❓ WA Treasurer responds to concerns about Federal Treasurer's statement on the commodity boom, highlighting WA's prudent economic management and potential risks to the state's economy and skills shortage if Costello is wrong.
AnsweredQoN 830Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
FEDERAL TREASURER PETER COSTELLO - COMMODITY BOOM
Federal Treasurer Peter Costello said in today’s press that the commodity boom is over. What impact will his comments have in Western Australia? Mr E.S. RIPPER
Federal Treasurer Peter Costello said in today’s press that the commodity boom is over. What impact will his comments have in Western Australia? Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
If Peter Costello is right, his comments will reinforce the need for prudent economic management in Western Australia. Those comments, if he is right, reinforce the need to budget for tomorrow and not just today, which is, of course, what the government is doing. We are delivering services; we are delivering tax cuts; we are delivering infrastructure; and we are delivering debt reduction in a responsible and affordable manner. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition says no, we are not. Another tax cut is coming. The government will abolish rental duty on 1 January 2007. That tax cut will be made in just a little while. We have done all this while we have been keeping an eye on the future. The government is not behaving as though the boom will last forever. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Deputy Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER : There is another alternative, which is that Peter Costello is wrong and that the boom has not ended. We should note what has happened with the stock market. The Australian on its Internet site today states that the Australian stock market closed at a record high today, boosted by big mining stocks. That might indicate that perhaps Peter Costello is wrong. If he is wrong, his comments have the potential to do enormous damage to the Western Australian economy. If he is wrong, his comments will sabotage our efforts to overcome skills shortages in Western Australia. If Peter Costello is sending out the message that people should not worry about coming to WA because the boom is over, that will sabotage our recruitment efforts. In fact, that could end up being a self-fulfilling prophecy. The shortage of skilled workers is a critical issue which, if it is not tackled, could bring a premature end to the boom. My view is that the boom will not last forever and the government must have an eye on the future when making its decisions. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I believe we can extend the life of the boom by addressing the skills shortage. That is what we are doing. There will be more apprentices and more resources for apprentices and training generally, reform in the training system, a recruitment blitz on the eastern seaboard, and efforts to get the federal government to direct more skilled migrants to Western Australia. We are acting to overcome skills shortages to the extent that we can. We are trying to get more capacity into our construction industry. I have met with global construction companies and have encouraged them to come to Western Australia and to participate in the opportunities offered by our economic boom. In view of the potential damage to the state arising from Peter Costello’s comments, I think he should reflect very seriously on the impact his comments might have. He should not be thinking only about New South Wales and Victoria; he should not be thinking only about trying to discourage the Reserve Bank from putting up interest rates. He should be thinking about circumstances in WA as well. I wonder whether he has any economic analysis to back up his comments. I challenge Peter Costello to release the economic analysis if he thinks he is right about the boom.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: If Peter Costello is right, his comments will reinforce the need for prudent economic management in Western Australia. Those comments, if he is right, reinforce the need to budget for tomorrow and not just today, which is, of course, what the government is doing. We are delivering services; we are delivering tax cuts; we are delivering infrastructure; and we are delivering debt reduction in a responsible and affordable manner. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition says no, we are not. Another tax cut is coming. The government will abolish rental duty on 1 January 2007. That tax cut will be made in just a little while. We have done all this while we have been keeping an eye on the future. The government is not behaving as though the boom will last forever. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Deputy Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER : There is another alternative, which is that Peter Costello is wrong and that the boom has not ended. We should note what has happened with the stock market. The Australian on its Internet site today states that the Australian stock market closed at a record high today, boosted by big mining stocks. That might indicate that perhaps Peter Costello is wrong. If he is wrong, his comments have the potential to do enormous damage to the Western Australian economy. If he is wrong, his comments will sabotage our efforts to overcome skills shortages in Western Australia. If Peter Costello is sending out the message that people should not worry about coming to WA because the boom is over, that will sabotage our recruitment efforts. In fact, that could end up being a self-fulfilling prophecy. The shortage of skilled workers is a critical issue which, if it is not tackled, could bring a premature end to the boom. My view is that the boom will not last forever and the government must have an eye on the future when making its decisions. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I believe we can extend the life of the boom by addressing the skills shortage. That is what we are doing. There will be more apprentices and more resources for apprentices and training generally, reform in the training system, a recruitment blitz on the eastern seaboard, and efforts to get the federal government to direct more skilled migrants to Western Australia. We are acting to overcome skills shortages to the extent that we can. We are trying to get more capacity into our construction industry. I have met with global construction companies and have encouraged them to come to Western Australia and to participate in the opportunities offered by our economic boom. In view of the potential damage to the state arising from Peter Costello’s comments, I think he should reflect very seriously on the impact his comments might have. He should not be thinking only about New South Wales and Victoria; he should not be thinking only about trying to discourage the Reserve Bank from putting up interest rates. He should be thinking about circumstances in WA as well. I wonder whether he has any economic analysis to back up his comments. I challenge Peter Costello to release the economic analysis if he thinks he is right about the boom.
If Peter Costello is right, his comments will reinforce the need for prudent economic management in Western Australia. Those comments, if he is right, reinforce the need to budget for tomorrow and not just today, which is, of course, what the government is doing. We are delivering services; we are delivering tax cuts; we are delivering infrastructure; and we are delivering debt reduction in a responsible and affordable manner. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition says no, we are not. Another tax cut is coming. The government will abolish rental duty on 1 January 2007. That tax cut will be made in just a little while. We have done all this while we have been keeping an eye on the future. The government is not behaving as though the boom will last forever. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Deputy Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER : There is another alternative, which is that Peter Costello is wrong and that the boom has not ended. We should note what has happened with the stock market. The Australian on its Internet site today states that the Australian stock market closed at a record high today, boosted by big mining stocks. That might indicate that perhaps Peter Costello is wrong. If he is wrong, his comments have the potential to do enormous damage to the Western Australian economy. If he is wrong, his comments will sabotage our efforts to overcome skills shortages in Western Australia. If Peter Costello is sending out the message that people should not worry about coming to WA because the boom is over, that will sabotage our recruitment efforts. In fact, that could end up being a self-fulfilling prophecy. The shortage of skilled workers is a critical issue which, if it is not tackled, could bring a premature end to the boom. My view is that the boom will not last forever and the government must have an eye on the future when making its decisions. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I believe we can extend the life of the boom by addressing the skills shortage. That is what we are doing. There will be more apprentices and more resources for apprentices and training generally, reform in the training system, a recruitment blitz on the eastern seaboard, and efforts to get the federal government to direct more skilled migrants to Western Australia. We are acting to overcome skills shortages to the extent that we can. We are trying to get more capacity into our construction industry. I have met with global construction companies and have encouraged them to come to Western Australia and to participate in the opportunities offered by our economic boom. In view of the potential damage to the state arising from Peter Costello’s comments, I think he should reflect very seriously on the impact his comments might have. He should not be thinking only about New South Wales and Victoria; he should not be thinking only about trying to discourage the Reserve Bank from putting up interest rates. He should be thinking about circumstances in WA as well. I wonder whether he has any economic analysis to back up his comments. I challenge Peter Costello to release the economic analysis if he thinks he is right about the boom.
Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Deputy Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER : There is another alternative, which is that Peter Costello is wrong and that the boom has not ended. We should note what has happened with the stock market. The Australian on its Internet site today states that the Australian stock market closed at a record high today, boosted by big mining stocks. That might indicate that perhaps Peter Costello is wrong. If he is wrong, his comments have the potential to do enormous damage to the Western Australian economy. If he is wrong, his comments will sabotage our efforts to overcome skills shortages in Western Australia. If Peter Costello is sending out the message that people should not worry about coming to WA because the boom is over, that will sabotage our recruitment efforts. In fact, that could end up being a self-fulfilling prophecy. The shortage of skilled workers is a critical issue which, if it is not tackled, could bring a premature end to the boom. My view is that the boom will not last forever and the government must have an eye on the future when making its decisions. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I believe we can extend the life of the boom by addressing the skills shortage. That is what we are doing. There will be more apprentices and more resources for apprentices and training generally, reform in the training system, a recruitment blitz on the eastern seaboard, and efforts to get the federal government to direct more skilled migrants to Western Australia. We are acting to overcome skills shortages to the extent that we can. We are trying to get more capacity into our construction industry. I have met with global construction companies and have encouraged them to come to Western Australia and to participate in the opportunities offered by our economic boom. In view of the potential damage to the state arising from Peter Costello’s comments, I think he should reflect very seriously on the impact his comments might have. He should not be thinking only about New South Wales and Victoria; he should not be thinking only about trying to discourage the Reserve Bank from putting up interest rates. He should be thinking about circumstances in WA as well. I wonder whether he has any economic analysis to back up his comments. I challenge Peter Costello to release the economic analysis if he thinks he is right about the boom.
The SPEAKER : Order, Deputy Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER : There is another alternative, which is that Peter Costello is wrong and that the boom has not ended. We should note what has happened with the stock market. The Australian on its Internet site today states that the Australian stock market closed at a record high today, boosted by big mining stocks. That might indicate that perhaps Peter Costello is wrong. If he is wrong, his comments have the potential to do enormous damage to the Western Australian economy. If he is wrong, his comments will sabotage our efforts to overcome skills shortages in Western Australia. If Peter Costello is sending out the message that people should not worry about coming to WA because the boom is over, that will sabotage our recruitment efforts. In fact, that could end up being a self-fulfilling prophecy. The shortage of skilled workers is a critical issue which, if it is not tackled, could bring a premature end to the boom. My view is that the boom will not last forever and the government must have an eye on the future when making its decisions. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I believe we can extend the life of the boom by addressing the skills shortage. That is what we are doing. There will be more apprentices and more resources for apprentices and training generally, reform in the training system, a recruitment blitz on the eastern seaboard, and efforts to get the federal government to direct more skilled migrants to Western Australia. We are acting to overcome skills shortages to the extent that we can. We are trying to get more capacity into our construction industry. I have met with global construction companies and have encouraged them to come to Western Australia and to participate in the opportunities offered by our economic boom. In view of the potential damage to the state arising from Peter Costello’s comments, I think he should reflect very seriously on the impact his comments might have. He should not be thinking only about New South Wales and Victoria; he should not be thinking only about trying to discourage the Reserve Bank from putting up interest rates. He should be thinking about circumstances in WA as well. I wonder whether he has any economic analysis to back up his comments. I challenge Peter Costello to release the economic analysis if he thinks he is right about the boom.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : There is another alternative, which is that Peter Costello is wrong and that the boom has not ended. We should note what has happened with the stock market. The Australian on its Internet site today states that the Australian stock market closed at a record high today, boosted by big mining stocks. That might indicate that perhaps Peter Costello is wrong. If he is wrong, his comments have the potential to do enormous damage to the Western Australian economy. If he is wrong, his comments will sabotage our efforts to overcome skills shortages in Western Australia. If Peter Costello is sending out the message that people should not worry about coming to WA because the boom is over, that will sabotage our recruitment efforts. In fact, that could end up being a self-fulfilling prophecy. The shortage of skilled workers is a critical issue which, if it is not tackled, could bring a premature end to the boom. My view is that the boom will not last forever and the government must have an eye on the future when making its decisions. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I believe we can extend the life of the boom by addressing the skills shortage. That is what we are doing. There will be more apprentices and more resources for apprentices and training generally, reform in the training system, a recruitment blitz on the eastern seaboard, and efforts to get the federal government to direct more skilled migrants to Western Australia. We are acting to overcome skills shortages to the extent that we can. We are trying to get more capacity into our construction industry. I have met with global construction companies and have encouraged them to come to Western Australia and to participate in the opportunities offered by our economic boom. In view of the potential damage to the state arising from Peter Costello’s comments, I think he should reflect very seriously on the impact his comments might have. He should not be thinking only about New South Wales and Victoria; he should not be thinking only about trying to discourage the Reserve Bank from putting up interest rates. He should be thinking about circumstances in WA as well. I wonder whether he has any economic analysis to back up his comments. I challenge Peter Costello to release the economic analysis if he thinks he is right about the boom.
My view is that the boom will not last forever and the government must have an eye on the future when making its decisions. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I believe we can extend the life of the boom by addressing the skills shortage. That is what we are doing. There will be more apprentices and more resources for apprentices and training generally, reform in the training system, a recruitment blitz on the eastern seaboard, and efforts to get the federal government to direct more skilled migrants to Western Australia. We are acting to overcome skills shortages to the extent that we can. We are trying to get more capacity into our construction industry. I have met with global construction companies and have encouraged them to come to Western Australia and to participate in the opportunities offered by our economic boom. In view of the potential damage to the state arising from Peter Costello’s comments, I think he should reflect very seriously on the impact his comments might have. He should not be thinking only about New South Wales and Victoria; he should not be thinking only about trying to discourage the Reserve Bank from putting up interest rates. He should be thinking about circumstances in WA as well. I wonder whether he has any economic analysis to back up his comments. I challenge Peter Costello to release the economic analysis if he thinks he is right about the boom.
Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I believe we can extend the life of the boom by addressing the skills shortage. That is what we are doing. There will be more apprentices and more resources for apprentices and training generally, reform in the training system, a recruitment blitz on the eastern seaboard, and efforts to get the federal government to direct more skilled migrants to Western Australia. We are acting to overcome skills shortages to the extent that we can. We are trying to get more capacity into our construction industry. I have met with global construction companies and have encouraged them to come to Western Australia and to participate in the opportunities offered by our economic boom. In view of the potential damage to the state arising from Peter Costello’s comments, I think he should reflect very seriously on the impact his comments might have. He should not be thinking only about New South Wales and Victoria; he should not be thinking only about trying to discourage the Reserve Bank from putting up interest rates. He should be thinking about circumstances in WA as well. I wonder whether he has any economic analysis to back up his comments. I challenge Peter Costello to release the economic analysis if he thinks he is right about the boom.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I believe we can extend the life of the boom by addressing the skills shortage. That is what we are doing. There will be more apprentices and more resources for apprentices and training generally, reform in the training system, a recruitment blitz on the eastern seaboard, and efforts to get the federal government to direct more skilled migrants to Western Australia. We are acting to overcome skills shortages to the extent that we can. We are trying to get more capacity into our construction industry. I have met with global construction companies and have encouraged them to come to Western Australia and to participate in the opportunities offered by our economic boom. In view of the potential damage to the state arising from Peter Costello’s comments, I think he should reflect very seriously on the impact his comments might have. He should not be thinking only about New South Wales and Victoria; he should not be thinking only about trying to discourage the Reserve Bank from putting up interest rates. He should be thinking about circumstances in WA as well. I wonder whether he has any economic analysis to back up his comments. I challenge Peter Costello to release the economic analysis if he thinks he is right about the boom.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : I believe we can extend the life of the boom by addressing the skills shortage. That is what we are doing. There will be more apprentices and more resources for apprentices and training generally, reform in the training system, a recruitment blitz on the eastern seaboard, and efforts to get the federal government to direct more skilled migrants to Western Australia. We are acting to overcome skills shortages to the extent that we can. We are trying to get more capacity into our construction industry. I have met with global construction companies and have encouraged them to come to Western Australia and to participate in the opportunities offered by our economic boom. In view of the potential damage to the state arising from Peter Costello’s comments, I think he should reflect very seriously on the impact his comments might have. He should not be thinking only about New South Wales and Victoria; he should not be thinking only about trying to discourage the Reserve Bank from putting up interest rates. He should be thinking about circumstances in WA as well. I wonder whether he has any economic analysis to back up his comments. I challenge Peter Costello to release the economic analysis if he thinks he is right about the boom.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: If Peter Costello is right, his comments will reinforce the need for prudent economic management in Western Australia. Those comments, if he is right, reinforce the need to budget for tomorrow and not just today, which is, of course, what the government is doing. We are delivering services; we are delivering tax cuts; we are delivering infrastructure; and we are delivering debt reduction in a responsible and affordable manner. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition says no, we are not. Another tax cut is coming. The government will abolish rental duty on 1 January 2007. That tax cut will be made in just a little while. We have done all this while we have been keeping an eye on the future. The government is not behaving as though the boom will last forever. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Deputy Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER : There is another alternative, which is that Peter Costello is wrong and that the boom has not ended. We should note what has happened with the stock market. The Australian on its Internet site today states that the Australian stock market closed at a record high today, boosted by big mining stocks. That might indicate that perhaps Peter Costello is wrong. If he is wrong, his comments have the potential to do enormous damage to the Western Australian economy. If he is wrong, his comments will sabotage our efforts to overcome skills shortages in Western Australia. If Peter Costello is sending out the message that people should not worry about coming to WA because the boom is over, that will sabotage our recruitment efforts. In fact, that could end up being a self-fulfilling prophecy. The shortage of skilled workers is a critical issue which, if it is not tackled, could bring a premature end to the boom. My view is that the boom will not last forever and the government must have an eye on the future when making its decisions. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I believe we can extend the life of the boom by addressing the skills shortage. That is what we are doing. There will be more apprentices and more resources for apprentices and training generally, reform in the training system, a recruitment blitz on the eastern seaboard, and efforts to get the federal government to direct more skilled migrants to Western Australia. We are acting to overcome skills shortages to the extent that we can. We are trying to get more capacity into our construction industry. I have met with global construction companies and have encouraged them to come to Western Australia and to participate in the opportunities offered by our economic boom. In view of the potential damage to the state arising from Peter Costello’s comments, I think he should reflect very seriously on the impact his comments might have. He should not be thinking only about New South Wales and Victoria; he should not be thinking only about trying to discourage the Reserve Bank from putting up interest rates. He should be thinking about circumstances in WA as well. I wonder whether he has any economic analysis to back up his comments. I challenge Peter Costello to release the economic analysis if he thinks he is right about the boom.
If Peter Costello is right, his comments will reinforce the need for prudent economic management in Western Australia. Those comments, if he is right, reinforce the need to budget for tomorrow and not just today, which is, of course, what the government is doing. We are delivering services; we are delivering tax cuts; we are delivering infrastructure; and we are delivering debt reduction in a responsible and affordable manner. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition says no, we are not. Another tax cut is coming. The government will abolish rental duty on 1 January 2007. That tax cut will be made in just a little while. We have done all this while we have been keeping an eye on the future. The government is not behaving as though the boom will last forever. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Deputy Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER : There is another alternative, which is that Peter Costello is wrong and that the boom has not ended. We should note what has happened with the stock market. The Australian on its Internet site today states that the Australian stock market closed at a record high today, boosted by big mining stocks. That might indicate that perhaps Peter Costello is wrong. If he is wrong, his comments have the potential to do enormous damage to the Western Australian economy. If he is wrong, his comments will sabotage our efforts to overcome skills shortages in Western Australia. If Peter Costello is sending out the message that people should not worry about coming to WA because the boom is over, that will sabotage our recruitment efforts. In fact, that could end up being a self-fulfilling prophecy. The shortage of skilled workers is a critical issue which, if it is not tackled, could bring a premature end to the boom. My view is that the boom will not last forever and the government must have an eye on the future when making its decisions. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I believe we can extend the life of the boom by addressing the skills shortage. That is what we are doing. There will be more apprentices and more resources for apprentices and training generally, reform in the training system, a recruitment blitz on the eastern seaboard, and efforts to get the federal government to direct more skilled migrants to Western Australia. We are acting to overcome skills shortages to the extent that we can. We are trying to get more capacity into our construction industry. I have met with global construction companies and have encouraged them to come to Western Australia and to participate in the opportunities offered by our economic boom. In view of the potential damage to the state arising from Peter Costello’s comments, I think he should reflect very seriously on the impact his comments might have. He should not be thinking only about New South Wales and Victoria; he should not be thinking only about trying to discourage the Reserve Bank from putting up interest rates. He should be thinking about circumstances in WA as well. I wonder whether he has any economic analysis to back up his comments. I challenge Peter Costello to release the economic analysis if he thinks he is right about the boom.
Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, Deputy Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER : There is another alternative, which is that Peter Costello is wrong and that the boom has not ended. We should note what has happened with the stock market. The Australian on its Internet site today states that the Australian stock market closed at a record high today, boosted by big mining stocks. That might indicate that perhaps Peter Costello is wrong. If he is wrong, his comments have the potential to do enormous damage to the Western Australian economy. If he is wrong, his comments will sabotage our efforts to overcome skills shortages in Western Australia. If Peter Costello is sending out the message that people should not worry about coming to WA because the boom is over, that will sabotage our recruitment efforts. In fact, that could end up being a self-fulfilling prophecy. The shortage of skilled workers is a critical issue which, if it is not tackled, could bring a premature end to the boom. My view is that the boom will not last forever and the government must have an eye on the future when making its decisions. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I believe we can extend the life of the boom by addressing the skills shortage. That is what we are doing. There will be more apprentices and more resources for apprentices and training generally, reform in the training system, a recruitment blitz on the eastern seaboard, and efforts to get the federal government to direct more skilled migrants to Western Australia. We are acting to overcome skills shortages to the extent that we can. We are trying to get more capacity into our construction industry. I have met with global construction companies and have encouraged them to come to Western Australia and to participate in the opportunities offered by our economic boom. In view of the potential damage to the state arising from Peter Costello’s comments, I think he should reflect very seriously on the impact his comments might have. He should not be thinking only about New South Wales and Victoria; he should not be thinking only about trying to discourage the Reserve Bank from putting up interest rates. He should be thinking about circumstances in WA as well. I wonder whether he has any economic analysis to back up his comments. I challenge Peter Costello to release the economic analysis if he thinks he is right about the boom.
The SPEAKER : Order, Deputy Leader of the Opposition! Mr E.S. RIPPER : There is another alternative, which is that Peter Costello is wrong and that the boom has not ended. We should note what has happened with the stock market. The Australian on its Internet site today states that the Australian stock market closed at a record high today, boosted by big mining stocks. That might indicate that perhaps Peter Costello is wrong. If he is wrong, his comments have the potential to do enormous damage to the Western Australian economy. If he is wrong, his comments will sabotage our efforts to overcome skills shortages in Western Australia. If Peter Costello is sending out the message that people should not worry about coming to WA because the boom is over, that will sabotage our recruitment efforts. In fact, that could end up being a self-fulfilling prophecy. The shortage of skilled workers is a critical issue which, if it is not tackled, could bring a premature end to the boom. My view is that the boom will not last forever and the government must have an eye on the future when making its decisions. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I believe we can extend the life of the boom by addressing the skills shortage. That is what we are doing. There will be more apprentices and more resources for apprentices and training generally, reform in the training system, a recruitment blitz on the eastern seaboard, and efforts to get the federal government to direct more skilled migrants to Western Australia. We are acting to overcome skills shortages to the extent that we can. We are trying to get more capacity into our construction industry. I have met with global construction companies and have encouraged them to come to Western Australia and to participate in the opportunities offered by our economic boom. In view of the potential damage to the state arising from Peter Costello’s comments, I think he should reflect very seriously on the impact his comments might have. He should not be thinking only about New South Wales and Victoria; he should not be thinking only about trying to discourage the Reserve Bank from putting up interest rates. He should be thinking about circumstances in WA as well. I wonder whether he has any economic analysis to back up his comments. I challenge Peter Costello to release the economic analysis if he thinks he is right about the boom.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : There is another alternative, which is that Peter Costello is wrong and that the boom has not ended. We should note what has happened with the stock market. The Australian on its Internet site today states that the Australian stock market closed at a record high today, boosted by big mining stocks. That might indicate that perhaps Peter Costello is wrong. If he is wrong, his comments have the potential to do enormous damage to the Western Australian economy. If he is wrong, his comments will sabotage our efforts to overcome skills shortages in Western Australia. If Peter Costello is sending out the message that people should not worry about coming to WA because the boom is over, that will sabotage our recruitment efforts. In fact, that could end up being a self-fulfilling prophecy. The shortage of skilled workers is a critical issue which, if it is not tackled, could bring a premature end to the boom. My view is that the boom will not last forever and the government must have an eye on the future when making its decisions. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I believe we can extend the life of the boom by addressing the skills shortage. That is what we are doing. There will be more apprentices and more resources for apprentices and training generally, reform in the training system, a recruitment blitz on the eastern seaboard, and efforts to get the federal government to direct more skilled migrants to Western Australia. We are acting to overcome skills shortages to the extent that we can. We are trying to get more capacity into our construction industry. I have met with global construction companies and have encouraged them to come to Western Australia and to participate in the opportunities offered by our economic boom. In view of the potential damage to the state arising from Peter Costello’s comments, I think he should reflect very seriously on the impact his comments might have. He should not be thinking only about New South Wales and Victoria; he should not be thinking only about trying to discourage the Reserve Bank from putting up interest rates. He should be thinking about circumstances in WA as well. I wonder whether he has any economic analysis to back up his comments. I challenge Peter Costello to release the economic analysis if he thinks he is right about the boom.
My view is that the boom will not last forever and the government must have an eye on the future when making its decisions. Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I believe we can extend the life of the boom by addressing the skills shortage. That is what we are doing. There will be more apprentices and more resources for apprentices and training generally, reform in the training system, a recruitment blitz on the eastern seaboard, and efforts to get the federal government to direct more skilled migrants to Western Australia. We are acting to overcome skills shortages to the extent that we can. We are trying to get more capacity into our construction industry. I have met with global construction companies and have encouraged them to come to Western Australia and to participate in the opportunities offered by our economic boom. In view of the potential damage to the state arising from Peter Costello’s comments, I think he should reflect very seriously on the impact his comments might have. He should not be thinking only about New South Wales and Victoria; he should not be thinking only about trying to discourage the Reserve Bank from putting up interest rates. He should be thinking about circumstances in WA as well. I wonder whether he has any economic analysis to back up his comments. I challenge Peter Costello to release the economic analysis if he thinks he is right about the boom.
Mr T. Buswell interjected. The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I believe we can extend the life of the boom by addressing the skills shortage. That is what we are doing. There will be more apprentices and more resources for apprentices and training generally, reform in the training system, a recruitment blitz on the eastern seaboard, and efforts to get the federal government to direct more skilled migrants to Western Australia. We are acting to overcome skills shortages to the extent that we can. We are trying to get more capacity into our construction industry. I have met with global construction companies and have encouraged them to come to Western Australia and to participate in the opportunities offered by our economic boom. In view of the potential damage to the state arising from Peter Costello’s comments, I think he should reflect very seriously on the impact his comments might have. He should not be thinking only about New South Wales and Victoria; he should not be thinking only about trying to discourage the Reserve Bank from putting up interest rates. He should be thinking about circumstances in WA as well. I wonder whether he has any economic analysis to back up his comments. I challenge Peter Costello to release the economic analysis if he thinks he is right about the boom.
The SPEAKER : Order! I call the Deputy Leader of the Opposition to order for the third time. Mr E.S. RIPPER : I believe we can extend the life of the boom by addressing the skills shortage. That is what we are doing. There will be more apprentices and more resources for apprentices and training generally, reform in the training system, a recruitment blitz on the eastern seaboard, and efforts to get the federal government to direct more skilled migrants to Western Australia. We are acting to overcome skills shortages to the extent that we can. We are trying to get more capacity into our construction industry. I have met with global construction companies and have encouraged them to come to Western Australia and to participate in the opportunities offered by our economic boom. In view of the potential damage to the state arising from Peter Costello’s comments, I think he should reflect very seriously on the impact his comments might have. He should not be thinking only about New South Wales and Victoria; he should not be thinking only about trying to discourage the Reserve Bank from putting up interest rates. He should be thinking about circumstances in WA as well. I wonder whether he has any economic analysis to back up his comments. I challenge Peter Costello to release the economic analysis if he thinks he is right about the boom.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : I believe we can extend the life of the boom by addressing the skills shortage. That is what we are doing. There will be more apprentices and more resources for apprentices and training generally, reform in the training system, a recruitment blitz on the eastern seaboard, and efforts to get the federal government to direct more skilled migrants to Western Australia. We are acting to overcome skills shortages to the extent that we can. We are trying to get more capacity into our construction industry. I have met with global construction companies and have encouraged them to come to Western Australia and to participate in the opportunities offered by our economic boom. In view of the potential damage to the state arising from Peter Costello’s comments, I think he should reflect very seriously on the impact his comments might have. He should not be thinking only about New South Wales and Victoria; he should not be thinking only about trying to discourage the Reserve Bank from putting up interest rates. He should be thinking about circumstances in WA as well. I wonder whether he has any economic analysis to back up his comments. I challenge Peter Costello to release the economic analysis if he thinks he is right about the boom.
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