❓ Mr. Catania asks the Treasurer to reduce water and electricity charges for regional small businesses due to the impact of COVID-19. The Treasurer responds by highlighting existing support for small businesses and upcoming budget measures, while also criticising the previous government's actions during the GFC.
AnsweredQoN 141Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS —
STATE ECONOMY
141. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Treasurer:
I
refer to the impact that COVID-19 is having on regional small businesses, which
already face high costs. Will the Treasurer implement an immediate reduction in
water and electricity charges to help sole traders and mum-and-dad businesses
survive the difficult period approaching?
STATE ECONOMY
141. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Treasurer:
I
refer to the impact that COVID-19 is having on regional small businesses, which
already face high costs. Will the Treasurer implement an immediate reduction in
water and electricity charges to help sole traders and mum-and-dad businesses
survive the difficult period approaching?
AnswerView source ↗
As the Deputy Premier has already
pointed out, a range of decisions have been made by the government since at
least mid-last year to support small businesses in Western Australia. I note
that most of them have been opposed by the opposition but, nonetheless, we
proceeded with them. In respect of power and water bills, I think the member is
saying he wants a drop in business rates; is that what he is asking?
Mr V.A. Catania : A reduction
for small businesses.
Mr B.S. WYATT : A reduction—okay.
I think the member wants a reduction in the business tariffs; is that what it
is? The member needs to provide some detail in his question.
Mr V.A. Catania : The cost of
water and electricity in regional WA is through the roof.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr V.A. Catania : Reduce the
price.
Mr
B.S. WYATT : For businesses—okay.
I want to remind everybody of what happened during the global financial crisis: the former government increased power bills by 26 per cent.
Mr S.A. Millman : Shame!
Mr B.S. WYATT : That is what
happened during the global financial crisis.
The SPEAKER : Member for Mount
Lawley!
Mr S.A. Millman : Oh, come on!
The SPEAKER : Yes, I will come
on and I will call you to order for the third time.
Mr B.S. WYATT : We will not be
increasing power bills by 26 per cent like the former government did in the
heat of the global financial crisis. We have a budget coming out very soon that
will have a range of responses and a range of incentives to support businesses
and Western Australians regardless of where they live.
pointed out, a range of decisions have been made by the government since at
least mid-last year to support small businesses in Western Australia. I note
that most of them have been opposed by the opposition but, nonetheless, we
proceeded with them. In respect of power and water bills, I think the member is
saying he wants a drop in business rates; is that what he is asking?
Mr V.A. Catania : A reduction
for small businesses.
Mr B.S. WYATT : A reduction—okay.
I think the member wants a reduction in the business tariffs; is that what it
is? The member needs to provide some detail in his question.
Mr V.A. Catania : The cost of
water and electricity in regional WA is through the roof.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr V.A. Catania : Reduce the
price.
Mr
B.S. WYATT : For businesses—okay.
I want to remind everybody of what happened during the global financial crisis: the former government increased power bills by 26 per cent.
Mr S.A. Millman : Shame!
Mr B.S. WYATT : That is what
happened during the global financial crisis.
The SPEAKER : Member for Mount
Lawley!
Mr S.A. Millman : Oh, come on!
The SPEAKER : Yes, I will come
on and I will call you to order for the third time.
Mr B.S. WYATT : We will not be
increasing power bills by 26 per cent like the former government did in the
heat of the global financial crisis. We have a budget coming out very soon that
will have a range of responses and a range of incentives to support businesses
and Western Australians regardless of where they live.
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