Mr. Johnston questions the Premier on the regulatory mechanisms for private sector investment in new energy generation. The Premier deflects, criticizes a previous system's cost, and ultimately does not provide a direct answer.

AnsweredQoN 30Legislative Assembly
Asked
17 April 2013
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

SYNERGY AND VERVE — RE-MERGER
30. Mr W.J. JOHNSTON to the Premier:
I ask a supplementary question. Can the Premier describe the
regulatory mechanism that will be used to ensure that the private sector builds
that new generation and takes the risk involved in building that new
generation?

AnswerView source ↗

I do not think the member wants me to suspend standing orders
for three hours while we go through that, does he? I will give the member an
example. There is the Independent Market Operator. Okay? That is a regulator.
It costs $17 million a year. It controls two per cent of the market. That is
one of the costs of the former government's system—$17 million
to manage two per cent of the market.
Mr W.J. Johnston :
So what is your system?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
That $17 million is met by electricity consumers around the state. 
Mr W.J. Johnston :
So what is your system?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Oh? What is your system?
Mr W.J. Johnston :
That is what I asked. Can't you answer the question? That was the
question I asked.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Cannington! 
Mr W.J. Johnston : If
you can't answer the question, just say I don't know!
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
cannot answer that; if I am being interrupted, I certainly cannot.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more