❓ Ms MacTiernan questions Minister Grylls about the Country Local Government Fund formula, alleging it unfairly benefits his electorate and contradicts WALGA's recommendations. Grylls defends the formula, stating it was developed collaboratively and equitably distributes funds, while accusing the opposition of planning to scrap the fund altogether.
AnsweredQoN 524Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION — COUNTRY LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUND
I refer to the Western Australian Local Government Association submission on the $400 million country local government fund, a document that the minister has repeatedly refused to release under freedom of information but one that we have fortunately now obtained a copy of. I also refer to the minister’s claim that the formula for this fund was developed in conjunction with WALGA and to his now demonstrably untrue claim that the formula used was the same as that used by the federal government in its grants. (1) Why did the minister not accept the WALGA formula that was based on need and the cost of delivery of service? (2) Will the minister acknowledge that by ditching this formula and substituting his own, he has slashed allocations to shires such as Derby-West Kimberley, Halls Creek, East Pilbara, Ashburton and Wyndham-East Kimberley while delivering more money to each and every one of the 20 shires in his own electorate? (3) Will the minister now release all documentation that was used in the preparation of this discredited formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS
I refer to the Western Australian Local Government Association submission on the $400 million country local government fund, a document that the minister has repeatedly refused to release under freedom of information but one that we have fortunately now obtained a copy of. I also refer to the minister’s claim that the formula for this fund was developed in conjunction with WALGA and to his now demonstrably untrue claim that the formula used was the same as that used by the federal government in its grants. (1) Why did the minister not accept the WALGA formula that was based on need and the cost of delivery of service? (2) Will the minister acknowledge that by ditching this formula and substituting his own, he has slashed allocations to shires such as Derby-West Kimberley, Halls Creek, East Pilbara, Ashburton and Wyndham-East Kimberley while delivering more money to each and every one of the 20 shires in his own electorate? (3) Will the minister now release all documentation that was used in the preparation of this discredited formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Armadale for the question. (1)-(3) I am happy to hear members put on the record that they plan on scrapping this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : No, we’ll scrap the formula. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : It is not about the formula at all. The formula is quite irrelevant if the shadow Treasurer has said on behalf of the Labor Party that it is planning on scrapping — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I am on my feet again. I call him to order formally for the first time. I also formally call to order the members for Joondalup and North West. I want to hear the minister’s answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
(1) Why did the minister not accept the WALGA formula that was based on need and the cost of delivery of service? (2) Will the minister acknowledge that by ditching this formula and substituting his own, he has slashed allocations to shires such as Derby-West Kimberley, Halls Creek, East Pilbara, Ashburton and Wyndham-East Kimberley while delivering more money to each and every one of the 20 shires in his own electorate? (3) Will the minister now release all documentation that was used in the preparation of this discredited formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for Armadale for the question. (1)-(3) I am happy to hear members put on the record that they plan on scrapping this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : No, we’ll scrap the formula. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : It is not about the formula at all. The formula is quite irrelevant if the shadow Treasurer has said on behalf of the Labor Party that it is planning on scrapping — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I am on my feet again. I call him to order formally for the first time. I also formally call to order the members for Joondalup and North West. I want to hear the minister’s answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
(2) Will the minister acknowledge that by ditching this formula and substituting his own, he has slashed allocations to shires such as Derby-West Kimberley, Halls Creek, East Pilbara, Ashburton and Wyndham-East Kimberley while delivering more money to each and every one of the 20 shires in his own electorate? (3) Will the minister now release all documentation that was used in the preparation of this discredited formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for Armadale for the question. (1)-(3) I am happy to hear members put on the record that they plan on scrapping this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : No, we’ll scrap the formula. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : It is not about the formula at all. The formula is quite irrelevant if the shadow Treasurer has said on behalf of the Labor Party that it is planning on scrapping — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I am on my feet again. I call him to order formally for the first time. I also formally call to order the members for Joondalup and North West. I want to hear the minister’s answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
(3) Will the minister now release all documentation that was used in the preparation of this discredited formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for Armadale for the question. (1)-(3) I am happy to hear members put on the record that they plan on scrapping this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : No, we’ll scrap the formula. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : It is not about the formula at all. The formula is quite irrelevant if the shadow Treasurer has said on behalf of the Labor Party that it is planning on scrapping — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I am on my feet again. I call him to order formally for the first time. I also formally call to order the members for Joondalup and North West. I want to hear the minister’s answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for Armadale for the question. (1)-(3) I am happy to hear members put on the record that they plan on scrapping this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : No, we’ll scrap the formula. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : It is not about the formula at all. The formula is quite irrelevant if the shadow Treasurer has said on behalf of the Labor Party that it is planning on scrapping — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I am on my feet again. I call him to order formally for the first time. I also formally call to order the members for Joondalup and North West. I want to hear the minister’s answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
I thank the member for Armadale for the question. (1)-(3) I am happy to hear members put on the record that they plan on scrapping this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : No, we’ll scrap the formula. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : It is not about the formula at all. The formula is quite irrelevant if the shadow Treasurer has said on behalf of the Labor Party that it is planning on scrapping — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I am on my feet again. I call him to order formally for the first time. I also formally call to order the members for Joondalup and North West. I want to hear the minister’s answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
(1)-(3) I am happy to hear members put on the record that they plan on scrapping this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : No, we’ll scrap the formula. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : It is not about the formula at all. The formula is quite irrelevant if the shadow Treasurer has said on behalf of the Labor Party that it is planning on scrapping — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I am on my feet again. I call him to order formally for the first time. I also formally call to order the members for Joondalup and North West. I want to hear the minister’s answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : No, we’ll scrap the formula. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : It is not about the formula at all. The formula is quite irrelevant if the shadow Treasurer has said on behalf of the Labor Party that it is planning on scrapping — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I am on my feet again. I call him to order formally for the first time. I also formally call to order the members for Joondalup and North West. I want to hear the minister’s answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : It is not about the formula at all. The formula is quite irrelevant if the shadow Treasurer has said on behalf of the Labor Party that it is planning on scrapping — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I am on my feet again. I call him to order formally for the first time. I also formally call to order the members for Joondalup and North West. I want to hear the minister’s answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I am on my feet again. I call him to order formally for the first time. I also formally call to order the members for Joondalup and North West. I want to hear the minister’s answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I am on my feet again. I call him to order formally for the first time. I also formally call to order the members for Joondalup and North West. I want to hear the minister’s answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
(1) Why did the minister not accept the WALGA formula that was based on need and the cost of delivery of service? (2) Will the minister acknowledge that by ditching this formula and substituting his own, he has slashed allocations to shires such as Derby-West Kimberley, Halls Creek, East Pilbara, Ashburton and Wyndham-East Kimberley while delivering more money to each and every one of the 20 shires in his own electorate? (3) Will the minister now release all documentation that was used in the preparation of this discredited formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for Armadale for the question. (1)-(3) I am happy to hear members put on the record that they plan on scrapping this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : No, we’ll scrap the formula. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : It is not about the formula at all. The formula is quite irrelevant if the shadow Treasurer has said on behalf of the Labor Party that it is planning on scrapping — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I am on my feet again. I call him to order formally for the first time. I also formally call to order the members for Joondalup and North West. I want to hear the minister’s answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
(2) Will the minister acknowledge that by ditching this formula and substituting his own, he has slashed allocations to shires such as Derby-West Kimberley, Halls Creek, East Pilbara, Ashburton and Wyndham-East Kimberley while delivering more money to each and every one of the 20 shires in his own electorate? (3) Will the minister now release all documentation that was used in the preparation of this discredited formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for Armadale for the question. (1)-(3) I am happy to hear members put on the record that they plan on scrapping this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : No, we’ll scrap the formula. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : It is not about the formula at all. The formula is quite irrelevant if the shadow Treasurer has said on behalf of the Labor Party that it is planning on scrapping — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I am on my feet again. I call him to order formally for the first time. I also formally call to order the members for Joondalup and North West. I want to hear the minister’s answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
(3) Will the minister now release all documentation that was used in the preparation of this discredited formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for Armadale for the question. (1)-(3) I am happy to hear members put on the record that they plan on scrapping this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : No, we’ll scrap the formula. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : It is not about the formula at all. The formula is quite irrelevant if the shadow Treasurer has said on behalf of the Labor Party that it is planning on scrapping — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I am on my feet again. I call him to order formally for the first time. I also formally call to order the members for Joondalup and North West. I want to hear the minister’s answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for Armadale for the question. (1)-(3) I am happy to hear members put on the record that they plan on scrapping this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : No, we’ll scrap the formula. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : It is not about the formula at all. The formula is quite irrelevant if the shadow Treasurer has said on behalf of the Labor Party that it is planning on scrapping — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I am on my feet again. I call him to order formally for the first time. I also formally call to order the members for Joondalup and North West. I want to hear the minister’s answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
I thank the member for Armadale for the question. (1)-(3) I am happy to hear members put on the record that they plan on scrapping this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : No, we’ll scrap the formula. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : It is not about the formula at all. The formula is quite irrelevant if the shadow Treasurer has said on behalf of the Labor Party that it is planning on scrapping — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I am on my feet again. I call him to order formally for the first time. I also formally call to order the members for Joondalup and North West. I want to hear the minister’s answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
(1)-(3) I am happy to hear members put on the record that they plan on scrapping this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : No, we’ll scrap the formula. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : It is not about the formula at all. The formula is quite irrelevant if the shadow Treasurer has said on behalf of the Labor Party that it is planning on scrapping — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I am on my feet again. I call him to order formally for the first time. I also formally call to order the members for Joondalup and North West. I want to hear the minister’s answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : No, we’ll scrap the formula. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : It is not about the formula at all. The formula is quite irrelevant if the shadow Treasurer has said on behalf of the Labor Party that it is planning on scrapping — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I am on my feet again. I call him to order formally for the first time. I also formally call to order the members for Joondalup and North West. I want to hear the minister’s answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : It is not about the formula at all. The formula is quite irrelevant if the shadow Treasurer has said on behalf of the Labor Party that it is planning on scrapping — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I am on my feet again. I call him to order formally for the first time. I also formally call to order the members for Joondalup and North West. I want to hear the minister’s answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I am on my feet again. I call him to order formally for the first time. I also formally call to order the members for Joondalup and North West. I want to hear the minister’s answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I am on my feet again. I call him to order formally for the first time. I also formally call to order the members for Joondalup and North West. I want to hear the minister’s answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : Members opposite have already said that local government funds will be a casualty when the Labor Party returns to the government benches some time in the future. I am absolutely comfortable with the formula that was used to calculate the country local government fund. The local government association provided some interim advice to me on a way to roll out the country local government fund. We looked at that advice. With the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development, we worked on that formula so that every one of the 110 local governments in regional Western Australia got an equitable distribution of funds. As I have said previously, that equitable distribution closely mirrors the distribution model used by the federal government. I do not have the graph with me today but I am happy to show it. The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
The country local government fund is now being rolled out in every one of those 110 communities for projects such as ablution facilities, parks, recreation facilities and heritage building upgrades—upgrades to all of that infrastructure that has been neglected for so long and which WALGA’s systemic sustainability study indicated was a major multibillion-dollar shortfall in infrastructure spend. WALGA made a submission. I then worked with the Minister for Local Government and the Department for Local Government and Regional Development to come up with a formula that could best allocate that $100 million. I then took that formula to cabinet for endorsement to distribute $100 million worth of funds. That formula has been used to inform all these councils of their allocation under the country local government fund. Further to that, we put to those councils, in an effort to encourage cooperation at a regional level, that in years 2, 3 and 4 of the plan, we would require local governments to work on a regional level to prioritise infrastructure projects and other projects in their communities. That is what will happen from 2009-10. I know that the member for Armadale does not like the formula. It is her right to not like the formula. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but you’ve lied about it. You have told the FOI commissioner that you have no documents in your office. Withdrawal of Remark The SPEAKER : Order, member for Armadale! I ask that the member withdraw the comment. Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Ms A.J.G. MacTIERNAN : I withdraw the accusation of lying. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I have not lied about it. I made it quite clear that the document — Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Who devised the formula? Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The Department of Local Government and Regional Development, the Minister for Local Government and I devised the formula. I know that the member does not like the formula; she does not like the fund. I have no problem if the member does not like the formula. I would have been very happy to see which formula she would have used; however, her formula is somewhat irrelevant now that her shadow Treasurer has scrapped the whole plan—$400 million worth of support for infrastructure and important projects in local government areas across the state has been scrapped. I am comfortable with the formula. I worked with both the department and the Minister for Local Government to develop that formula. I had that formula taken to cabinet and endorsed. It is a good formula and is delivering a fantastic outcome. The member does not like the fact that we are investing in regional communities. She does not like the fact that those regional communities are getting a benefit from this fund. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I don’t like you being the prince of pork. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : The member loves to say that, does she not? She does not talk about any pork with the $40 million of taxpayers’ money that was paid in the past month on the back of her failed contract to build the railway. She does not mention that very often. An amount of $40 million has gone and she does not even bat an eyelid. Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Do members know what I know? I know that every single dollar of that $100 million is going to deliver an outcome to local governments in regional Western Australia. I am very comfortable with the formula. I have defended the formula from day one. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, minister. I think I have had enough. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : I have a supplementary question. The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
The SPEAKER : There will be no supplementary question at this point. I formally call the member for Victoria Park for the second time and also the member for Kwinana. I urge the minister to finish his answer. Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS : I defend the formula used for the country local government fund. I am happy to see the rollout of that fund delivering great economic value to the community and job creation at a time when jobs are very precious in regional Western Australia.
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