national average; that is, four times national growth. Perhaps Mr Costello should come from Victoria and look around WA to see what it is doing to stimulate the growth of small business, and go back over there. WA has a higher growth rate than the national economy. In 2004 it was 6.5 per cent, compared with just over five per cent for the national economy. In the 12 months to March 2005, employment increased by 3.4 per cent in WA, compared with the national figure of 2.6 per cent. Peter Costello could learn a thing or two by coming over to WA and talking to our Treasurer. Mr P.D. Omodei : It has absolutely nothing to do with the government, and you know it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Of course it has. Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There we go. Does anybody in this chamber believe that Peter Costello knows better than we in the state Parliament do what is good for WA? Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. I would not have thought so either. I will give the house a few statistics. People are queuing up to get into WA, not to get out of WA. In the year to September 2004, 16 224 people came to live in WA from overseas - overseas migration. That puts pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. That seems to have escaped the federal government. WA is also getting net internal migration from other states at something like 48 people a day. That is a lot, and it places a lot of pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. The assertion that WA is somehow uncompetitive for businesses is nonsense. Apart from the fact that WA now has some of the most competitive payroll tax rates, small business is voting with its feet. Small business growth in WA is four times the national average; that is, four times national growth. Perhaps Mr Costello should come from Victoria and look around WA to see what it is doing to stimulate the growth of small business, and go back over there. WA has a higher growth rate than the national economy. In 2004 it was 6.5 per cent, compared with just over five per cent for the national economy. In the 12 months to March 2005, employment increased by 3.4 per cent in WA, compared with the national figure of 2.6 per cent. Peter Costello could learn a thing or two by coming over to WA and talking to our Treasurer. Mr P.D. Omodei : It has absolutely nothing to do with the government, and you know it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Of course it has. Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
Government members: No! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. I would not have thought so either. I will give the house a few statistics. People are queuing up to get into WA, not to get out of WA. In the year to September 2004, 16 224 people came to live in WA from overseas - overseas migration. That puts pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. That seems to have escaped the federal government. WA is also getting net internal migration from other states at something like 48 people a day. That is a lot, and it places a lot of pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. The assertion that WA is somehow uncompetitive for businesses is nonsense. Apart from the fact that WA now has some of the most competitive payroll tax rates, small business is voting with its feet. Small business growth in WA is four times the national average; that is, four times national growth. Perhaps Mr Costello should come from Victoria and look around WA to see what it is doing to stimulate the growth of small business, and go back over there. WA has a higher growth rate than the national economy. In 2004 it was 6.5 per cent, compared with just over five per cent for the national economy. In the 12 months to March 2005, employment increased by 3.4 per cent in WA, compared with the national figure of 2.6 per cent. Peter Costello could learn a thing or two by coming over to WA and talking to our Treasurer. Mr P.D. Omodei : It has absolutely nothing to do with the government, and you know it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Of course it has. Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : No. I would not have thought so either. I will give the house a few statistics. People are queuing up to get into WA, not to get out of WA. In the year to September 2004, 16 224 people came to live in WA from overseas - overseas migration. That puts pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. That seems to have escaped the federal government. WA is also getting net internal migration from other states at something like 48 people a day. That is a lot, and it places a lot of pressure on us for the provision of infrastructure. The assertion that WA is somehow uncompetitive for businesses is nonsense. Apart from the fact that WA now has some of the most competitive payroll tax rates, small business is voting with its feet. Small business growth in WA is four times the national average; that is, four times national growth. Perhaps Mr Costello should come from Victoria and look around WA to see what it is doing to stimulate the growth of small business, and go back over there. WA has a higher growth rate than the national economy. In 2004 it was 6.5 per cent, compared with just over five per cent for the national economy. In the 12 months to March 2005, employment increased by 3.4 per cent in WA, compared with the national figure of 2.6 per cent. Peter Costello could learn a thing or two by coming over to WA and talking to our Treasurer. Mr P.D. Omodei : It has absolutely nothing to do with the government, and you know it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Of course it has. Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
Mr P.D. Omodei : It has absolutely nothing to do with the government, and you know it. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Of course it has. Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Of course it has. Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
Mr P.D. Omodei : The state of Western Australia grows and prospers despite the government. You know that. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Even vignerons know they are on to a good deal. It began with Richard Court in response to the agreement on the goods and services tax. The Western Australian government has abolished more taxes than any other government in the country. It has probably abolished more taxes than any other government in history. We have abolished eight taxes. That is why we are doing so well in this state; we are responding to local needs and the local situation. That is why we were re-elected. People recognised the fact that we were responding to their needs and interests. Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
Members on this side of the house do not want to surrender our sovereignty to Canberra. I was very disappointed with the Leader of the Opposition’s comments on taxation. He does not seem to understand what will happen when WA surrenders its fiscal sovereignty to the national government. We will end up being a little puppet dangling on the end of the string that the national government pulls. If we get into that situation, we will regret it, no matter who is in government and on this side of the chamber. One need only look at the commonwealth’s response now to our plea for assistance in the provision of infrastructure to see what the future will hold if we go down that path. The commonwealth basically says that there is no support for us; we should pay for it ourselves. This state government has a very good record on taxation, financial management and stimulating business growth. It is leading the country, and that is the way we intend to continue.
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