❓ Mr. Masters questions the adequacy of Swan River Trust funding given budget cuts and fish kills. Premier Gallop defends the government's environmental plan and budget management, highlighting river restoration efforts and nutrient reduction strategies.
AnsweredQoN 738Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to page 613 of the 2003-04 Budget Statements under significant issues and trends, where it is stated in no less than six places that the pressure on the Swan River and its environmental values is increasing. (1) Given that the funding for the Swan River Trust has suffered real cuts in the last three budgets, does the Premier consider the budget allocation for this financial year to be adequate to manage the state of the Swan River in the light of the recent massive fish kills? (2) If so, how does the Government intend to improve the situation to prevent further fish kills in the Swan River? Dr G.I. GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
I seek the indulgence of the House in congratulating our state-based soccer team, the Perth Glory, on winning the national title. I am sure I speak on behalf of all Western Australians in congratulating the team on its magnificent performance and thank it for the joy it has given soccer supporters in Western Australia in recent years. (1)-(2) I find it somewhat interesting that ever since the state budget has come down, members of the Opposition have said that we are not spending enough money here or enough money there, yet the Leader of the Opposition says we are spending too much money and we should not have revenue measures in the budget. There is a problem with that, Leader of the Opposition. If we have to spend money on all the things that people want to do in the community, we must raise the revenue to do it. This Government does that within the context of a balanced budget, unlike the Opposition when it was in power. The people of Western Australia will judge this Government when it comes time at the election. We will go into that election campaign with a lot of confidence because we know that we are meeting the challenges of our society. We are not complacent, we are not lazy and we are not incompetent. There is a plan in place to deal with the issues relating to the Swan River. Mr C.J. Barnett: Is there a committee? Dr G.I. GALLOP: No, a plan - one of the best in Australia - has been put in place by the Swan River Trust under which technology is being developed to reduce nutrients. We have enhanced this plan through the very successful river-bank restoration program - not so long ago I saw the minister on television talking about that highly successful program. We will continue to work with local communities, whether it be with families in the local neighbourhoods, farmers in the wheatbelt or workers in the industrial areas, to reduce the nutrients that go into the river. We have done a lot so far but, clearly, more is required and we will continue to use the Swan-Canning clean-up program as a blueprint for reducing nutrients into the Swan River.
(1) Given that the funding for the Swan River Trust has suffered real cuts in the last three budgets, does the Premier consider the budget allocation for this financial year to be adequate to manage the state of the Swan River in the light of the recent massive fish kills? (2) If so, how does the Government intend to improve the situation to prevent further fish kills in the Swan River? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I seek the indulgence of the House in congratulating our state-based soccer team, the Perth Glory, on winning the national title. I am sure I speak on behalf of all Western Australians in congratulating the team on its magnificent performance and thank it for the joy it has given soccer supporters in Western Australia in recent years. (1)-(2) I find it somewhat interesting that ever since the state budget has come down, members of the Opposition have said that we are not spending enough money here or enough money there, yet the Leader of the Opposition says we are spending too much money and we should not have revenue measures in the budget. There is a problem with that, Leader of the Opposition. If we have to spend money on all the things that people want to do in the community, we must raise the revenue to do it. This Government does that within the context of a balanced budget, unlike the Opposition when it was in power. The people of Western Australia will judge this Government when it comes time at the election. We will go into that election campaign with a lot of confidence because we know that we are meeting the challenges of our society. We are not complacent, we are not lazy and we are not incompetent. There is a plan in place to deal with the issues relating to the Swan River. Mr C.J. Barnett: Is there a committee? Dr G.I. GALLOP: No, a plan - one of the best in Australia - has been put in place by the Swan River Trust under which technology is being developed to reduce nutrients. We have enhanced this plan through the very successful river-bank restoration program - not so long ago I saw the minister on television talking about that highly successful program. We will continue to work with local communities, whether it be with families in the local neighbourhoods, farmers in the wheatbelt or workers in the industrial areas, to reduce the nutrients that go into the river. We have done a lot so far but, clearly, more is required and we will continue to use the Swan-Canning clean-up program as a blueprint for reducing nutrients into the Swan River.
(2) If so, how does the Government intend to improve the situation to prevent further fish kills in the Swan River? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I seek the indulgence of the House in congratulating our state-based soccer team, the Perth Glory, on winning the national title. I am sure I speak on behalf of all Western Australians in congratulating the team on its magnificent performance and thank it for the joy it has given soccer supporters in Western Australia in recent years. (1)-(2) I find it somewhat interesting that ever since the state budget has come down, members of the Opposition have said that we are not spending enough money here or enough money there, yet the Leader of the Opposition says we are spending too much money and we should not have revenue measures in the budget. There is a problem with that, Leader of the Opposition. If we have to spend money on all the things that people want to do in the community, we must raise the revenue to do it. This Government does that within the context of a balanced budget, unlike the Opposition when it was in power. The people of Western Australia will judge this Government when it comes time at the election. We will go into that election campaign with a lot of confidence because we know that we are meeting the challenges of our society. We are not complacent, we are not lazy and we are not incompetent. There is a plan in place to deal with the issues relating to the Swan River. Mr C.J. Barnett: Is there a committee? Dr G.I. GALLOP: No, a plan - one of the best in Australia - has been put in place by the Swan River Trust under which technology is being developed to reduce nutrients. We have enhanced this plan through the very successful river-bank restoration program - not so long ago I saw the minister on television talking about that highly successful program. We will continue to work with local communities, whether it be with families in the local neighbourhoods, farmers in the wheatbelt or workers in the industrial areas, to reduce the nutrients that go into the river. We have done a lot so far but, clearly, more is required and we will continue to use the Swan-Canning clean-up program as a blueprint for reducing nutrients into the Swan River.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I seek the indulgence of the House in congratulating our state-based soccer team, the Perth Glory, on winning the national title. I am sure I speak on behalf of all Western Australians in congratulating the team on its magnificent performance and thank it for the joy it has given soccer supporters in Western Australia in recent years. (1)-(2) I find it somewhat interesting that ever since the state budget has come down, members of the Opposition have said that we are not spending enough money here or enough money there, yet the Leader of the Opposition says we are spending too much money and we should not have revenue measures in the budget. There is a problem with that, Leader of the Opposition. If we have to spend money on all the things that people want to do in the community, we must raise the revenue to do it. This Government does that within the context of a balanced budget, unlike the Opposition when it was in power. The people of Western Australia will judge this Government when it comes time at the election. We will go into that election campaign with a lot of confidence because we know that we are meeting the challenges of our society. We are not complacent, we are not lazy and we are not incompetent. There is a plan in place to deal with the issues relating to the Swan River. Mr C.J. Barnett: Is there a committee? Dr G.I. GALLOP: No, a plan - one of the best in Australia - has been put in place by the Swan River Trust under which technology is being developed to reduce nutrients. We have enhanced this plan through the very successful river-bank restoration program - not so long ago I saw the minister on television talking about that highly successful program. We will continue to work with local communities, whether it be with families in the local neighbourhoods, farmers in the wheatbelt or workers in the industrial areas, to reduce the nutrients that go into the river. We have done a lot so far but, clearly, more is required and we will continue to use the Swan-Canning clean-up program as a blueprint for reducing nutrients into the Swan River.
I seek the indulgence of the House in congratulating our state-based soccer team, the Perth Glory, on winning the national title. I am sure I speak on behalf of all Western Australians in congratulating the team on its magnificent performance and thank it for the joy it has given soccer supporters in Western Australia in recent years. (1)-(2) I find it somewhat interesting that ever since the state budget has come down, members of the Opposition have said that we are not spending enough money here or enough money there, yet the Leader of the Opposition says we are spending too much money and we should not have revenue measures in the budget. There is a problem with that, Leader of the Opposition. If we have to spend money on all the things that people want to do in the community, we must raise the revenue to do it. This Government does that within the context of a balanced budget, unlike the Opposition when it was in power. The people of Western Australia will judge this Government when it comes time at the election. We will go into that election campaign with a lot of confidence because we know that we are meeting the challenges of our society. We are not complacent, we are not lazy and we are not incompetent. There is a plan in place to deal with the issues relating to the Swan River. Mr C.J. Barnett: Is there a committee? Dr G.I. GALLOP: No, a plan - one of the best in Australia - has been put in place by the Swan River Trust under which technology is being developed to reduce nutrients. We have enhanced this plan through the very successful river-bank restoration program - not so long ago I saw the minister on television talking about that highly successful program. We will continue to work with local communities, whether it be with families in the local neighbourhoods, farmers in the wheatbelt or workers in the industrial areas, to reduce the nutrients that go into the river. We have done a lot so far but, clearly, more is required and we will continue to use the Swan-Canning clean-up program as a blueprint for reducing nutrients into the Swan River.
(1)-(2) I find it somewhat interesting that ever since the state budget has come down, members of the Opposition have said that we are not spending enough money here or enough money there, yet the Leader of the Opposition says we are spending too much money and we should not have revenue measures in the budget. There is a problem with that, Leader of the Opposition. If we have to spend money on all the things that people want to do in the community, we must raise the revenue to do it. This Government does that within the context of a balanced budget, unlike the Opposition when it was in power. The people of Western Australia will judge this Government when it comes time at the election. We will go into that election campaign with a lot of confidence because we know that we are meeting the challenges of our society. We are not complacent, we are not lazy and we are not incompetent. There is a plan in place to deal with the issues relating to the Swan River. Mr C.J. Barnett: Is there a committee? Dr G.I. GALLOP: No, a plan - one of the best in Australia - has been put in place by the Swan River Trust under which technology is being developed to reduce nutrients. We have enhanced this plan through the very successful river-bank restoration program - not so long ago I saw the minister on television talking about that highly successful program. We will continue to work with local communities, whether it be with families in the local neighbourhoods, farmers in the wheatbelt or workers in the industrial areas, to reduce the nutrients that go into the river. We have done a lot so far but, clearly, more is required and we will continue to use the Swan-Canning clean-up program as a blueprint for reducing nutrients into the Swan River.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: No, a plan - one of the best in Australia - has been put in place by the Swan River Trust under which technology is being developed to reduce nutrients. We have enhanced this plan through the very successful river-bank restoration program - not so long ago I saw the minister on television talking about that highly successful program. We will continue to work with local communities, whether it be with families in the local neighbourhoods, farmers in the wheatbelt or workers in the industrial areas, to reduce the nutrients that go into the river. We have done a lot so far but, clearly, more is required and we will continue to use the Swan-Canning clean-up program as a blueprint for reducing nutrients into the Swan River.
(1) Given that the funding for the Swan River Trust has suffered real cuts in the last three budgets, does the Premier consider the budget allocation for this financial year to be adequate to manage the state of the Swan River in the light of the recent massive fish kills? (2) If so, how does the Government intend to improve the situation to prevent further fish kills in the Swan River? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I seek the indulgence of the House in congratulating our state-based soccer team, the Perth Glory, on winning the national title. I am sure I speak on behalf of all Western Australians in congratulating the team on its magnificent performance and thank it for the joy it has given soccer supporters in Western Australia in recent years. (1)-(2) I find it somewhat interesting that ever since the state budget has come down, members of the Opposition have said that we are not spending enough money here or enough money there, yet the Leader of the Opposition says we are spending too much money and we should not have revenue measures in the budget. There is a problem with that, Leader of the Opposition. If we have to spend money on all the things that people want to do in the community, we must raise the revenue to do it. This Government does that within the context of a balanced budget, unlike the Opposition when it was in power. The people of Western Australia will judge this Government when it comes time at the election. We will go into that election campaign with a lot of confidence because we know that we are meeting the challenges of our society. We are not complacent, we are not lazy and we are not incompetent. There is a plan in place to deal with the issues relating to the Swan River. Mr C.J. Barnett: Is there a committee? Dr G.I. GALLOP: No, a plan - one of the best in Australia - has been put in place by the Swan River Trust under which technology is being developed to reduce nutrients. We have enhanced this plan through the very successful river-bank restoration program - not so long ago I saw the minister on television talking about that highly successful program. We will continue to work with local communities, whether it be with families in the local neighbourhoods, farmers in the wheatbelt or workers in the industrial areas, to reduce the nutrients that go into the river. We have done a lot so far but, clearly, more is required and we will continue to use the Swan-Canning clean-up program as a blueprint for reducing nutrients into the Swan River.
(2) If so, how does the Government intend to improve the situation to prevent further fish kills in the Swan River? Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I seek the indulgence of the House in congratulating our state-based soccer team, the Perth Glory, on winning the national title. I am sure I speak on behalf of all Western Australians in congratulating the team on its magnificent performance and thank it for the joy it has given soccer supporters in Western Australia in recent years. (1)-(2) I find it somewhat interesting that ever since the state budget has come down, members of the Opposition have said that we are not spending enough money here or enough money there, yet the Leader of the Opposition says we are spending too much money and we should not have revenue measures in the budget. There is a problem with that, Leader of the Opposition. If we have to spend money on all the things that people want to do in the community, we must raise the revenue to do it. This Government does that within the context of a balanced budget, unlike the Opposition when it was in power. The people of Western Australia will judge this Government when it comes time at the election. We will go into that election campaign with a lot of confidence because we know that we are meeting the challenges of our society. We are not complacent, we are not lazy and we are not incompetent. There is a plan in place to deal with the issues relating to the Swan River. Mr C.J. Barnett: Is there a committee? Dr G.I. GALLOP: No, a plan - one of the best in Australia - has been put in place by the Swan River Trust under which technology is being developed to reduce nutrients. We have enhanced this plan through the very successful river-bank restoration program - not so long ago I saw the minister on television talking about that highly successful program. We will continue to work with local communities, whether it be with families in the local neighbourhoods, farmers in the wheatbelt or workers in the industrial areas, to reduce the nutrients that go into the river. We have done a lot so far but, clearly, more is required and we will continue to use the Swan-Canning clean-up program as a blueprint for reducing nutrients into the Swan River.
Dr G.I. GALLOP replied: I seek the indulgence of the House in congratulating our state-based soccer team, the Perth Glory, on winning the national title. I am sure I speak on behalf of all Western Australians in congratulating the team on its magnificent performance and thank it for the joy it has given soccer supporters in Western Australia in recent years. (1)-(2) I find it somewhat interesting that ever since the state budget has come down, members of the Opposition have said that we are not spending enough money here or enough money there, yet the Leader of the Opposition says we are spending too much money and we should not have revenue measures in the budget. There is a problem with that, Leader of the Opposition. If we have to spend money on all the things that people want to do in the community, we must raise the revenue to do it. This Government does that within the context of a balanced budget, unlike the Opposition when it was in power. The people of Western Australia will judge this Government when it comes time at the election. We will go into that election campaign with a lot of confidence because we know that we are meeting the challenges of our society. We are not complacent, we are not lazy and we are not incompetent. There is a plan in place to deal with the issues relating to the Swan River. Mr C.J. Barnett: Is there a committee? Dr G.I. GALLOP: No, a plan - one of the best in Australia - has been put in place by the Swan River Trust under which technology is being developed to reduce nutrients. We have enhanced this plan through the very successful river-bank restoration program - not so long ago I saw the minister on television talking about that highly successful program. We will continue to work with local communities, whether it be with families in the local neighbourhoods, farmers in the wheatbelt or workers in the industrial areas, to reduce the nutrients that go into the river. We have done a lot so far but, clearly, more is required and we will continue to use the Swan-Canning clean-up program as a blueprint for reducing nutrients into the Swan River.
I seek the indulgence of the House in congratulating our state-based soccer team, the Perth Glory, on winning the national title. I am sure I speak on behalf of all Western Australians in congratulating the team on its magnificent performance and thank it for the joy it has given soccer supporters in Western Australia in recent years. (1)-(2) I find it somewhat interesting that ever since the state budget has come down, members of the Opposition have said that we are not spending enough money here or enough money there, yet the Leader of the Opposition says we are spending too much money and we should not have revenue measures in the budget. There is a problem with that, Leader of the Opposition. If we have to spend money on all the things that people want to do in the community, we must raise the revenue to do it. This Government does that within the context of a balanced budget, unlike the Opposition when it was in power. The people of Western Australia will judge this Government when it comes time at the election. We will go into that election campaign with a lot of confidence because we know that we are meeting the challenges of our society. We are not complacent, we are not lazy and we are not incompetent. There is a plan in place to deal with the issues relating to the Swan River. Mr C.J. Barnett: Is there a committee? Dr G.I. GALLOP: No, a plan - one of the best in Australia - has been put in place by the Swan River Trust under which technology is being developed to reduce nutrients. We have enhanced this plan through the very successful river-bank restoration program - not so long ago I saw the minister on television talking about that highly successful program. We will continue to work with local communities, whether it be with families in the local neighbourhoods, farmers in the wheatbelt or workers in the industrial areas, to reduce the nutrients that go into the river. We have done a lot so far but, clearly, more is required and we will continue to use the Swan-Canning clean-up program as a blueprint for reducing nutrients into the Swan River.
(1)-(2) I find it somewhat interesting that ever since the state budget has come down, members of the Opposition have said that we are not spending enough money here or enough money there, yet the Leader of the Opposition says we are spending too much money and we should not have revenue measures in the budget. There is a problem with that, Leader of the Opposition. If we have to spend money on all the things that people want to do in the community, we must raise the revenue to do it. This Government does that within the context of a balanced budget, unlike the Opposition when it was in power. The people of Western Australia will judge this Government when it comes time at the election. We will go into that election campaign with a lot of confidence because we know that we are meeting the challenges of our society. We are not complacent, we are not lazy and we are not incompetent. There is a plan in place to deal with the issues relating to the Swan River. Mr C.J. Barnett: Is there a committee? Dr G.I. GALLOP: No, a plan - one of the best in Australia - has been put in place by the Swan River Trust under which technology is being developed to reduce nutrients. We have enhanced this plan through the very successful river-bank restoration program - not so long ago I saw the minister on television talking about that highly successful program. We will continue to work with local communities, whether it be with families in the local neighbourhoods, farmers in the wheatbelt or workers in the industrial areas, to reduce the nutrients that go into the river. We have done a lot so far but, clearly, more is required and we will continue to use the Swan-Canning clean-up program as a blueprint for reducing nutrients into the Swan River.
Dr G.I. GALLOP: No, a plan - one of the best in Australia - has been put in place by the Swan River Trust under which technology is being developed to reduce nutrients. We have enhanced this plan through the very successful river-bank restoration program - not so long ago I saw the minister on television talking about that highly successful program. We will continue to work with local communities, whether it be with families in the local neighbourhoods, farmers in the wheatbelt or workers in the industrial areas, to reduce the nutrients that go into the river. We have done a lot so far but, clearly, more is required and we will continue to use the Swan-Canning clean-up program as a blueprint for reducing nutrients into the Swan River.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.