❓ Opposition asks about stalled police EBA negotiations and government wages policy. Treasurer responds vaguely, outlining broad principles and criticising the previous government's approach, delaying a direct answer.
AnsweredQoN 211Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
POLICE ENTERPRISE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
I refer to the upcoming police enterprise bargaining agreement. (1) Is it true that negotiations for the new police EBA have stalled, awaiting a government decision on its wages policy? (2) What bundle of government red tape is holding up this important negotiation? (3) What is the government’s wages policy? Mr T.R. BUSWELL
I refer to the upcoming police enterprise bargaining agreement. (1) Is it true that negotiations for the new police EBA have stalled, awaiting a government decision on its wages policy? (2) What bundle of government red tape is holding up this important negotiation? (3) What is the government’s wages policy? Mr T.R. BUSWELL
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) I will answer the question in two parts; I will provide an answer as it relates to broad wages policy and then I will make some observations about the police pay negotiations. In the case of broad wages policy, the government has some major challenges ahead of it to rein in, as I indicated earlier, the rate of growth of public sector wages in Western Australia. We have tackled one part of the problem by putting a ceiling on the size of the headcount. We will tackle the other part through a wages policy that will be formalised in the very near future. I can tell the member this about the wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The friend of Robert Ray may laugh — Mr W.J. Johnston : I do, because it is such a ridiculous answer. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I refer to your ruling, Mr Speaker, that the Treasurer is now flouting. He was asked a specific question, and he should be asked to stick to that. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : It is usual for members of this house to be referred to by their electorates, not by nicknames. The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
(1) Is it true that negotiations for the new police EBA have stalled, awaiting a government decision on its wages policy? (2) What bundle of government red tape is holding up this important negotiation? (3) What is the government’s wages policy? Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) I will answer the question in two parts; I will provide an answer as it relates to broad wages policy and then I will make some observations about the police pay negotiations. In the case of broad wages policy, the government has some major challenges ahead of it to rein in, as I indicated earlier, the rate of growth of public sector wages in Western Australia. We have tackled one part of the problem by putting a ceiling on the size of the headcount. We will tackle the other part through a wages policy that will be formalised in the very near future. I can tell the member this about the wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The friend of Robert Ray may laugh — Mr W.J. Johnston : I do, because it is such a ridiculous answer. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I refer to your ruling, Mr Speaker, that the Treasurer is now flouting. He was asked a specific question, and he should be asked to stick to that. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : It is usual for members of this house to be referred to by their electorates, not by nicknames. The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
(2) What bundle of government red tape is holding up this important negotiation? (3) What is the government’s wages policy? Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) I will answer the question in two parts; I will provide an answer as it relates to broad wages policy and then I will make some observations about the police pay negotiations. In the case of broad wages policy, the government has some major challenges ahead of it to rein in, as I indicated earlier, the rate of growth of public sector wages in Western Australia. We have tackled one part of the problem by putting a ceiling on the size of the headcount. We will tackle the other part through a wages policy that will be formalised in the very near future. I can tell the member this about the wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The friend of Robert Ray may laugh — Mr W.J. Johnston : I do, because it is such a ridiculous answer. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I refer to your ruling, Mr Speaker, that the Treasurer is now flouting. He was asked a specific question, and he should be asked to stick to that. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : It is usual for members of this house to be referred to by their electorates, not by nicknames. The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
(3) What is the government’s wages policy? Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) I will answer the question in two parts; I will provide an answer as it relates to broad wages policy and then I will make some observations about the police pay negotiations. In the case of broad wages policy, the government has some major challenges ahead of it to rein in, as I indicated earlier, the rate of growth of public sector wages in Western Australia. We have tackled one part of the problem by putting a ceiling on the size of the headcount. We will tackle the other part through a wages policy that will be formalised in the very near future. I can tell the member this about the wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The friend of Robert Ray may laugh — Mr W.J. Johnston : I do, because it is such a ridiculous answer. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I refer to your ruling, Mr Speaker, that the Treasurer is now flouting. He was asked a specific question, and he should be asked to stick to that. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : It is usual for members of this house to be referred to by their electorates, not by nicknames. The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) I will answer the question in two parts; I will provide an answer as it relates to broad wages policy and then I will make some observations about the police pay negotiations. In the case of broad wages policy, the government has some major challenges ahead of it to rein in, as I indicated earlier, the rate of growth of public sector wages in Western Australia. We have tackled one part of the problem by putting a ceiling on the size of the headcount. We will tackle the other part through a wages policy that will be formalised in the very near future. I can tell the member this about the wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The friend of Robert Ray may laugh — Mr W.J. Johnston : I do, because it is such a ridiculous answer. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I refer to your ruling, Mr Speaker, that the Treasurer is now flouting. He was asked a specific question, and he should be asked to stick to that. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : It is usual for members of this house to be referred to by their electorates, not by nicknames. The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) I will answer the question in two parts; I will provide an answer as it relates to broad wages policy and then I will make some observations about the police pay negotiations. In the case of broad wages policy, the government has some major challenges ahead of it to rein in, as I indicated earlier, the rate of growth of public sector wages in Western Australia. We have tackled one part of the problem by putting a ceiling on the size of the headcount. We will tackle the other part through a wages policy that will be formalised in the very near future. I can tell the member this about the wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The friend of Robert Ray may laugh — Mr W.J. Johnston : I do, because it is such a ridiculous answer. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I refer to your ruling, Mr Speaker, that the Treasurer is now flouting. He was asked a specific question, and he should be asked to stick to that. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : It is usual for members of this house to be referred to by their electorates, not by nicknames. The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
(1)-(3) I will answer the question in two parts; I will provide an answer as it relates to broad wages policy and then I will make some observations about the police pay negotiations. In the case of broad wages policy, the government has some major challenges ahead of it to rein in, as I indicated earlier, the rate of growth of public sector wages in Western Australia. We have tackled one part of the problem by putting a ceiling on the size of the headcount. We will tackle the other part through a wages policy that will be formalised in the very near future. I can tell the member this about the wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The friend of Robert Ray may laugh — Mr W.J. Johnston : I do, because it is such a ridiculous answer. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I refer to your ruling, Mr Speaker, that the Treasurer is now flouting. He was asked a specific question, and he should be asked to stick to that. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : It is usual for members of this house to be referred to by their electorates, not by nicknames. The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The friend of Robert Ray may laugh — Mr W.J. Johnston : I do, because it is such a ridiculous answer. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I refer to your ruling, Mr Speaker, that the Treasurer is now flouting. He was asked a specific question, and he should be asked to stick to that. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : It is usual for members of this house to be referred to by their electorates, not by nicknames. The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The friend of Robert Ray may laugh — Mr W.J. Johnston : I do, because it is such a ridiculous answer. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I refer to your ruling, Mr Speaker, that the Treasurer is now flouting. He was asked a specific question, and he should be asked to stick to that. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : It is usual for members of this house to be referred to by their electorates, not by nicknames. The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr W.J. Johnston : I do, because it is such a ridiculous answer. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I refer to your ruling, Mr Speaker, that the Treasurer is now flouting. He was asked a specific question, and he should be asked to stick to that. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : It is usual for members of this house to be referred to by their electorates, not by nicknames. The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : It is usual for members of this house to be referred to by their electorates, not by nicknames. The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
(1) Is it true that negotiations for the new police EBA have stalled, awaiting a government decision on its wages policy? (2) What bundle of government red tape is holding up this important negotiation? (3) What is the government’s wages policy? Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) I will answer the question in two parts; I will provide an answer as it relates to broad wages policy and then I will make some observations about the police pay negotiations. In the case of broad wages policy, the government has some major challenges ahead of it to rein in, as I indicated earlier, the rate of growth of public sector wages in Western Australia. We have tackled one part of the problem by putting a ceiling on the size of the headcount. We will tackle the other part through a wages policy that will be formalised in the very near future. I can tell the member this about the wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The friend of Robert Ray may laugh — Mr W.J. Johnston : I do, because it is such a ridiculous answer. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I refer to your ruling, Mr Speaker, that the Treasurer is now flouting. He was asked a specific question, and he should be asked to stick to that. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : It is usual for members of this house to be referred to by their electorates, not by nicknames. The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
(2) What bundle of government red tape is holding up this important negotiation? (3) What is the government’s wages policy? Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) I will answer the question in two parts; I will provide an answer as it relates to broad wages policy and then I will make some observations about the police pay negotiations. In the case of broad wages policy, the government has some major challenges ahead of it to rein in, as I indicated earlier, the rate of growth of public sector wages in Western Australia. We have tackled one part of the problem by putting a ceiling on the size of the headcount. We will tackle the other part through a wages policy that will be formalised in the very near future. I can tell the member this about the wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The friend of Robert Ray may laugh — Mr W.J. Johnston : I do, because it is such a ridiculous answer. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I refer to your ruling, Mr Speaker, that the Treasurer is now flouting. He was asked a specific question, and he should be asked to stick to that. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : It is usual for members of this house to be referred to by their electorates, not by nicknames. The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
(3) What is the government’s wages policy? Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) I will answer the question in two parts; I will provide an answer as it relates to broad wages policy and then I will make some observations about the police pay negotiations. In the case of broad wages policy, the government has some major challenges ahead of it to rein in, as I indicated earlier, the rate of growth of public sector wages in Western Australia. We have tackled one part of the problem by putting a ceiling on the size of the headcount. We will tackle the other part through a wages policy that will be formalised in the very near future. I can tell the member this about the wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The friend of Robert Ray may laugh — Mr W.J. Johnston : I do, because it is such a ridiculous answer. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I refer to your ruling, Mr Speaker, that the Treasurer is now flouting. He was asked a specific question, and he should be asked to stick to that. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : It is usual for members of this house to be referred to by their electorates, not by nicknames. The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL replied: I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) I will answer the question in two parts; I will provide an answer as it relates to broad wages policy and then I will make some observations about the police pay negotiations. In the case of broad wages policy, the government has some major challenges ahead of it to rein in, as I indicated earlier, the rate of growth of public sector wages in Western Australia. We have tackled one part of the problem by putting a ceiling on the size of the headcount. We will tackle the other part through a wages policy that will be formalised in the very near future. I can tell the member this about the wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The friend of Robert Ray may laugh — Mr W.J. Johnston : I do, because it is such a ridiculous answer. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I refer to your ruling, Mr Speaker, that the Treasurer is now flouting. He was asked a specific question, and he should be asked to stick to that. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : It is usual for members of this house to be referred to by their electorates, not by nicknames. The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
I thank the member for the question. (1)-(3) I will answer the question in two parts; I will provide an answer as it relates to broad wages policy and then I will make some observations about the police pay negotiations. In the case of broad wages policy, the government has some major challenges ahead of it to rein in, as I indicated earlier, the rate of growth of public sector wages in Western Australia. We have tackled one part of the problem by putting a ceiling on the size of the headcount. We will tackle the other part through a wages policy that will be formalised in the very near future. I can tell the member this about the wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The friend of Robert Ray may laugh — Mr W.J. Johnston : I do, because it is such a ridiculous answer. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I refer to your ruling, Mr Speaker, that the Treasurer is now flouting. He was asked a specific question, and he should be asked to stick to that. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : It is usual for members of this house to be referred to by their electorates, not by nicknames. The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
(1)-(3) I will answer the question in two parts; I will provide an answer as it relates to broad wages policy and then I will make some observations about the police pay negotiations. In the case of broad wages policy, the government has some major challenges ahead of it to rein in, as I indicated earlier, the rate of growth of public sector wages in Western Australia. We have tackled one part of the problem by putting a ceiling on the size of the headcount. We will tackle the other part through a wages policy that will be formalised in the very near future. I can tell the member this about the wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The friend of Robert Ray may laugh — Mr W.J. Johnston : I do, because it is such a ridiculous answer. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I refer to your ruling, Mr Speaker, that the Treasurer is now flouting. He was asked a specific question, and he should be asked to stick to that. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : It is usual for members of this house to be referred to by their electorates, not by nicknames. The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The friend of Robert Ray may laugh — Mr W.J. Johnston : I do, because it is such a ridiculous answer. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I refer to your ruling, Mr Speaker, that the Treasurer is now flouting. He was asked a specific question, and he should be asked to stick to that. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : It is usual for members of this house to be referred to by their electorates, not by nicknames. The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The friend of Robert Ray may laugh — Mr W.J. Johnston : I do, because it is such a ridiculous answer. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I refer to your ruling, Mr Speaker, that the Treasurer is now flouting. He was asked a specific question, and he should be asked to stick to that. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : It is usual for members of this house to be referred to by their electorates, not by nicknames. The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr W.J. Johnston : I do, because it is such a ridiculous answer. Point of Order Mr M. McGOWAN : I refer to your ruling, Mr Speaker, that the Treasurer is now flouting. He was asked a specific question, and he should be asked to stick to that. Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : It is usual for members of this house to be referred to by their electorates, not by nicknames. The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS : It is usual for members of this house to be referred to by their electorates, not by nicknames. The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
The SPEAKER : I am sure that the Treasurer will do so. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I apologise, friend of nobody. I thank the member for Rockingham for correcting the record. The member for Cannington has beaten the member for Rockingham as the one person on that side of the house with fewer friends than he has. Now, I will return to the wages policy. Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Several members interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Our wages policy — Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I will put our wages policy into context. I will tell members the framework that it will sit around. I will tell members what their wages policy was. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Cannington! I would like question time to finish today. I formally call the member for the first time. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : Thank you, Mr Speaker, for protecting me from Robert Ray’s friend. Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Now, I will return to the point. The former government’s wages policy can be summed up in these terms—neither to lead nor to lag. Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr C.C. Porter interjected. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : That is a very good question. That was the framework in which the previous government’s wage negotiations were conducted—neither to lead nor to lag. Our wages policy is being finalised. It is a difficult issue. It will reflect three principles—productivity, flexibility and moderation. Members will see the detail next week. I cannot comment specifically on the situation with the police because I have not been involved in that process thus far, although I suspect that the member may be right and there may be a brief lull in the government’s negotiations with the police while formalities are put in place to deal with not just the police EBA, but also the range of EBAs that will flow from that. However, there is a message in relation to government wage negotiations. Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr P.B. Watson : You gave the teachers too much, didn’t you? The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Albany! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The credibility of the member in his support of teachers is similar to the credibility of his efforts for Albany hospital. He has admitted his own failings on that matter in this place a number of times. Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Public sector workers in Western Australia need to understand, as do employees around Western Australia — Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr A.J. Carpenter interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : It is lovely being on this side of the chamber, former Premier. I thank him very much for helping us in that process. It is wonderful. I remember him. He has woken up! Last year at the Australian Labor Party state conference, they asked him what it felt like to be so popular and he said, “How sweet it is to be loved by you.” He thought he would go to number one with a bullet, but he sank like a stone. When the hit parade was released by the population on polling day, How Sweet It Is , as sung by the member for Willagee, was right at the bottom, and he took a whole pile of his mates down with him. There is a change on the hit parade. I thank the former Premier for his help in moving us over here; we all appreciate it very much. I thank him for giving me an opportunity to express, on behalf of all members of the Liberal-National government, our appreciation of him for his role in that political disaster. Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr A.J. Carpenter : It’s like being mauled by a human truffle dog! The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Willagee! Treasurer, there are times in this house and perhaps now is not the time. I ask the Treasurer to reach a conclusion to the question he was asked. Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : I apologise to the house. The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
The message about wages is that the economic environment has changed. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
Mr T.R. BUSWELL : The labour market that sits within that economic environment has changed. As I have said, we will look to wage negotiations that reflect productivity, moderation and flexibility.
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