Legislative Assembly
Tuesday, 16 October 2001
THE SPEAKER (Mr Riebeling) took the Chair at 2.00 pm, and read prayers.
HON DONALD GEORGE MAY - CONDOLENCE MOTION DR GALLOP (Victoria Park - Premier) [2.02 pm]: I move - That this House records its sincere regret at the death of Hon Donald George May and tenders its deep sympathy to his family. Donald George May was born on 15 February 1924 in Collie, the son of Henry Thomas May, a storeman and later politician, and Elizabeth Lyall Wilson. Don was educated at Collie Primary School, Perth Boys’ School and Perth Technical College, where he studied industrial law. After leaving school, Don worked for a short time in the Collie mines, and then as a clerk with the Western Australian Government Railways. Don enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in February 1943 and, as a private in the 2/2 commando squadron, served in the south west Pacific, New Guinea and New Britain. After being discharged in 1946, Don resumed work with the Western Australian Government Railways as a public relations officer until 1962. After joining the Australian Labor Party in 1941, Don was elected to this House as the member for Canning on 31 March 1962. He subsequently lost that seat at the state election in 1965. Don and his father, Henry Thomas May, who was the member for Collie from 1947 to 1968, became the first father and son to sit together in the Legislative Assembly. Don May was, in fact, the third generation of his family to be elected to this place, as his grandfather, Arthur Alan Wilson, also represented the people as the member for Collie from 1908 to his retirement in 1947. Following the 1965 state election loss, Don May worked with Goldsworthy Mining Ltd as an industrial and personnel officer, until being re-elected to this House as the member for Clontarf on 23 March 1968. He remained the member for Clontarf until his retirement in February 1977. Don served as the secretary of the Parliamentary Labor Party from 1969 until 1971. On the election of the Tonkin Labor Government in 1971, Don May became the Minister for Mines and the North-West from 3 March 1971 to 12 October 1971; Minister for Mines and Electricity from 12 October 1971 to 6 July 1972; and Minister for Mines, Electricity and Fuel from 6 July 1972 to 8 April 1974. Notably, during this period when Don was Minister for Mines, Electricity and Fuel, the Labor Government introduced uniform electricity tariffs, which were known then as the country town assistance scheme, whereby the cost of electricity per kilowatt was made standard across the State, irrespective of location. The then Labor Government also made the decision to build additional power generating capacity at Muja in Collie. Construction of stage C of the Muja power station began in April 1973. Following his time as a minister in the Tonkin Government, Don also served as the opposition spokesman on industrial development, mines, and fuel and energy from 1974 to 1976. Don also served the Parliament as a member of the select committee that inquired into the Fremantle Buffalo Club (Private) Bill in 1964. He also represented the Western Australian branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association at the general conference in Trinidad in 1969, and at the seventh Australian area conference in Canberra in 1963. After leaving Parliament in 1977, Don was chief industrial personnel officer with Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd from 1977 to 1979; also secretary and administrator of the Royal Western Australian Bowling Association from 1979 to 1986; and a project officer with the Australian Bicentennial Authority. He was also a director of Hill Minerals NL and a member of the Manning sub-branch of the Returned Services League. Don was also a former captain-coach of the Railway Institute football team and took an active interest in junior football. He also served as the president of the Manning Memorial Bowling Club, was a life member of the Perth Railway Institute Club, and a patron of numerous organisations. On behalf of all members of this House, I extend our deepest sympathy to Don May’s wife, Dawn, and his family. MR BARNETT (Cottesloe - Leader of the Opposition) [2.07 pm]: The Liberal Opposition joins in expressing condolences and sympathy particularly to Don May’s wife, Dawn, and to his family, friends and colleagues. The distinction of serving as a member of this Legislative Assembly at the same time as his father, and at the same time to have had a grandfather who served in this Parliament, is a unique record in the history of this Parliament, and, indeed, a unique family record in the history of government in this State. As the Premier said, Don May was born and educated in Collie. He worked on the railways. He then served overseas during the Second World War, as did so many of his generation, in the south west Pacific, New Guinea and New Britain, and was a member of the 2/2 commando squadron. He subsequently entered Parliament in 1962. It was a
4326 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] marginal seat that he won by 183 votes for the Australian Labor Party. It was at that time that he and his father sat together in this Chamber. He lost the seat of Canning in 1965. He was subsequently re-elected in 1968. He served as Minister for Mines, Electricity and Fuel during the Tonkin Administration. He continued his parliamentary career, and he finally retired in 1977. As the Premier stated, after Don May left politics, he continued his working life as an industrial and personnel officer with Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd. However, he also continued in a wide range of community and sporting activities through the Royal Western Australian Bowling Association, junior football, the Returned Services League and the Manning Memorial Bowling Club. Although I did not know Don May, I am certainly aware of his record. I am sure that a number of members of this Parliament knew him personally. From his biographical details and from the comments I have heard, it is clear that Don May was a distinguished Western Australian. He served this Parliament and his party well. I regard him as being in the old mould of a true Labor member of Parliament. Don May had a distinguished record of service in this Parliament, as a cabinet minister, and in the wider community. I again express on behalf of the Parliamentary Liberal Party and its lay organisation, particularly its former members who served with Don May, our sincere sympathy to his family and friends on this sad occasion. MR TRENORDEN (Avon - Leader of the National Party) [2.11 pm]: I join the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition in this condolence motion for Don May. I did not know Don May but, as happens in this place, I know many people who did know him. On behalf of the Parliamentary National Party and the people who extend through the family of the National Party who did know and well respected Don May, I extend my condolences to his family. I will not go through the history that the Leader of the Opposition and the Premier have outlined. However, I will make the point that not many members who leave this place - maybe one will today - are well respected across the Chamber. Don May was one of those people. He had friends on both sides of this House and the other House. He certainly had many friends in the National Party. We want that to be recorded. There is no question at all that his family can look back on his record and say that he was a parliamentarian who served the State well. MR PENDAL (South Perth) [2.13 pm]: I did know Don May. In one respect I regret to say that I knew him for more than 30 years. That is not a reflection on him but only on the way that the years tick by for all of us. I associate myself with the remarks made, and express my condolences to his widow Dawn and the children of his first marriage. I first knew Don May when I was a journalist in the press gallery, and as the state roundsman of the then Daily News. He was a senior member of the opposition benches in 1969 or 1970. Upon the change of government in 1971, he was sworn in as Minister for Mines, and one or two other subsidiary portfolios. He was viewed by a number in his party and outside, including people in the media, as a future leader of the Labor Party, bearing in mind that the era during which John Tonkin had led the party for such a long period was coming to an end. Fate intervened, as it so often does in these cases, and caused a redistribution of boundaries, which effectively put an end to Don May’s political career as a member of this House. The option he may have had to be re-endorsed for an upper House seat probably did not seem all that attractive to one who was in all respects not very far from the Labor leadership. Don May was regarded by his colleagues, certainly by those outside his party, as a moderate, decent and articulate man. I certainly associate myself with the Premier’s remarks about Don May’s Labor roots and working-class origins. He was something of an oddity because of the peculiar position of his sitting alongside his father in the House between 1962 and 1968. His father represented the seat of Collie and Don May represented the seat of Clontarf. Ironically, from my point of view, both in later life were voters in the South Perth electorate. The Premier has properly made a historical connection between Don May, his father Harry and Harry’s, I think, father-in-law, Mr A.A. Wilson, who was a member of this House as far back as 1908. Between the three of them, they occupied positions in this place for just under 40 years. Up to his last days, Don May was very active in the Manning community. He was the promoter of a small organisation called Manning 2000. Even at his advanced age and in not very good health, Don May decided that he would help celebrate the arrival of the new millennium by being at the forefront of the Manning 2000 celebrations. The people of Manning always had a sense of being separate from the wider South Perth community, and perhaps you, Mr Speaker, as an ex-Manning boy, will understand that. Since his death, I have been speaking to someone who probably knew Don May better than I did; he is the former editor of The West Australian, Don Smith. Between us we agreed very easily on the sort of things that Don May exemplified. He was a personable individual, very much a straight shooter and friendly, and one whose friendships extended across parliamentary and political lines. Probably in all respects he was the quintessential Australian male of his day. He was a good, decent and honest man. Like the rest of the House, I join in extending condolences to Dawn and his family. MR COWAN (Merredin) [2.17 pm]: As the only member of this Parliament who was in the Chamber at the time Don May spent his last term of office in the Parliament, it is appropriate that I join with the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of the National Party and the member for South Perth in expressing condolences to the May family on the loss of Don May.
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Everything that has been said about Don May today in this condolence motion is a very accurate reflection of the man. He was certainly able, as a member of Parliament, at any time to engage with members in as vigorous debate as one would like, but at the same time he was always able to leave behind any animosity that might enter into a debate. He was a good friend to many people on both sides of the Chamber. He is particularly well known to me for his contribution to the parliamentary sports club while he was a member. That is the area in which I probably had the greatest association with him. He was also a very active former member, who was one of the few who made a constant pilgrimage back to this august establishment to renew his friendship with a number of members in the Labor Party with whom he had struck up a very strong accord. To my recollection, there was a group of six of them. On almost every former members’ day, one would see those six people enjoying each other’s company and reminiscing about some of the occurrences in this place. I join the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of the National Party and the member for South Perth in extending condolences to Don May’s family. Question passed, members standing.
METROPOLITAN REGION SCHEME AMENDMENT 1023/33 - CITY OF NEDLANDS Statement by Minister for Planning and Infrastructure MS MacTIERNAN (Armadale - Minister for Planning and Infrastructure) [2.19 pm]: The Western Australian Planning Commission’s amendment 1023/33 to the metropolitan region scheme in the western districts consists of three proposals in the city of Nedlands: first, the former Hollywood Senior High School site - from “public purposes - high school” reservation to “urban” zone; second, the former Swanbourne Senior High School site - from “public purposes - high school” reservation to “urban” zone; and, third, the new Shenton College, the former Lemnos Hospital site and adjacent land - from “public purposes - hospital” reserve to “public purposes - high school” reserve and “public purposes - special uses” reserve and adjacent land bounded by Stubbs Terrace and Selby and Connie Streets from “public purposes - hospital” reserve to the “urban” zone and adjustment to the “railways” reservation. The Environmental Protection Authority advised that the proposed amendment did not require formal assessment. However, the Department of Environmental Protection provided advice on the key environmental factors for the Shenton College site. An extensive consultation process was carried out, including advertising of the amendment over a period of three months to invite public comment. The Western Australian Planning Commission has recommended that the amendment proceed to finalisation. The Hollywood and Swanbourne High Schools were closed by the previous Government in 2000 and the students accommodated at the new Shenton College, which was opened in 2001. The Education Department identified the Hollywood and Swanbourne sites as being surplus to its educational requirements, except for a portion of the Swanbourne site, which is being used for a new Swanbourne Primary School. Point of Order Mr DAY: I ask the minister to speak up, so that we can hear what she is saying. She is muttering to her boots. It would be appreciated if she would project her voice. The SPEAKER: That is not a point of order, and I am sure the minister now has her microphone turned on. Debate Resumed Ms MacTIERNAN: The Western Australian Planning Commission initiated this proposed amendment in 1999, as the Hollywood and Swanbourne sites were no longer required for any public purposes, and the site for the new Shenton College was designated in the MRS for “hospital” rather than “high school”. The commission approved of the development of the new college on the former Lemnos Hospital site in 1999 prior to this change of designation as is enabled by the legislation. Mr Speaker, can I get an extension to complete the reading? Mr Barnett: Just keep reading. Ms MacTIERNAN: Okay. The proposed transfer of the Hollywood and Swanbourne sites to the "urban" zone enables the Education Department and City of Nedlands to consider future land use, subdivision and development options for the site, and for the city to initiate proposed amendments to its town planning scheme. This involves further opportunity for community consultation on the detailed proposals for each site. The retention of existing vegetation and the appropriate zoning and density of future development are matters that may be addressed and considered at the time of the City of Nedlands town planning scheme amendments and at subdivision stage. It is understood that the Education Department has held discussions with the City of Nedlands regarding the future use and development of both sites and that meetings and workshops have been held with the local community in the case of the Hollywood site. There is a general level of support for the rezoning of the sites to “urban”.
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The proposed amendment was advertised for public comment for three months. Twenty-five submissions were received and eight hearings held. None of the proposals attracted significant opposition from community-based special interest groups, and all the matters raised can be satisfactorily addressed within local town planning schemes. The commission recommended to the previous minister in October 2000 that the proposed amendment be presented to His Excellency the Governor for consideration. The former Government did not present - Point of Order Mr DAY: The Opposition has been remarkably tolerant of this minister. She has gone over time by at least 45 seconds, and it is now time for her statement to be brought to a conclusion. She should prepare her brief ministerial statements. She should put the effort in and appreciate that statements should be completed in three minutes, and I can speak from experience. When statements are prepared, a lot of effort should be made to ensure they can be delivered in the time. If the minister wants to make a full ministerial statement she can do that. We have been remarkably tolerant, and it is time for her statement to come to an end. The SPEAKER: The member is correct; three minutes is the time allocated for short ministerial statements. [See papers Nos 726-729.] MR MICHAEL DAUBE, APPOINTMENT TO POSITION OF DIRECTOR GENERAL OF HEALTH Statement by Minister for Health MR KUCERA (Yokine - Minister for Health) [2.25 pm]: I am pleased today to inform the House on behalf of the Government of the appointment of Mr Michael Daube to the position of Director General of Health. Mr Daube has a long and distinguished history in the health industry both in Western Australia and internationally. I acknowledge his presence in the gallery today. He is the current chief executive officer of the Cancer Foundation of Western Australia and has worked in many senior roles within government, including assistant commissioner public health and chief executive of Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. His standing has been recognised by international and national awards and an honorary doctorate in science from the Curtin University of Technology. Mr Daube is known here and internationally for his commitment to improving health, and he is a leading international authority on health promotion and tobacco control. As a former Acting Commissioner of Health, he knows well the challenges before him. Health represents the single biggest area of expenditure by the State, with spending this year of $2.3 billion - one-quarter of the state budget. Health is also subject to an enormous range of pressures, including high community expectations, increasing costs, structural inefficiencies, powerful vested interests and the need for greater financial controls. Mr Daube has an innate understanding of the many pressures confronting the health system, and brings to the role strong management expertise and a capacity to work well with a range of interest groups. As the chair of the Western Australian Government’s Health Administrative Review Committee, Mr Daube is also exceedingly well placed to implement the Government’s reform agenda for health. He has an understanding of this Government’s commitment to openness and accountability, and under his stewardship I would expect the director general’s role to involve far greater direct communication with the public than has been the case in the past. I also take this opportunity to thank Professor Bryant Stokes, who took up the position in an acting capacity earlier this year. Professor Stokes’ guidance has been invaluable to me over the past few months, and I thank him for taking up the position during a time of transition. I will be inviting Professor Stokes to become chair of the new Health Advisory Council. Mr Daube has indicated to me that he will take up the director general’s position on 12 November. I look forward to working with him to ensure that the Government continues to provide high quality, accessible health services to all Western Australians.
ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER COMMISSION, STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT Statement by Minister for Indigenous Affairs MR CARPENTER (Willagee - Minister for Indigenous Affairs) [2.27 pm]: I would like to tell the House about a historic event that I was privileged to be part of. Last week, the Premier and I signed a statement of commitment with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission. We also launched the Indigenous Affairs Advisory Committee. Both events will have a significant impact on the way we as a State Government do business with the indigenous community of Western Australia. The practice of past Governments of telling the Aboriginal community what is good for them is over. Our Government wants to build a strong and equal partnership with Aboriginal people. The signing of the statement of commitment is a watershed moment in starting to build this partnership. ATSIC provides $250 million in funding to Western Australia every year. State programs and resources need to be linked to and integrated with this funding. We need to work with ATSIC on these programs rather than duplicate them as has happened in the past.
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The Government is committed to reviewing and streamlining the State’s administrative and consultative arrangements in the field of indigenous affairs. We need to save money on bureaucracy and move it to services for clients. This need for greater efficiency is one of the reasons for the State Government entering into an alliance with ATSIC. The Department of Indigenous Affairs and ATSIC are currently developing a working alliance that will reduce duplication and improve services to Aboriginal people in this State. This agreement will see Aboriginal representatives involved in discussions directly with the highest levels of Government. I commend the work of the Department of Indigenous Affairs, under the work of the acting Director General, Mr Richard Curry, in developing this new partnership with ATSIC that will benefit all Aboriginal communities. I also compliment Mr Mick Goodyer of ATSIC for the good work that he has done in bringing about this agreement. The Indigenous Affairs Advisory Committee, which I will chair, will consist of directors general of relevant government departments, commonwealth and local government representatives and independent indigenous representatives. This committee will sweep the board clean on previous government relations with the Aboriginal community. This committee will work in partnership to reach common goals and address the economic and social disadvantages of Aboriginal people in our community. The committee will listen to and work with representatives of the Aboriginal community at the highest level of the public sector bureaucracy. The Indigenous Affairs Advisory Committee will ensure that there is Aboriginal participation in the development of advice and recommendations that come to the Cabinet Standing Committee on Social Policy and to the Premier. The importance this Government is placing on the Indigenous Affairs Advisory Committee will be a clear message to the directors general within the public sector that the Government is committed to listening to Aboriginal people as part of a new and just relationship, based on partnerships. YOUTH DECLARATION Statement by Minister for Youth MS McHALE (Thornlie - Minister for Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth) [2.31 pm]: On 23 September I was privileged to attend the presentation, and receive a copy of, the first National Youth Declaration. At the ceremony were His Excellency the Governor General of Australia, the Rt Rev Peter Hollingworth; our Premier Dr Geoff Gallop and political representatives from around the nation. The declaration was developed by delegates who attended the Centenary of Federation Youth Conference on 21, 22 and 23 September. The conference brought together 250 young people representing all States and Territories of Australia under the banner of “Imagine your Australia”. The conference and accompanying Youth Festival was the only Centenary of Federation centrepiece event in the nation with a total focus on young people. It was organised by Westrek with the involvement and input of a team of youth volunteers who determined the direction of the conference, and I acknowledge their support and assistance. An amount of $600 000 was provided by the Centenary of Federation national committee. In addition, state government contributions included $100 000 from the Office of Youth Affairs, which planned and implemented this project, and $155 000 from the Lotteries Commission. The budget was significant, and this demonstrates the importance, in a year that celebrates our past, of providing an event with a strong focus on the future, especially in these times of global uncertainty. The declaration is underpinned by a series of 36 recommendations that cover the priorities identified by conference delegates. These are the environment, the community, education, reconciliation, health and human rights. These recommendations are currently in the process of ratification by the conference delegates, and I look forward to being presented with them shortly. We should all take note of the outcomes of the conference - the declaration and the recommendations - as these will provide input for the development of future youth policy. However, these policy directions should not be confined only to the area of youth policy. I encourage all members to take the time to consider the views of the young people of Australia as expressed at the conference and keep them in mind throughout their own activities in setting the policy and legislative directions for the future. The declaration can be accessed from the conference web site at www.imagineoz.com.au, and I now table a copy of the declaration for the interest of members. [See paper No 730.] RAIL CROSSINGS Statement by Minister for Planning and Infrastructure MS MacTIERNAN (Armadale - Minister for Planning and Infrastructure) [2.33 pm]: This statement is made in response to the report by the State Coroner into the tragic deaths of Christian Jensen, Jessica-Lea Broad and Hillary Smith at a railway level crossing on Yarramony Road near Jennacubbine on 8 July 2000. Immediately after coming to government I met with Mr and Mrs Broad, Jessica-Lea’s parents, to discuss how we could progress the issue. I have kept the families informed of the actions taken since we have been in government.
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Since the crash, Main Roads has erected additional signs at the Yarramony Road crossing, and signs have also been painted on the surface of the road to improve driver awareness of the existence of the rail crossing. A review of unprotected rail crossings on public roads has identified a further 24 rail crossings similar to that at Yarramony Road, and plans are proceeding to raise the standard of signage at these crossings to that which now exists on Yarramony Road. The coroner has praised Main Roads for the positive approach it has taken since the time of the crash and its ongoing efforts to improve road safety at rail crossings. In November 2000, the former WA Minister for Transport took a proposal to the Australian Transport Council seeking a nationally consistent best practice approach to reducing the risk of collisions between trains and motor vehicles at level crossings. In response, the ATC asked the Australian Rail Operations Unit to investigate, in consultation with the rail industry, other jurisdictions and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, and to report on its preferred options. On coming to government I reinforced to the ATC that we believed that a national response needed to be developed as a matter of urgency. The AROU report found inter alia that no statistical or research evidence had been identified that showed that improving the visibility of locomotives was the best or most cost-effective method of reducing the risk of collisions at passive crossings. However, at the meeting at which the AROU report was considered, I made it clear that action was needed and the ATC agreed that the Australian Transport Safety Bureau would do more work to get positive recommendations. Austroads was also asked to consider road treatments. I am very concerned that it appears that no evidence was found to support the installation of flashing lights on trains simply because no trial had been undertaken. Although work is continuing at a national level to address the issue of reducing collision risk at passive level crossings, it is obvious that a national approach is some way off. Although we need a national approach to deal with interstate trains, which are a very significant percentage of train traffic, I am no longer prepared to wait for the decision of the other States before taking action on this matter. The State Coroner has recommended that immediate action be taken to identify forms of external auxiliary lighting devices which could be fitted. In response to the coroner’s recommendations, I have now instructed the WA Commissioner for Railways, in consultation with the Department for Planning and Infrastructure, Main Roads and state and federal rail regulators to report within three weeks on how best to implement, and the cost of implementing, the coroner’s recommendations. QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE PREMIUM PROPERTY TAX, ABOLITION 412. Mr BARNETT to the Premier: I refer the Premier to his media release dated 11 October 2001 announcing the backflip on the premium property tax because his was “a Government that listens”, and ask to whom did the Premier listen? Was it the 900 people initially affected by the tax; was it the 30 000 land owners that the Real Estate Institute of WA announced would eventually be hit by the tax; or was it his federal Labor colleagues in Western Australia who were desperate not to lose their jobs as a result of rising voter anger over this unfair tax on the family home? Dr GALLOP replied: I listened to the people whom the previous Government did not listen to when it built the belltower and when it privatised our public assets. They are the people to whom I listened. When this issue emerged, the opposition parties and other people in the community said that we should drop it. The Treasurer and I listened to the community about the issue, judged their concerns that it was a tax on the family home, raised issues about the assets and income mix of the people who were affected by the tax, and then said that we would move on. We have dropped it; we have moved on; where is the Opposition? It is extraordinary to find that we did what the Opposition said we should do and it is still complaining. What sort of an Opposition is that? PREMIUM PROPERTY TAX, FAMILY HOME 413. Mr BARNETT to the Premier: I have a supplementary question. Will the Premier rule out ever introducing a tax on the family home? Dr GALLOP replied: The premium property tax is dead. ANTHRAX THREAT, GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE 414. Mr LOGAN to the Premier: What is the State Government’s response to the so-called anthrax scares that have been recorded in the community? Dr GALLOP replied: What we are seeing is clearly the result of a heightened sense of anxiety in the community resulting from the small number of confirmed anthrax cases in the United States.
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Mr Omodei interjected. The SPEAKER: The member for Warren-Blackwood! Dr GALLOP: There have been numerous scares in Australia. In Western Australia there have been 28 reports to police. In all cases the suspicious material was found to be harmless. Although no Government can provide an absolute guarantee against terrorist attacks using biological or chemical agents, the reality is that the chances of that happening in Western Australia, or even Australia, are remote. However, in the event that any such attack takes place, we are assured by our medical authorities that Western Australia has on hand large stocks of the antibiotics, as well as vaccines, needed to treat anthrax. We also have a first-class network of public health laboratories capable of identifying anthrax. The reality is that what we are experiencing today is probably a combination of two things: false alarms and, unfortunately, deliberate hoaxes. I reassure the public that the police will treat seriously all reported cases of suspicious letters or parcels. If people have genuine concerns, they should report them to the police and appropriate action will be taken. We will not tolerate deliberate attempts by small-minded individuals or groups to create fear and hysteria in the community. We will ensure that people perpetrating hoaxes of this kind will face the full force of the law. I am advised that the maximum penalty for such hoaxes under the commonwealth Crimes Act is five years imprisonment. Police can also seek the recovery of all expenses associated with investigations, and individuals or businesses can seek damages through the civil courts. Under state legislation, the maximum penalty for creating a false belief is $500 or six months imprisonment. Today I asked the Attorney General to review the penalties under our state legislation with a view to bringing them into line with the commonwealth penalties. That means that anyone engaging in hoaxes of these kinds can and will face severe criminal and civil penalties. I repeat: we as a Government will not tolerate the spreading of fear and anxiety throughout the community. My advice to everyone is to be calm but vigilant. There is a danger that we can become overwhelmed by the events that we are witnessing, and we must understand the consequence of that happening. We need to take precautions and be vigilant, but we must not surrender to fear and hysteria. If we do that, terrorism is the winner.
PREMIUM PROPERTY TAX, WA LABOR FEDERAL MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT CANVASSED 415. Ms SUE WALKER to the Treasurer: I refer to an article in The Australian Financial Review on 12 October 2001, in which the Treasurer is quoted as saying that he had canvassed opinion from “a couple of federal colleagues” before his backflip on the premium property tax on family homes. Will the Treasurer advise which of the Western Australian Labor federal members of Parliament and candidates expressed concern to him over the premium property tax? Mr RIPPER replied: It is amazing how the Opposition wishes to go over a matter that is absolutely dead. The premium land tax is dead. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr RIPPER: However, some ghouls opposite want to disinter the bones and dangle them before the community to continue to make political capital out of the issue. Dr Gallop: What do we call that? Political necrophilia. Mr RIPPER: I consulted with a wide range of people in the community. For example, I spoke to a meeting of self- funded retirees in Bunbury. I read a lot of letters both to me and in the Press. I also spoke to a wide range of people in the community whom I came across in my daily political activities. Indeed, in my daily political activities I had discussions with three different federal candidates for the Australian Labor Party. I do not think it is necessary to put their names on the public record. They passed on to me the community views that they had received, and I took that into account, along with all the other soundings, when I considered whether or not this tax had been considered as fair and reasonable by the community. The Premier and I consulted and took a recommendation to Cabinet. The tax is dead.
PREMIUM PROPERTY TAX, MR BEAZLEY 416. Ms SUE WALKER to the Treasurer: Is the Treasurer saying that Mr Beazley or his staff did not express any concern to the Labor Government about the premium property tax? Mr RIPPER replied: I did not speak to Mr Beazley on this matter.
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EDUCATION, GOODS AND SERVICES TAX 417. Ms RADISICH to the Minister for Education: Does the minister agree with the statements by the Prime Minister in the televised debate with the leader of the federal Opposition, Kim Beazley, that the goods and services tax is the greatest thing that anyone has done for education in this country in recent years? Mr CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for the question. The worm turned in a very dramatic fashion when the Prime Minister of Australia made what could be described only as a remarkable assertion that the best thing that had happened for education in Australia was the introduction of the GST. As a loyal ABC watcher, I was not attuned to the worm until it was brought to my attention later on. I, like the rest of the studio audience, could not disagree more with the Prime Minister. I doubt whether there is a single member of this Chamber who in all honesty thinks that the Prime Minister was right when he said those stupid words in the debate. If that is the best that the Prime Minister can offer education - so far he has not offered us a great deal else - it is quite clear, both from the context of the remark and the remark itself, that he is completely out of touch with what is going on in his country. At the moment he certainly does not understand, and he probably never did understand, the reality that faces ordinary Australian people as they go about their daily lives. I doubt very much whether even the former Minister for Education, who was an advocate of the GST, would think that there was much truth in the Prime Minister’s statement. I am quite certain that he would share my view that it was a ridiculous statement and completely unjustified. Wholesale sales tax savings were supposed to accrue to the Western Australian Department of Education. However, because of the abolition of that tax, a $6 million saving never came to pass. What happens? We must find extra money to make up for that gap. The GST is on virtually every purchase that parents make, such as their children’s books, transport costs, shoes, school bags, uniforms and sports equipment. For the Prime Minister of Australia to make such a statement shows that he either does not understand or does not care. I reflect upon what the Business Council of Australia and Rupert Murdoch said about education. I wondered whether they had been reading my pre-election speeches because they made exactly the same point that I made; that is, education is in crying need of extra resources in Australia and in Western Australia. We are getting no assistance from this federal Government. The federal Government has no concept of the importance and the value of education. There was little of it in the previous State Government. The rhetoric did not match the reality. If Australian people want to do something about the future for their children, which is inextricably linked with the health of the education system in Australia, they will take the opportunity at the forthcoming federal election to choose between the Prime Minister, who thinks that the best thing he can do is tax people into the ground, drive the economy from a four per cent growth to less than two per cent and put people out of work, or the Labor Party alternative, who is promoting education as the most important thing that this nation must address.
COASTGUARD PROPOSAL 418. Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN to the Premier: I refer to the Premier’s unqualified support on Radio 6PR this morning for Mr Beazley’s United States-style coastguard proposal. (1) Is the Premier aware, as reported in The Australian today, that the Navy has stated that Mr Beazley’s plan will have a “significant detrimental operational impact” and reduce training opportunities for naval officers? (2) What impact will the coastguard proposal, which undoubtedly will cut resources from the Navy, have on personnel based at Stirling Naval Base? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(2) The federal Leader of the Opposition and our colleague in the federal Parliament, Mr Kim Beazley, has hit the mark with his coastguard proposal. He is right on the money, and I will tell members why. The reason that we have a Navy is the same reason that we have an Air Force and an Army; that is, to defend the country; and that is what we want the focus of the Navy, the Air Force and the Army to be. There are a number of very good reasons that the people of Western Australia should be very pleased with the coastguard announcement. The first is that Western Australia has taken the brunt of the problems associated with people smuggling and illegal entry into Australia. What Mr Beazley has come up with is a creative response to that problem, and it will improve the way in which we protect our borders from Wyndham in the north right down to the south west of our State. We are talking about illegal fishing, the illegal entry of drugs, and people smuggling. The coastguard will be able to police those issues more adequately. There is another reason that the people of Western Australia should find Mr Beazley’s proposal very attractive. Let us look at Mr Beazley’s record for the people of Western Australia. Who brought the Navy to Western Australia?
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Government members: Kim Beazley! Dr GALLOP: Who created a defence precinct at Stirling? Government members: Kim Beazley! Dr GALLOP: Who brought the Collins-class submarines to Western Australia? Government members: Kim Beazley! Dr GALLOP: Under a Beazley Government, those coastguard vessels will be built in Australia; and because of the promotion by the former Labor Government and the just defeated coalition Government, we have a first class, cutting edge shipbuilding industry in this State. There will be 1 500 jobs, and $450 million will be invested in those new ships. I have written to Mr Beazley today and have said that we are ready, willing and able to build those ships and to have those jobs in Western Australia. The coastguard will do for Western Australia what Mr Beazley did for Western Australia when he was Minister for Defence; namely, create jobs and more security for our State.
PUBLIC HOSPITALS, TRUST ACCOUNT AUDITING 419. Mr QUIGLEY to the Minister for Health: My question follows a report that I read in The West Australian last week. What progress has been made in auditing the trust accounts at public hospitals? Mr KUCERA replied: I thank the member for his question and note that the member raised this issue during the estimates committee hearings. About 1 000 special-purpose trust accounts are held in the four teaching hospitals in Western Australia; and I thank the member for giving me the opportunity to clarify some of the issues with regard to hospital trust accounts generally. Those trust accounts are valued at about $70 million. Auditors from Ernst and Young have been reviewing these accounts, and the Government has yet to see the final report. However, a preliminary report highlights a lack of due process, transparency and an accountability framework with regard to the administration of these trusts. The report indicates that this lack of accountability brings with it the potential, as I said during the estimates committee hearings, for misuse of the moneys held in these accounts. These preliminary findings, and the findings of previous reports into hospital trust accounts, indicate a need to improve the trust account system to ensure proper accountability mechanisms are in place. There can be no risk of abuse if this is done, and as a Government we are absolutely committed to ensuring that there can be and will be no abuse of this system. I am also confident, having spoken to the doctors, that the vast majority of doctors want the trust system to be improved so that they will be protected and public money will be protected. As a Government, we guarantee that if any evidence comes forward of misuse of these funds, we will act accordingly.
LAND TAX INCREASES, BUSSELTON-MARGARET RIVER AREA 420. Mr TRENORDEN to the Treasurer: I refer to the increases in land tax of between 100 per cent and 300 per cent for businesses in the Busselton-Margaret River area, including caravan parks and other tourism facilities used by ordinary families. (1) Was the Treasurer aware of the enormous increases in the Valuer General’s valuation of land in this area when he framed the revised land tax scales? (2) Does the Treasurer agree that many businesses will be pushed into the new increased land tax brackets as a result of these increased valuations? (3) If so, will the Treasurer revise the new land tax scales? Mr RIPPER replied: (1)-(3) The increases in valuations and the consequent land tax increases in the Busselton area relate to the existing land tax legislation. Indeed, they relate to the coalition’s land tax scheme. Nothing has been passed by this Parliament with regard to land tax as a result of the Gallop Government’s state budget. What is happening is that businesses are receiving their land tax assessment for this financial year based on the existing legislation. What is happening with that existing legislation is what has happened over many years; namely, there are increases in valuation, and those increases in valuation are not uniform; therefore, in some areas the valuation increases will be higher than they are in other areas. I am advised that the Valuer General has indicated that his officers’ valuation of unimproved land with a tourism development rating has increased substantially. This reflects a catch-up component, because last year’s valuation was considered to be conservative, and it also reflects evidence from recent property sales. If the owners of that land consider that the Valuer General’s valuation is wrong, they have the capacity under existing mechanisms to appeal that valuation, and I hope they will take that opportunity.
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With regard to whether the proposed changes to the land tax scale will impact on the valuations and the amount of tax paid, that will depend on the valuation. Fifty-two thousand taxpayers will no longer pay land tax as a result of the restructuring of the land tax scale. Most of those people will be owners of land in the country. The increases in the scale apply to land valued at between $2 million and $5 million, and to land valued at more than $5 million. We will need to look at the particular cases - of course I am not given access as a minister to the individual circumstances of taxpayers - to determine whether the new scales will impact on particular Busselton landowners. LAND TAX INCREASES, BUSSELTON-MARGARET RIVER AREA 421. Mr TRENORDEN to the Treasurer: I ask a supplementary question. Mr McGinty: You have an unhealthy interest in the Liberal seat of Busselton, have you not? Mr TRENORDEN: I have a big interest in the seat of Busselton. It will be a National Party seat after the next election. Does the Treasurer concede that the new land tax scale and the Valuer General’s valuation will dramatically increase revenue to the State? Mr RIPPER replied: What an extraordinary question! If people are complaining about tax increases, that automatically means that the revenue to the State will be increased. I have another piece of information to offer the House. The Valuer General is not in my portfolio, but I have just been advised that the Valuer General will be meeting with affected landowners later this week. HEALTH SYSTEM, PUBLIC CONFIDENCE 422. Mr BOARD to the Minister for Health: I refer to one of the minister’s first media statements in which he states that the Government needs the input and support of doctors, nurses and other health professionals if it is to improve public confidence in our health system. Given the Australian Medical Association’s announcement yesterday that a survey of salaried doctors in the public health system shows that 90 per cent of them believe the public health system has deteriorated since he was appointed Minister for Health, and 77 per cent of doctors rate his performance as below average or poor, will the minister admit that he has lost the support of our doctors and as a result, by his own definition, will not be able to deal with the problems in our public health system? Mr KUCERA replied: I was pleased to learn that the member for Murdoch reads the Australian Medical Association’s own web page, because that is where the survey was conducted. I suppose it is a bit like asking the Cottesloe branch of the Liberal Party to judge the performance of the current Leader of the Opposition; it would be about the same. The health system in this State is a partnership between all the people who run it, including the doctors. We currently have reached settlement with the nurses, we almost have settlement with the Hospital Salaried Officers Association - it is voting on the matters this week - and from the information I received this morning from the Commissioner of Health, we are moving forward at a steady pace on the pay settlement with the doctors. I also watch with interest the partnership that needs to be put in place with the federal Government. I have a real dread when I learn that in a future Liberal Government, Bronwyn Bishop is likely to be the Minister for Health. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order, members! Mr KUCERA: Having watched her performance and having dealt with her at the last three meetings, I think we should have a real sense of dread of her ever becoming the Minister for Health in this country. If that happened, there is no way we could have a partnership that would allow us to deal with the vast majority of doctors who are general practitioners. I also suggest to the member for Murdoch that we look at the number of doctors in this State who are not salaried doctors, but are paid by the federal Government - our GPs. We should also look at the extreme shortage of GPs and the lack of consideration they have been given by this current federal Government. It will be a black day for us if we have to move forward in a partnership with somebody who does not care about the health and the conditions of aged people in this State. RAVENSTHORPE NICKEL PROJECT, GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE 423. Mr WATSON to the Minister for State Development: I understand that the Minister for State Development recently announced that the State Government would provide $18.4 million to assist in the establishment of the Ravensthorpe nickel project. Will the minister tell the House more about this commitment?
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Mr BROWN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. I am sorry that members opposite are not interested in this very important development. This is a BHP-Billiton development at Ravensthorpe. It provides the opportunity for investment of $945 million and potentially the creation of an additional 300 jobs in the immediate area. Importantly this project proposes to use a local work force, that is not fly-in, fly-out, and that is why the Government is keen to support it. One of the key issues raised by many people in this country area is the degree to which fly in, fly out arrangements have disadvantaged people in remote locations. Mr Barnett: This is Ravensthorpe! That is not the issue for the project. There are other issues, and that is not one of them. Ravensthorpe is in the south west of the State on the way to Esperance. Mr BROWN: We have indicated support for this project by allocating funds to support the common-user infrastructure and on the basis that it will have a local work force. That is important, because I do not know of many major resource projects established over the past eight years that have used a local work force. This is something new, and it will be very welcome in Western Australia, particularly for those regional members who have constantly complained to me and to my predecessors about fly in, fly out work forces, and wages being paid in country areas but spent in the metropolitan area. The State Government indicated its preparedness to take the matter up with the federal minister, Senator Nick Minchin, and sought from him a co-payment equivalent to that amount - that is, also $18.4 million - in terms of making - Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: No, this is common-user infrastructure. Does the member not understand? Mr Barnett: Are you paying funds to the company? Mr BROWN: I give up with the Leader of the Opposition. We sought a commitment from the federal Government to get this project up. One would think this would be a good commitment for a federal minister during an election campaign if he was interested in Western Australia. What would be a great commitment? Would not a federal minister love the Government of the day in one State asking him to make a commitment to this project? This is a gift. We dream about these things. Yet, where is the minister? We have not heard from him; we have not heard any commitment to this project. Members opposite say that the Howard Government has been great for Western Australia. Which Government removed accelerated depreciation? Which Government had a major impact on new and major capital projects in Western Australia by removing accelerated depreciation? This was the worst tax decision ever for capital intensive projects in this State, yet those on the other side are pretending that this little bloke in Canberra has made some terrific tax decisions that have benefited Western Australia. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order members! Mr BROWN: Let us also consider his terrific tax decision on research and development tax concessions. This is the bloke who has really taken Australia forward in relation to intellectual capacity. Do members know what he did with R&D in the taxation system? He changed it. Do members know what happened with R&D funding after he changed the tax system? It crashed. These are the people who support the current Prime Minister who is leading Australia. I can tell members that he is not supporting Western Australia; he is not supporting the research and development effort in this State - never has, never will - he does not understand it; and he is certainly not supporting the major resource projects in this State. I know the Leader of the Opposition does not want to hear it, I know he hates hearing the truth, but the one thing he will be reminded about over and over again in this place is the truth, because in this place he cannot escape from it. MANDATORY SENTENCING, REVIEW 424. Mr JOHNSON to the Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs: I refer the minister to his reassurance on 21 August this year that mandatory sentencing laws, which have the support of 93 per cent of the community, will not be repealed, and ask - (1) Can the minister inform the House of the terms of reference of the current review into mandatory sentencing mentioned in The West Australian on 20 September this year? (2) If the minister does not intend to repeal or water down these laws in Western Australia, why is this review necessary? (3) Given that his federal leader, Kim Beazley, has made it clear that a federal ALP Government would repeal these laws, is this review an indication that the Gallop Government is softening its stance on this issue? Mr McGINTY replied: (1)-(3) The answer to the last question is no. The answer to the first question is that we have no intention whatsoever of repealing the mandatory sentencing laws as they apply through section 401 of the Criminal Code in relation
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to home burglary in this State. The review of the mandatory sentencing laws is required by statute. When the law was introduced in 1996, a section was put into the Act that required a review after four or five years. That review is current. I should be in a position to table that review in the Parliament next month. LIVE SHEEP EXPORTS, PORT OF BUNBURY 425. Mr DEAN to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure: Will the minister give the Government’s position on live sheep exports through the port of Bunbury? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: I thank the member for this question. The member has been a strong opponent of the live sheep trade through Bunbury, and he has made his position clear to me over the past week. When I was in Bunbury last week, the Bunbury Port Authority advised me that it had been approached by a meat exporter, which had indicated that it wished to establish a feed lot at Kemerton and to export live sheep through the port of Bunbury. The port authority indicated that it was keen to pursue this matter, because it believed that there would be economic benefit for the port and for the community from that activity. I made it clear to the port authority that although it was its right to pursue the application, from the Government’s point of view, the port authority would require strong community support and also environmental approvals before it could proceed with any such proposal. I also understand that a variety of federal government approvals may be required. I can assure the member for Bunbury that if this proposal does not secure community support, it will not go ahead. I understand the member’s concerns. A lot of effort has gone into upgrading the area of Bunbury around the port. Bunbury has gone through somewhat of a renaissance with the Marlston Hill development, and the Government does not want that real growth that has been achieved in Bunbury to be jeopardised. I assure the member for Bunbury that his representations will be taken into account. Unless there is good community support for the live sheep export trade through Bunbury, it will not happen.
DUNCRAIG HOUSE, SALE Petition Dr Woollard presented the following petition bearing the signatures of 37 persons - To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of Western Australia in Parliament assembled. We, the undersigned request the Parliament to ask the Government to 1. not sell Duncraig House and its surrounding land. Duncraig House is an integral part of the Heathcote Heritage and Parkland Area. It is an important historical site with Point Heathcote being a landing for Captain Stirling in 1827. Duncraig House is a valuable community asset south of the river and should be kept for community use; 2. adhere to the Heathcote Coordinating Agreement between the Minister for Lands and the City of Melville dated 9/01/01. This Agreement, amongst other things, preserves the Heathcote lower land permanently for Parks and Recreation with full public use and access. Now we ask the Legislative Assembly to note our view in order that the Government reject the sale of Duncraig House and maintain the lower lands as Parks and Recreation with full public use and access. [See petition No 62.]
DENMARK MULTIPURPOSE HEALTH SERVICE Petition Mr House presented a petition bearing 1 200 signatures, urging the members of the Legislative Assembly to listen to their request to provide an adequate health service, and that that health service be completed by 2003. [See petition No 63.]
MALE TO MALE SEX ACTS, AGE OF CONSENT Petition Mr Johnson presented the following petition bearing the signatures of 580 persons - To the Honourable Speaker and members of the Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of Western Australia in Parliament assembled: We, the undersigned, totally oppose the lowering of the age of consent to 16 years of age for male to male sex acts. We are gravely concerned that young males would become prey for homosexuals, paedophiles and
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commercial sex industry operators. If a child looks 16, but is aged between 13 and 15, loopholes in the law, namely the Criminal codes, could then allow a perpetrator or paedophile a way of avoiding conviction. We respectfully believe that it is the responsibility of the community to protect young people whilst they are still maturing, from undesirable ‘minority’ pressures. We uphold that the legal age of consent should remain 21 years of age. Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that you will give this matter your earnest consideration and your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. [See petition No 64.] MALE TO MALE SEX ACTS, AGE OF CONSENT Petition Mrs Hodson-Thomas presented the following petition bearing the signatures of 807 persons - To the Honourable Speaker and members of the Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of Western Australia in Parliament assembled: We, the undersigned, totally oppose the passing of the following proposed legislation relating to: (1) Homosexuality including lowering the age of consent for male homosexual acts from 21 years to 16 years of age, the repeal of sections 23 and 24 of the Law Reform (Decriminalization of Sodomy) Act 1989, anti-discrimination legislation and formal recognition of de facto relationships including homosexual relations; (2) Drugs including Heroin prescription trials, injecting rooms and the softening of Cannabis laws; and (3) Legalisation of Prostitution. Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that you will give this matter your earnest consideration and your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. [See petition No 65.] KALAMUNDA DISTRICT COMMUNITY HOSPITAL, OBSTETRICS SERVICE Petition Mr Day presented the following petition bearing the signatures of 1 377 persons - To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of Western Australia in Parliament assembled. We, the undersigned, say that the Obstetrics service provided at the Kalamunda District Community Hospital is an important service and it would be a grave disservice to the community if childbirth could not continue at Kalamunda. With more than 400 births a year at the hospital, obstetrics is a major part of the care offered at the local hospital. Now we ask that the Legislative Assembly call on the State Government to: 1. acknowledge that the Kalamunda District Community Hospital is of crucial importance to local families who are facing childbirth. 2. ensure that obstetric services continue to be provided at Kalamunda District Community Hospital. 3. complete the $5.5 million redevelopment of Kalamunda District Community Hospital as commenced by the previous State government and as promised by the Labor Party in the recent election campaign. [See petition No 66.] GAY AND LESBIAN PEOPLE, DISCRIMINATION Petition Ms Guise (Deputy Speaker) presented the following petition bearing the signatures of 22 persons - To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Parliament of Western Australia in Parliament assembled. We, the undersigned, say that discrimination in Western Australia against Gay and Lesbian people should cease herewith. Now we ask that the Legislative Assembly endorse the legislative recommendations of the Ministerial Committee on Lesbian and Gay reform. [See petition No 67.]
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MEMBER FOR MERREDIN, PERSONAL EXPLANATION Retirement MR COWAN (Merredin) [3.25 pm]: In August at the National Party convention, I announced my intention to retire from the Legislative Assembly seat of Merredin and to contest a seat in the Senate for Western Australia. After more than 27 years in the Western Australian Parliament, 23 as the Leader of the National Party and eight as Deputy Premier, it is time to pursue new challenges that will come from engaging a different sphere of politics. My decision to retire is not one that has been made lightly. It is recognised that it will cause some inconvenience and the added cost of a by-election in the seat of Merredin, but that is inevitable. It is also by no means certain that the National Party will regain a seat in the Senate. The last time this was achieved for the party was by the late Sir Thomas Drake-Brockman at a double dissolution of the Federal Parliament in 1975. Few people, if any, have had the range of experiences that I have had as a member of the Western Australian Parliament. I began in 1974 as a new member on the parliamentary back bench supporting a coalition Government led by Sir Charles Court. At the election, the Country Party membership had been reduced from 14 to nine and the relevance of the junior coalition partner was being seriously questioned both inside and outside the party. For a person who had developed an interest in politics while attending boarding school not far from this place, but who had given no real thought to pursuing a career in the Parliament until challenged by the Country Party executive to contest the seat of Merredin-Yilgarn in 1974, it is an understatement to say that I was ill-prepared for the job. Prior to my endorsement in late 1973, I had never visited the Parliament and had not been active in the party outside the local branch structure. The machinations of the coalition and party politics were as far removed from the vagaries of farming as any profession could be. Not surprisingly, after four turbulent formative years, in 1978 I found myself pushed out of the Country Party, establishing the breakaway National Party and sitting on the crossbenches of the Parliament. Believe me, Mr Speaker, that is a lonely place. It took seven long years to bring the two country parties back together again, but it was accomplished in 1985. One of the most satisfactory times of my parliamentary career was when the rewards were given to the amalgamated party by electors in the 1986 state general election. Our success in that election laid the foundation for the National Party of Australia here in Western Australia. Although the party remained on the crossbenches, with nine members it was no longer such a lonely existence, and with an end to internal divisions, the party was at last able to concentrate on winning government. It took a further seven years before we could achieve that objective. In 1992 we were able to negotiate the establishment of the coalition with the Liberal Party. We then went on to win government as a coalition in 1993. The coalition negotiations were not easy. I make no apologies to my colleagues or to the Liberal Party for that. Under my leadership, I wanted to ensure that government policy and direction had significant input from the National Party. After several weeks of tough negotiations, that objective was achieved at the cost, I might say, of considerable popularity within the coalition. Although we spent eight years in coalition, and in my opinion delivered good government to the electors of Western Australia, I doubt that the popularity of the National Party within the coalition was ever recaptured - perhaps it never existed in the first instance. I think I can say, however, that the National Party ministers in the coalition Government earned the respect of many people because of what was delivered to regional Western Australia. In these times of political inertia and greater disregard for regional Western Australians, what was delivered by the coalition is only now being appreciated by those who choose to live and work in the bush. My purpose in giving that very brief history is not to indulge in political point scoring, but to indicate that I have been privileged to serve in this Parliament, firstly, as a government backbencher, then on the crossbenches, in opposition, and finally as a senior government minister. This range of experiences has given me a slightly different perspective of politics in this State. From those experiences I would like to make some observations. Politics is adversarial by nature. Governments are elected to implement change, but the vehicle through which change must be made - the Parliament - has well developed standing orders and procedures that seek to preserve the status quo. Change can be effected only after a long, exhaustive parliamentary process in which the minority has the most to say, but in the end, the will of the majority prevails. It is in this contradictory and often uncertain environment that a number of principles remain constant. These include loyalty, trust and goodwill. We do not demand them, but those who have been here long enough know that they are earned. It is widely known that if members of Parliament work their electorates hard to build trust and generate goodwill the outcome will be loyalty from electors. When we go to the polls it is likely that as a consequence of that hard work - and unless there is a major swing - we will be returned. It goes without staying that all members of Parliament have as their first priority, retention of their seat. Loyalty, trust and goodwill are equally important to a party leader, to the Government or to the Opposition; lose any one of them and the consequences are inevitable. One may survive in the short term, but eventually one is found out and is sent packing. In government the demand for tough decisions is required across such a broad spectrum that it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain trust and goodwill. It becomes impossible not to alienate different sections of the community to the extent that loyalty wanes and there is political change.
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Although I have been around too long to expect any positive response to my comments, it is a matter of regret that the effort individual MPs put into building trust and goodwill in their electorates is not brought into the Parliament. I am sure that although the adversarial nature of this place will remain, a greater degree of trust and goodwill would create a more positive environment in which things could be more readily achieved for this State. Though it may be a forlorn hope that the attitude of MPs in the Parliament will change, one area in which the unnecessary erosion of trust and goodwill can be restored is in the public sector. Governments will always seek to impose their own party political agenda and will invariably use the public service to implement those plans that are necessary to meet their objectives. That is why we seek to win government. Whenever there is a change of government - this observation is levelled at all Governments and not merely the incumbent - much of the goodwill public servants might have for the new Government is eroded by the actions of ministers or their advisers in seeking to cleanse the department of good public servants who may be branded as being politically untrustworthy. In my experience, I have found that all but a few public servants are committed to the delivery of efficient government services and are capable of working with any Government - irrespective of its politics. Sadly, the insecurity of tenure afforded senior public servants generated by present government policy has accelerated the departure of many good-quality people. Their replacement with other less experienced officers, and a significant restructuring within government departments, has meant that much of the trust and goodwill within the public service that could have been tapped by the Government has evaporated. Consequently, the contribution to good government that impartial, highly professional public servants may make, is considerably lessened. I also mentioned loyalty. I have not forgotten the loyalty that has been shown to me by many people during my 27 years in Parliament. It ranges from the constituents of the electorate of Merredin who, in nine elections, returned me with an absolute majority in every election but my first, to the National Party branch members who ensured all polling booths were attended. It includes those officers who have worked in my Merredin electorate office over the years, especially the current electorate officer, Thelma Motzel, who, until the by-election returns a new member for Merredin, will have to assume the added responsibility of de facto MP. Members of the office of Leader of the National Party and the office of the Deputy Premier - some of whom are in the public gallery today - also deserve special mention for their dedication and unswerving loyalty. Having commented at some length on public servants, I would also like to thank many of the government officers, from government drivers to CEOs, with whom I have had the privilege of working over the years. I especially thank those who were required regularly to make the trip to the Deputy Premier’s office for ministerial briefings. They soon learned that only one rule applied: they were required to tell their minister what he should hear, not what he would like to hear. Under that rule I took great pride in the fact that the departments for which I had responsibility really did make a difference in the delivery of government services. Finally, I turn to my colleagues in the National Party. I owe a debt of gratitude to all my fellow National Party MPs, none more so than Hon Matt Stephens, who retired in 1989, Hon Eric Charlton - also now retired - and my good friend and present member for Stirling, Hon Monty House; others like Tom McNeil and the late Tom Perry also come to mind. To my colleagues: I wish you well in the future. Your opponents have been predicting your demise for the past 40 years. It has been your loyalty to regional Western Australia that has ensured those predictions have been wrong. It would also be appropriate to convey my thanks to those officers of the Western Australian Parliament who have assisted me over the years. That applies equally to all Parliament House staff, who have invariably performed their duties efficiently and courteously. I look forward to the new challenges that contesting a senate seat will bring. I can assure all members and staff that I will not forget the invaluable experiences and friendships generated by 27 years in the Western Australian Parliament. [Applause.] The SPEAKER: I advise members that I have received a letter from the member for Merredin, which reads as follows - Dear Mr Speaker, At the National Party Convention held in Perth in August 2001 I announced my intention to contest a Senate seat at the next federal election. Now that Writs have been issued for the federal election to be held on 10 November 2001, I hereby tender my resignation from the Western Australian Legislative Assembly seat of Merredin. After more than twenty seven years in the Western Australian Parliament, twenty three as Leader of the National Party and eight as Deputy Premier, I would like to place on record my appreciation of the advice and support given to me over those years by officers of the Parliament. The courtesy that has been extended to me and the services provided by the staff of Parliament House have also been deeply appreciated. Yours sincerely Hendy Cowan MLA Member for Merredin
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ELECTORAL DISTRICT OF MERREDIN DECLARED VACANT Resignation of Member On motion by Dr Gallop (Premier), resolved - That the seat for the electoral district of Merredin be hereby declared vacant by reason of the resignation of Hendy John Cowan. PREMIUM PROPERTY TAX Matter of Public Interest THE SPEAKER (Mr Riebeling): I have today received within the prescribed time a letter from the Leader of the Opposition in the following terms - That this House condemns the Government for its ill-conceived and divisive proposal to introduce a premium property tax on the family home. If sufficient members agree to this motion, I will allow it. [At least five members rose in their places.] MR BARNETT (Cottesloe - Leader of the Opposition) [3.40 pm]: I move the motion. What can I say? All I can say is dear me, what a complete shambles this has been. This premium property tax was born out of a Premier who is a socialist. He has a philosophical and ideological commitment to socialist policy. His has an old-world socialist philosophy born of envy and spite and of depriving people of economic and personal freedoms, the right to work, to save, to have personal assets, to own a home and to be secure and protected in that ownership. He is an old-world socialist, philosophically stuck in the past. In 1989 the Berlin wall came down. It appears that this Premier missed that event. The world changed when the wall came down. Not only does he have an old-fashioned, socialist philosophy but he also gave the task of introducing this spiteful tax, born of jealousy, to his Treasurer, the bumbling and fumbling Eric the incompetent. That is what he is. We therefore have a socialist Premier and an absolutely incompetent Treasurer. Madam Deputy Speaker, I will take a bit of time because we have heard a lot about this issue in the month or so since the budget was introduced. Mr Ripper: You can take 30 minutes; that is the rule. Mr BARNETT: How arrogant the Treasurer is, but how incompetent and bumbling and fumbling he is. Members should look at Bill and Ben, the flowerpot men, laughing and sniggering. I shall refer to the history of this matter because it is important. I notice that the backbench cleared off before we started this motion. They did not wait to support the Premier and the Treasurer. I shall refer to the time prior to the election. On 31 January in a televised leaders’ debate, the now Premier said that he would not increase taxes and charges. That was the great lie of the election campaign. He repeated the lie. It was not a mistake. Withdrawal of Remark Mr RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition has directly accused the Premier of lying, which is unparliamentary. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I ask the member to rephrase the comment and withdraw. Mr BARNETT: I withdraw, Madam Deputy Speaker. Debate Resumed Mr BARNETT: As I said, the Premier said that he would not increase taxes and charges, which was without doubt the great lie of the election campaign. That statement was repeated on ABC Radio on 3 February. The Premier, when asked a question about taxes, said that he had made it clear when he spoke earlier on the subject that he was planning for surpluses and would not increase taxes and charges. The commitment to not increase taxes and charges was therefore used in the leaders’ debate to gain public support for the Labor Party and confirmed on radio a few days later. What happened? Clearly, this Premier deliberately misled the public of Western Australia during the election campaign. Withdrawal of Remark Mr RIPPER: It is unparliamentary to accuse a member of this House of deliberately misleading people. Mr DAY: It is certainly unparliamentary to suggest that a member of this Chamber is lying or deliberately misleading members of this Parliament. However, to argue that a Premier or any other member has been in the public arena in the past deliberately misleading people is not unparliamentary. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I concur with the Deputy Premier that it is unparliamentary to accuse a member of lying. Mr BARNETT: I did not say that but, regardless, I withdraw.
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Debate Resumed Mr BARNETT: Therefore, what happened? Is it acceptable to the Government to say that the statement appears to be a little off centre or not quite true? Since the election, water rates have increased by 3.5 per cent; motor vehicle registration by five per cent; sewerage by 3.5 per cent; compulsory third party insurance by two per cent; drainage rates by 3.5 per cent; a building licence levy of $30 has been introduced; and the top rate of payroll tax has been increased from 5.56 per cent to six per cent. The labour market definition was widened so that the payroll tax base extended to include grossed-up components of taxable fringe benefits and so-called employee-like contractors. Those payroll tax increases amount to $100 million in a full year. These increases were from a Premier who said there would be no increases in taxes. My case rests on those increases alone. Apart from a premium property tax, the land tax scale was amended to new rates of 2.3 per cent and 2.5 per cent, adding around another $40 million a year to revenue. This was from a Premier who told the public that there would be no increase in taxes. Madam Deputy Speaker, I am required to withdraw, which I do, but the public knows the truth. Veracity from this Premier and this Treasurer was lacking. I shall refer to the premium property tax. Dr Gallop: It’s dead. Mr BARNETT: Is the Treasurer still alive? That is the question. How long will the Treasurer live? Mr Ripper: I am very well. Thank you for your concern. Mr BARNETT: I shall refer to this matter a little at a time. A premium property tax was announced in the budget on 13 September but it had been leaked to the media before in typical Labor Party style. It had been fed to the media to try to soften up the community. When the rumours started - which were not rumours because they were leaked facts - that this tax would be applied, I made it clear on 11 September on behalf of the Liberal Party that we would oppose the tax and, if it were introduced, a future Liberal Government would repeal it. My position, and the position of the Liberal Party, was absolutely black and white and laid down prior to the budget. We have not veered one iota from that position throughout this debate. Our position was clear and unequivocal. The Government’s proposal was to apply a two per cent tax on land values above $1 million. An impression was given that it was a well thought out tax. The Treasurer talked specifically about 901 affected properties, which gave an impression that the Government had thought through the tax. However, in response to the Treasurer’s budget, I and members on the opposition side of the House raised a range of issues, the first being that it was unjust and un- Australian, and was against the basic principles of this country. That basic principle is what people went to war for and it was ironic that the World War II generation were those most affected by this tax. People who came back to Australia after serving and fighting for this country and who bought land at low values in the late 1940s and early 1950s were the most significant group of people affected by this tax. Where is the irony in that? This tax was unjust, un-Australian and undeserving of consideration by this Parliament. It will forever reflect on this Premier and this Treasurer. The people will not forget this act and will always recall it for the spiteful, vengeful and malicious act that it was. I shall refer to the details. The Opposition immediately raised questions about the tax, not only about its lack of justice but also about its threshold. The Treasurer said that the threshold would be indexed so that it would not be affected. He did not understand the obvious point made on day one that the consumer price index is growing at about three per cent and property values at about eight per cent to nine per cent. He did not understand the most obvious and fundamental point. The Premier in his public comments also did not understand that most fundamental point. That was extraordinary! As time went on, the issue unravelled. The Government did not understand exemption levels. It did not understand the criteria for exemption levels. It then changed the tax, went on and created an absolute shambles. Let us look at the so-called Ripper blackflips. Alston was dead right. The budget came down on 13 September. On 27 September, about a week later, the Treasurer announced that the State Government would not back down on the premium property tax, but was open to suggestions about improving its fairness. Less than a week after the carefully thought-out, researched budget, backflip No 1 occurred. He said that he would be open to ideas. Backflip No 2 occurred on 2 October. The Treasurer said that following public representations, he had decided to allow any asset-rich but income-poor people to defer paying the tax until the property was sold or transferred. He had no idea how he was going to do that. We had to wait a full three days for backflip No 3 on 5 October. After lobbying from the Liberal Party and the no home tax action group and other people, the Treasurer announced that he would quell voter concern. The federal election had been announced that day. What a coincidence! Backflip No 3 was under way literally within hours of the federal election being called. The Treasurer then said that he would index the threshold to ensure that it was around the average rate of residential property rises. Why did it take him three weeks to understand the bleeding obvious that was explained to him on the day of the budget; in fact, it was explained to him immediately the budget was presented? Three weeks later he was talking about indexing the threshold to property values, but he still had not thought that through, because property values do not move uniformly. Property values in Cottesloe might move at one rate and those in Alfred Cove at a different rate. The Treasurer had no idea how to do that. Then came the greatest backflip of all. Backflip No 4 was the eleventh-hour decision to scrap the premium property tax, when he clearly was
4342 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] under pressure from his Labor federal colleagues and from the federal leader, Kim Beazley, if not directly then certainly through Stephen Smith and the like. Now the Treasurer coughs and splutters over there. He has backflipped four times. Alston got it right; the Treasurer landed on his back the last time. Four backflips in a month! What a deplorable, incompetent, inept performance by the Treasurer of this State! The final backflip is that the socialist Premier and his incompetent Treasurer would like us to believe that they have been out there listening. We were in government for eight years. How often did we have cabinet meetings on Wednesday nights? I cannot remember too many. Labor Party members had an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday night after the federal election was called; yet they are trying to suggest that it had nothing to do with the federal election. Give us a break! They should at least be honest about that! They should at least admit that the federal party demanded that they drop this ridiculous proposal. Why else would they have a late night cabinet meeting on Wednesday night? They panicked on Monday in the cabinet meeting in Bunbury. There was great division among Labor Party members around the cabinet table. Their federal candidates were in absolute panic mode. The Beazley camp and Stephen Smith were in panic mode, so the Premier and the Treasurer called a late-night cabinet meeting on a Wednesday night, dropped the tax and pretended that they were consulting and listening to the public. What a cynical exercise that was! The tax was rotten from the start. The behaviour of the Labor Party and this incompetent Treasurer was even worse. It was absolutely cynical, self-interest to ditch it for that one reason - the damage it was doing to federal Labor candidates. That is what it is about. The Premier cannot hold up his head in this House. That was an absolutely scandalous exercise! The Treasurer will forever be recognised as the bumbling, fumbling and incompetent Treasurer of this State. It was an absolutely dreadful performance! Dr Gallop: We are talking about something that will not happen. Mr BARNETT: It will not happen now, but it was the centrepiece of the budget a month ago. One member of the Government in this House spoke some truth - the Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, the member for Rockingham. He was probably the only person on the government side who spoke the truth. He stated in this House on 18 September that the premium property tax sets out in stark terms that ideological difference between the Labor Party and the Opposition. However, the premium property tax clearly sets out the Government’s ideology; does it not? It is about socialism, it is about envy, and it is about hating people who work and succeed. It is spiteful and it sets out a philosophical difference. The Liberal Party stands for the right of people to work, save and provide for themselves and their family and to have the Australian family home safe from attack by anyone, including a socialist Government like this one. The member for Rockingham laid it out correctly. There is a basic philosophical difference, and that is starkly in the minds of Western Australian voters and the community. All sorts of things were wrong with this tax. The Treasurer spoke about deferring it. Dr Gallop: What are you debating? It has gone! Mr BARNETT: We are talking about the Premier’s absolute incompetence, and we will keep talking about it for the next three years. The Treasurer talked about deferring it. There were many examples of people in hardship who had no prospect of meeting the criteria to defer it. One elderly gentleman in my electorate was admitted to Bethesda Hospital over the stress. Why was this stress and anguish inflicted upon so many elderly, decent, hardworking people in our community, many of whom had served in the Second World War? Many younger people were striving, had worked hard and were fully committed to mortgages and school fees and whatever else. Why did they have to endure this stress? Because of an outdated, old-fashioned, socialist philosophy of a Premier and a totally - Dr Gallop: Come on! Mr BARNETT: The Premier should get up and say that he is not a socialist. Is he a socialist? Dr Gallop: Come on! Get on with it! Mr BARNETT: Here is the Premier’s chance. I have called him a socialist. Does this not tell us something about the Labor Party? It no longer stands up for the workers. A left winger like this guy will not even stand up and say that he is a socialist. I respect the old Labor members, like the Don Mays of this world, who stood up for the workers, but no- one on that side stands up for workers anymore. The Premier will not even stand up and say that he is a socialist. Members opposite are ashamed of themselves! They are not advocates for workers and they are not socialists, so what are they? What a motley bunch! What an incompetent performance! Many members on this side want to speak, and I do not want to deny them that opportunity. I will point out a couple of examples of the Treasurer’s incompetence. Let us be positive. The Treasurer worked hard to bring together this budget. How many meetings did he have - 80 or 200 meetings? A few questions were raised and I will provide some of the responses he made. At one stage he said that for the most part the premium property tax would be less than a real estate agent’s commission of two per cent or 2.5 per cent. However, real estate agents are paid only when the property
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4343 is sold; it is not paid every year. What a nonsensical comment that was! On another occasion he said that the annual increase in the land value of these blocks alone would more than cover the cost of the tax. However, it is not a realised income; it is a notional income. It is wealth realised only if the property is sold. What an economically and financially illiterate response to genuine concerns! At one stage he said that the tax would apply only to land, not to the family home. What are people meant to do? Levitate their home into space, or take their home and put it on the block next door. This is the level of response from the Treasurer of Western Australia to legitimate questions asked by people. The principle of this tax was disgraceful. It was unjust. It was un-Australian. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, members! There is far too much discussion around the Chamber. The Leader of the Opposition has the call. Mr BARNETT: I said at the outset and immediately this tax was announced in the budget that it was unjust. It was un- Australian. It was born out of a tired, discredited, socialist philosophy promoted by the Premier. It was his tax; it was his idea. He promoted it. He gave the job to his bumbling, fumbling Treasurer who proved to be absolutely incompetent. The Treasurer announced this tax and then had to do four backflips before he finally abandoned it within about four weeks. For the Treasurer to cynically abandon the tax in the light of a federal election campaign and to call an emergency cabinet meeting on a Wednesday night had nothing to do with caring about people or admitting he was wrong but was all about self-interest and the survival of the Labor Party. The Western Australian public - not just the people in my electorate but people throughout the State - has now seen the Labor Government in its true colours: old- fashioned and tired socialists, out of touch with modern Australia. The Treasurer is smiling like a Cheshire cat. He is an absolute blithering fool of a Treasurer. He is totally discredited and is no longer taken seriously by anyone. DR CONSTABLE (Churchlands) [4.00 pm]: I noted during question time that the Minister for Education took great delight in talking about the worm turning on Sunday night. What we have seen from both the Premier and the Treasurer has been a classic weasel act. Mr Hyde: For what? For listening? Dr CONSTABLE: Let me have my say. The member for Perth has too much of a say in this place, and far too loudly. Mr Hyde interjected. Point of Order Mr BARNETT: The member for Churchlands has requested some composure within this Chamber. Madam Deputy Speaker, I draw your attention to the conduct of the member for Perth, who is effectively trying to intimidate the member for Churchlands. Mr Hyde: If we are talking about intimidation, we have got the great defender here, have we not? The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I call the member for Perth to order. Dr CONSTABLE: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. Mr Hyde: Stirling Highway, Sunday morning. Just you wait! Mr Barnett: Is that a threat? The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Perth, I have asked that courtesy be shown to the member for Churchlands, so I call the member to Perth to order for the second time. Debate Resumed Dr CONSTABLE: The first step in this great weasel act was the promise that was made during the election campaign. I clearly remember the Premier saying that there would be no new taxes and no increases in taxes. It was one of those “read my lips” performances from the Premier. Dr Gallop: No, it was not. Dr CONSTABLE: It was. It was a real, “Trust me; we are not going to impose any new taxes.” However, after the election, we had the softening-up process, with the fabrication of a black hole that had been left by the previous Government, which of course was not the case. We then had the long-awaited budget; and it was a lot later than it probably should have been. That budget announced a tax on people’s homes. That proved the deeply-held belief of many people in the community that we cannot trust political promises; and I agree with the Leader of the Opposition that that is something that the voters of Western Australia will remember for a long time about this Government. The premium property tax on people’s homes was to be in two parts. Dr Gallop: Do you support the GST? Dr CONSTABLE: Yes, I support the GST. We also had the imposition of land tax on family homes owned by family companies and trusts. The Treasurer has been very silent about what he will do about those poor people who will have to pay that tax on their homes. This saga is an amazing example of the superficial approach that this Government is taking on too many issues and of how this Government does not think through issues before it goes to the public with
4344 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] them. The Treasurer thought that he could get away with unfairly targeting 901 families in this State. However, he did not bank on the response from people who were not and might never be affected by this tax in its original form. A great deal of anger was expressed in the community publicly, on talkback radio, and to my office and I suspect to every electorate office in this State, about how unfair it was to impose this tax on people’s homes. This proposed tax on people’s homes was a broken promise that will never be forgotten. It was a tax that was grossly unfair and was certainly based on envy. The final step in the weasel act in this amazing lack of judgment by the Labor Government was the federal election campaign. I suspect that if it were not for the federal election campaign, the Government would still be proposing this tax on people’s homes. It is because of a stroke of good luck rather than a stroke of good management that the tax has been removed. If it were not for the impact of this proposed tax on marginal federal Labor seats, it would still be there. I support this motion from the Leader of the Opposition. MS SUE WALKER (Nedlands) [4.04 pm]: Madam Deputy Speaker - sorry, it is now the Acting Speaker - Mr Barnett: It is hard to tell in the Labor Party! Several members interjected. The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr Andrews): I take that in the sense that the Leader of the Opposition meant it. I do have a sense of humour sometimes. Ms SUE WALKER: I support the Leader of the Opposition in his condemnation of the Government for its ill- conceived and divisive proposal to introduce what can only be called the Gallop home tax, the Ripper death tax or the Gallop death tax. It is clear that the whole debacle of this tax has raised serious questions in the Western Australian community about the competence, integrity and policy-making ability of the socialist Gallop Government. Dr Gallop: Come on! Ms SUE WALKER: I am not the only person who is saying this. I am paraphrasing the editorial of The West Australian of 8 October, which states - The changes made on the run by WA Treasurer Eric Ripper to his home-tax idea reveal how badly flawed it has been from conception. They make it clear that Mr Ripper initially did not assess thoroughly what the effects of his tax proposal would be or how it would be received by West Australians. Indeed, there is little evidence that he was concerned about whether the tax was just and in the public interest . . . However, the series of impromptu changes raises questions about the quality of the Government’s policy making and Budget planning and management processes. It gives little cause for confidence that the Government would not, just as readily, change its mind again and increase the scope of the proposed tax. I note that today when the Leader of the Opposition asked the Premier whether he would reimpose this tax after the federal election, he was equivocal in his answer. The editorial of The West Australian of 4 October states - WA Treasurer Eric Ripper just doesn’t get it. The central objection to his wretched home-tax proposal is that it is wrong in principle. Several members interjected. Ms SUE WALKER: I am raising what was said in The West Australian, because I do not just want to tell members what I think. I want Hansard to record what the community thinks about this issue. The editorial states also - Even people who are not directly affected by this proposal must now start to question this new Government’s integrity. Even they must know now that this idea - which has the appearance of having been lifted from an outworn tract for juvenile socialists - could have been based only on several unwarranted assumptions. Many people in my electorate are very relieved that Western Australia is now rid of, hopefully forever, but perhaps temporarily, this appalling tax. I, like the members for Churchlands and Cottesloe, have received many letters, e-mails and telephone calls about this appalling tax. However, this Government intended to tough it out. I refer to my comments in Hansard of 20 September - a couple of weeks ago - when I read out letters from constituents who spoke about their outrage and concern about the unbearable financial strain that this proposed tax would place on the elderly - people in their seventies and eighties - who had bought houses years ago and had lived frugal lives and had now been thrown into emotional and financial turmoil. When I read those letters about the plight of those people, straight from their heart, I deliberately wanted Hansard to record this Government’s response, and I again want Hansard to record this Government’s response to those constituents. Several members interjected. Ms SUE WALKER: I notice that most of the backbenchers, who were sniggering all the time that we were debating this tax, are not here. They have disappeared. They cannot front up. In Hansard of 20 September, I said -
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I noticed that when the Leader of the Opposition spoke about the budget and the hardship it would impose on people on low incomes, the Treasurer and members opposite were sniggering most of the time. I want that recorded in Hansard, because I think it shows something about the attitude of this Government to the people of Western Australia. While government members were sniggering and we were trying to convey to them the hardship that this land tax would impose on people - Several members interjected. The ACTING SPEAKER ( Mr Andrews): Order! I call both sides of the House to order. The voices are drowning out the member for Nedlands and I need to listen to her. Point of Order Mr McRAE: The member for Nedlands has just asserted that a previous Hansard record of her speaking demonstrates that members might have been laughing at a particular matter under debate, when in fact the member knows that the laughter at the time was about the Leader of the Opposition and her presentation. It had nothing to do with the subject under debate. She is now misleading this House and misrepresenting members’ previous behaviour in this House. Ms SUE WALKER: As it happens, Mr Acting Speaker, I am just about to move on to that point. In Hansard on that same day - The ACTING SPEAKER: The member for Nedlands, I need to rule on that point of order. I find that there is no point of order. The member for Nedlands was talking about the members on my right sniggering, which could have meant anything at that particular point. Debate Resumed Ms SUE WALKER: I can answer the member for Riverton, because at page 4118 of Hansard on 20 September I was reading out the constituent’s letter, and I said - The government back benchers are sniggering, once again, over the jealousy tax. Mr McRae said - We are not sniggering; we are laughing at the inability of the member for Nedlands to tell the truth. Then I said - Is the member for Riverton as thick as he looks? Can he not see that I am reading from a letter from a constituent? That is what I was doing and those on the other side were sniggering. Mr Barnett: They have gone quiet now. Ms SUE WALKER: They have gone very quiet. I also recorded in Hansard that my office had received numerous calls about this tax. Among those sniggering was the Minister for Police, who said that she had received many calls offering congratulations. Finally, I referred to the attitude of the member for Perth in this Chamber. At page 4120 of Hansard, when I was referring to the elderly people who would have to pay this tax, the Leader of the Opposition said - They are frightened. I said - Yes, they are frightened. Then the member for Perth said - They are greedy kids. That is the attitude. That is the attitude of a Premier who said he would govern for all the people. In fact, he isolated a section of the community. This Government was going to tough this tax out. The electorate and the people of Western Australia know the Government was going to tough this tax out. Finally, when the decision was made to withdraw this proposal, an editorial stated - It would be reassuring to be able to believe that the Government’s decision to drop its home-tax plan was based on an acceptance that it was wrong in principle. But the indications are that its motive was mainly political The article continues - For these reasons, West Australians have cause for applauding the scuttling of this bad tax idea. But they have little cause for confidence that the Government acted for these reasons when it decided to abandon its tax proposal.
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It continues - . . . until it ran headlong into the political reality of the damage this could cause to Labor’s WA aspirations in next month’s Federal election. It continues - For it was Mr Ripper who spoke of a group of rich and powerful people who wanted to avoid paying tax. He said the rich and powerful in this country had always ganged up to avoid paying tax and that was what was happening here. I stood to support the Leader of the Opposition in this matter. The Government and the Premier demonstrate their duplicity by saying they govern for all the people, and then isolate a small section. I think the people of Western Australia should show a bit of disquiet today about the response by the Premier to the question by the Leader of the Opposition. In fact, the Premier could not tell us that a Gallop home tax or a Gallop death tax would not be reintroduced. DR GALLOP (Victoria Park - Premier) [4.16 pm]: The question we ought to be asking today is why are we debating this motion? What does this tell us about the political judgment of the Leader of the Opposition? The tax is dead, it is gone, it is finished, and we are still debating it. I remember when I was a youngster and I used to tune in and listen to the test matches in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It was fantastic. I actually remember listening to the 1961 tied test on ABC radio - the excitement of it all! After I listened to the play for the session, I would go into the back garden, set up the stumps and do the bowling bit - Graham McKenzie, Neil Hawke and all the Australian fast bowlers. Then I would tie the ball on a string and do the batting bit, but it was never the same as listening to the real thing minutes earlier. That is happening here today. The real thing has finished, the real thing happened last week. The matter was determined; the Government acted; it dropped the matter. If we are to debate taxation matters and division in the community, we should look at only one issue; that is, the goods and services tax. That is an existing tax that is impacting on people now. I find the insensitivity of members opposite - I include the Independent members - extraordinary in relation to the impact of the GST on small business. Many small businesses have gone bankrupt and have lost everything because of the GST. They have had to close down their businesses. Many of those businesspeople used their family homes as security against their business; they have had to sell their homes and move on. Those opposite have no sense that this represents a problem. Those people lost everything. We should be debating that issue today. First, there is a lack of political judgment by the Leader of the Opposition and his team, and I am sure we shall talk about that matter a lot more. On the issue of division, let us consider the record of the previous Government. Let us remember how it tried to use the most disadvantaged people in our community - indigenous Western Australians - as political pawns in its battle against the Labor Opposition at that time. The previous Government used the most disadvantaged people in our community, who had been denied their proper land rights since 1788, as political pawns, and it now talks to us about division in the community! Its performance on division is there for all to see. What is this Government’s position on the issue? The background to our tax measures in the budget was there for all to see. The Barnett budget black hole is real. The fact that those opposite deny the deficits that we inherited and the deficits that we were facing, indicates their failure to face up to reality. The second thing that members opposite deny is the pressure they have placed upon ordinary families and small businesses because of the GST and the accumulated indirect tax measures they took when they were in government. They can continue to deny that all they like, but all that confirms is their inability to govern this State in a fair and reasonable way for the people of Western Australia. There is a black hole and we are honest about it, and as a result of that black hole I could not deliver on a promise I made in the election campaign. That is about as honest as one can get in politics. I could not deliver on a commitment I made, because the budget figures were different from those in the forward estimates. This Government will continue to look after ordinary working families and small businesses. We thought that this measure was a fair and reasonable way to gather revenue for the State of Western Australia, and to ease some of the pressures on ordinary working families and small businesses. That is why we introduced this tax. It was not part of some grand ideological plan of the Labor Government. It was designed for budget reasons. Mr Barnett: Is anyone in the Labor Party a socialist? Several members interjected. The ACTING SPEAKER: I call the members on my left to order. The Premier has the call. Dr GALLOP: I repeat that the Labor Government got it wrong. It considered the matter and determined that it got it wrong. The Government got it wrong and abandoned the tax. The Government listened to the community and its concerns. Several members interjected.
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The ACTING SPEAKER: I call those on my left to order. There will obviously be interjections during this debate, but when they are so multi-layered, they lose their impact totally. Dr GALLOP: The Government listened to the community, reassessed the situation and abandoned the tax. It is as simple as that. Those opposite are so caught up in their cynicism and inadequacies that they think otherwise. Let them think that. I know the way in which this matter was handled on our side and the consultations we had throughout the community. I know the considerations we brought to bear on this issue. As a result of those, the Government abandoned the tax. It is as simple as that. That takes me back to where I started. The Government has withdrawn the tax and decided that it will cut down on public expenditure in certain areas. Mr Barnett: In the bush. That is your first choice - belt the bush again. Dr GALLOP: No, we will not belt the bush. I ask the Leader of the Opposition how we are belting the bush? Mr Barron-Sullivan: By taking away $5 million. Dr GALLOP: No, we are not. We were planning to spend $25 million this year and $15 million next year. We will spend $20 million this year and $20 million next year. That is what those opposite call bashing the bush. The Government made the right decision for the right reasons. The Opposition has now been deprived of an issue about which to complain. It is a bit desperate, so it wants to debate in this Parliament something that is dead. That is not a reflection on the Government but on the Opposition. That is a reflection of the fact that the Government has taken away from those opposite a matter that they thought was an issue. Therefore, they are trying to keep the debate going in this Parliament. Mr Barnett: This motion is about the incompetence of your Treasurer. You haven’t yet said one word to defend him. Dr GALLOP: I will say it now. At last we have a Treasurer in this Parliament who is concerned about, and committed to surpluses in, our budget. He has my full support for what he is doing as Treasurer. MR BARRON-SULLIVAN (Mitchell - Deputy Leader of the Opposition) [4.23 pm]: I will make a couple of points. The first is about small business and the tax imposition that the Premier and the Treasurer have initiated in this budget. It has been interesting to listen to the Premier, because he has talked only about the premium property tax. Members will notice that he has avoided talking about the notion of a tax on family homes. Today, the Leader of the Opposition asked whether the Premier would rule out ever introducing a tax on family homes. The Premier was careful in what he said. He said that the premium property tax is dead. He did not say that the Government would not tax family homes. Therefore, he has left it open until later, after the election, to whack a tax on the family home. However, members, guess what? He is already going to do that. On 1 July 2002, the Premier and the Treasurer will bring in a tax on family homes in this State. In the Premier’s budget speech, he admitted that the Government will scrap provisions that allow companies and trusts to qualify for principal place-of-residence exemptions from land tax. Mr Ripper: Are they family homes or company homes? Mr BARRON-SULLIVAN: If the Treasurer does not realise that many small business people have their family homes in the name of a trust or in a company structure arrangement, and that this is a commonplace practice, I suggest he does not know a thing about the small business community. The fact is that the term “principal place of residence” means someone’s home. That is where small business people and their families live. On 1 July 2002, the Treasurer, Mr Eric Ripper, will impose a tax on all those small business people who have their homes under these arrangements. There will be a tax on family homes. That tax will raise $10.7 million in a year compared with $8.8 million that would have been raised under the premium property tax. It is a bigger tax. It will affect more householders and more families than even the premium property tax would have affected. I make another point to which the Leader of the Opposition alluded a moment ago. When the Treasurer and the Premier have to wriggle out of this, whom will they bash to get the money to fund their escape out of the premium property tax bungle? Of course, it is the people in the bush, the country. The Labor Party firmly promised $25 million for its regional investment fund this year. Guess what? It is ripping $5 million out of that. It is an easy way to scramble out of the premium property tax mess it has made and to pass on 40 per cent of the burden to the regional areas. That says a lot about the Government’s priorities, considering it was left with a $221 million operating surplus. The Treasurer has boasted about a $51 million operating surplus this year, but he is taking $5 million from the country, and on 1 July 2002 he will tax family homes. MR RIPPER (Belmont - Treasurer) [4.26 pm]: I am interested to know what happens in the Opposition’s strategy group meetings when it works out its program for the week ahead. I find it difficult to understand why a moribund Opposition wants to debate last week’s news. Why does it want to debate a dead tax? This tax is a dead dog. However, the Opposition is in the pet cemetery disinterring the bones. Carping Colin and desperate Dan are looking for every last scrap of political capital they can get out of a tax that is a dead dog. How many times do we have to say that this tax is dead? Of course, the Opposition has little to run with in this State. Therefore, even when the Government
4348 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] adopts a position of which the Opposition approves, it still wants to wring the last desperate drop of political capital out of that position. Everyone knows that taxes are not popular measures. I have some interesting quotes on this from politicians over the years. I refer to a quote from a century ago by Mr Robert Lowe, who in 1870 said - The Chancellor of the Exchequer is a man whose duties make him more or less of a taxing machine. He is entrusted with a certain amount of misery which it is his duty to distribute as fairly as he can. That highlights clearly the important political fact, which is that while taxes are necessary to fund the services the community needs, on the other hand, no tax is popular. No-one likes to be taxed. If one person is not taxed, someone else is likely to carry the burden. The problem is that there is misery in the community as a result of another tax, which is not dead but very much alive, and that is the goods and services tax. It was not unremarked on in my office that a number of people who wrote to me about the premium property tax wrote that they were being battered by the goods and services tax and they did not want another tax on top of it. The Opposition has been loud when talking about taxes on the family home. I will give the Opposition a tax on the family home - the GST. It is a tax on every new house, every renovation, every piece of furniture, every new appliance, every electricity bill and every gas bill. That tax on the family home has been strongly supported by the Leader of the Opposition on numerous occasions in this House. He said on 29 March 2000 in this House - . . . the GST and the shift from direct to indirect taxation will have a net positive effect on this country’s economy. The Leader of the Opposition thought that a tax on every new house, every renovation, every piece of furniture, every appliance and every utility bill, bar water, would have a net positive effect on this country’s economy. Since he said that, growth has been cut by more than half from the estimate in the last budget of the previous Treasurer, Hon Richard Court. The GST might not be an issue that some members of the Opposition would like us to debate, but it is extremely relevant to the motion before us today. The Leader of the Opposition does not want to listen to the argument. He is happy to hand out abuse and allege that people have laughed at other matters when they have laughed at him. When the argument against him is put up, he does not want to hear about his responsibility for the GST. His support of the GST has made financial circumstances for this Government that much more difficult. Why does this State have a difficult budgetary situation? The first reason is the Barnett budget blow-out. We have talked about that. I want to draw attention today to another way in which the Leader of the Opposition’s policies have severely affected the State’s finances. Mr Barnett: You are a fool. Mr RIPPER: I know he likes to call people fools and arrogantly likes to pretend that he is the only person with any financial competence in the House, but the truth of the matter is that he sat on the previous Government’s standing committee on the budget. He was there when the previous Government did not put into the pre-election financial statements all the matters that I have dealt with that constitute the Barnett budget blow-out. Just as importantly, he supported the GST. Let us examine what the GST has done to the State’s finances. If the Leader of the Opposition would like to sit and listen, he might understand some of the financial circumstances we are confronting. The Leader of the Opposition has no interest in policy questions. He was a “policy wonk”, but now he is simply a political opportunist who will not take responsibility for the damage he has inflicted on this State. Let us examine embedded wholesale sales tax. What a scam Peter Costello pulled on this State, aided and abetted by the Leader of the Opposition. It is costing the State this year $53.4 million that cannot be spent by agencies. They cannot use that money because Peter Costello assumed that every agency would be able to buy goods and services cheaper because of the GST. What an absurd assumption that the GST would make goods and services cheaper for Western Australian government agencies and, therefore, Peter Costello could take $53.4 million from this State. Naturally, that money has had to come off agency budgets. What happens when the Department of Education tries to get something cheaper because of the GST? The supplier tells the department, “No way.” What happens when the Department of Health tries to get something cheaper because of the GST? The supplier tells the department, “No way.” That scam of Peter Costello’s, supported by the Leader of the Opposition, will cost this State $235.5 million over four years. That money will not be available to the state budget to meet important community needs and services. The second scam is the growth dividend. What a remarkable concept! We were told the State’s economy would grow faster because of the GST. Because the State’s economy would grow faster, the State would get extra money and, therefore, the Commonwealth would take that extra money from the State before the State got it. What happened? The State’s economy did not grow faster. The State’s economy was forecast to grow at four per cent but it grew at 1.75 per cent. There was no extra growth as a result of the GST; quite the contrary, the GST sandbagged the economy. Did the Commonwealth give the State some compensation because of less growth as a result of the GST? No, it still took the
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4349 growth dividend. The growth dividend this financial year is $11.5 million. Over four years that is $71.8 million. Those two measures over four years will take $307 million from the state budget. The Leader of the Opposition wonders why the State has a difficult budgetary situation. It is because, in the first place, his Government exercised absolutely no financial discipline and, in the second place, his Government supported a set of arrangements with the federal Government for so-called tax reform, which have cost the State $307 million over four years. The Labor Party had no intention of increasing taxes. That was its statement before the election, and one which I made. When we came into office we found a legacy of lazy financial management, indiscipline and disloyalty from senior government ministers to the former Treasurer. I pity Hon Richard Court because he had a difficult time managing the people opposite. That difficult time was well described by the Under Treasurer in a memorandum to the Treasurer of 23 June 1998, when he wrote - I have expressed my concern to you on a number of occasions about the disturbing trend of Cabinet and individual Ministers to embark upon expenditure proposals out of context with the budget. This trend manifests itself in the following ways: . Individual Ministers and Cabinet Sub-Committees proposing and endorsing proposals which are not consistent with agreed and promulgated government policy. Current examples are the wage outcomes agreed for teachers and police, and being negotiated for nurses. We know who was one of those senior ministers who were disloyal to the Treasurer, lazy and undisciplined in their financial management. It is the Leader of the Opposition when he was Minister for Education. He was pinned by the Under Treasurer for negotiating wage outcomes for teachers that were outside government policy. No wonder the previous Government delivered four budget deficits in a row. The Leader of the Opposition dares to talk about incompetence and poor financial management. He sat on a budget committee which delivered four deficits in a row. The previous Government adopted an ostrich-like approach to financial management. It knew that costs would be incurred but did not put those matters into the forward estimates. It agreed to a crazy set of financial arrangements with the federal Government that will cost the State $307 million over four years. Had we not had those emerging budget pressures that came about as a result of the indiscipline of members opposite, there would have been no need for a package of tax measures. Resorting to tax increases was a measure of last resort for the Government. Our intention was to cut; and we cut and we cut! We funded our election promises out of the cuts that we have made. However, we could not provide for the Barnett budget blow-out by cutting expenditure. We could not provide for that blow-out given the way in which our access to commonwealth funds was cut by the stupid agreements made by the previous Government with Peter Costello and John Howard. The previous Government made those agreements for ideological reasons. They are ideologically wedded to the goods and services tax. They did not mind that they were selling out the State’s financial autonomy, and the amount of money which the State would receive, because they had an ideological commitment to the GST, with all its effects on ordinary working people and with all its tax benefits and large income tax cuts for high income earners. Members opposite were wedded to the redistribution effects of the GST - the redistribution from the less well off to the well off. That was the approach of members opposite, and because they were ideologically wedded to the GST they did not care about the effects on the State’s finances. We have had a few comments from the Opposition. Mr Barnett interjected. Mr RIPPER: It would appear that the Leader of the Opposition is not content with delivering a speech on his feet; he would like to deliver another speech sitting in his seat. If the Leader of the Opposition genuinely believes in debating policy, why does he not sit and listen to the arguments? Why does he keep prattling on trying to ask questions of other people? That is the seriousness with which he takes this debate. If the Leader of the Opposition is prepared to stand up and talk about incompetence and financial management, he must listen to the answer and deal with it. The Leader of the Opposition does not want to deal with the Barnett budget blow-out or the GST. If the Leader of the Opposition wants another debate on this issue he has three hours of private members’ time tomorrow. He can move a motion. The Government will allow him to give a late notice of motion, if that is what he wants, and we can use those three hours tomorrow to debate any topic of the Leader of the Opposition’s choice. Let us come back to a few of the other statements that have been made. The Opposition seems concerned that the Government changed its position. One of the most telling comments made to me was, “If only the previous Government had backflipped on the belltower.” The Opposition will find that is a common sentiment in the community. The Government listened to the community debate to assess whether the community thought what we had put up was fair and reasonable. After extensive consultation with a wide variety of people, the Government came to the conclusion that the community did not think that what it had proposed was fair and reasonable. We listened; we changed our position. What did the previous Government do? It knew that the belltower was highly unpopular. Every comment on talk-back radio and every letter to the editor told the previous Government that the belltower was unpopular. However, the previous Government ploughed on arrogantly. It said, “They’ll like it when it is built; when they get to see it they’ll like it.” The previous Government arrogantly went ahead and would not listen to the community.
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We saw the same with the gold royalty. The previous Government told the electorate before the 1996 election that there would not be a gold royalty. Mr Barnett: That is not true. Mr RIPPER: That is exactly what the Deputy Premier, a member of the coalition Government and the then Leader of the National Party, told the people in Kalgoorlie. The coalition Government then introduced a gold royalty. Would it not have been great for the people of Kalgoorlie if the former Government had kept faith with its pre-election statement and had backflipped? What about the AlintaGas privatisation, which was wildly unpopular? It was not something that the former Government even dared to take to the people. Would it not have been terrific if members opposite had listened to the people’s views on privatisation and backflipped on that? However, it did not; it went arrogantly ahead. We have had some discussion about division. This Government governs for the whole community. We are not like the previous Government that disgracefully used race to divide people. Members opposite used race on the question of native title to divide the community. They played to One Nation. They disgracefully sold out those who believe in a united community based on non-racial principles. The former Government sold out the community when it discussed preference deals with One Nation. Members opposite fomented division on industrial relations. Who can forget the former member for Riverton and the aggressive way in which he promoted community division on industrial relations matters? The Leader of the Opposition went so far as to call people who would not pay school fees bludgers. The approach of the Leader of the Opposition was to divide people. Mr Barnett: I did not. Mr RIPPER: It is in Hansard. The previous Government’s approach was to divide people. Points of Order Mr BARNETT: I ask that the Deputy Premier withdraw that comment. I know exactly what I said. I said that Australians do not like bludgers. I did not call people who do not pay school fees bludgers. I made the comment that Australians do not like bludgers. I ask the Deputy Premier to withdraw his remarks. Mr CARPENTER: The exact remarks were - The principal can recover money from the parents who can well afford to pay but who choose not to. Where is the equity in that? Australians do not like bludgers, and we will not have them in the school system. I rest my case. The Deputy Premier is correct. The ACTING SPEAKER ( Mr Andrews): I will seek some advice on this. There is no point of order. Debate Resumed Mr RIPPER: The Opposition is so desperate for issues that it cannot debate this week’s news, it wants to debate last week’s news. Secondly, the Opposition simply will not accept responsibility for the disgraceful financial legacy that it left the incoming Government - the Barnett budget blow-out. Thirdly, the Opposition negotiated a set of arrangements with the federal Government over the GST that constitute a sell-out of this State’s interests to the tune of $307 million over four years. Fourthly, the Opposition dares to come into this House and talk about division when for eight years it supported the approach of the former member for Riverton and former Minister for Labour Relations, and the former Premier, on race and native title issues! The Leader of the Opposition has played footsies with One Nation for selfish political gain and will not accept that it is his responsibility to promote community cohesion. That is the sort of credibility of this Opposition. Members opposite plead away, because they cannot stand to hear the truth about their own record; they will not accept the responsibility that they ought for the disgraceful situation in which they left the State. Mr Barnett: Are you telling lies to this Parliament right now? Mr RIPPER: The Leader of the Opposition has been caught out again trying for the third time today to abuse parliamentary procedure by getting into the debate a word that he knows he is not allowed to get in. When he was Minister for Education why did he not put into the forward estimates the $17 million required to fund increased risk cover premiums for vandalism in schools? He knew that was a cost that would have to be paid by the next Government and he did not put it in the figures. MR BOARD (Murdoch) [4.50 pm]: Unfortunately, I have only a couple of minutes and would dearly love to put a few more thoughts on the record. However, in the two minutes that I have it is important that we recognise today the intent of this Government. We as an Opposition are delighted that the Government has backflipped on the premium property tax. However, the intent of the Government and the fact that it chose to penalise certain people in our community must be put on record. Members should ask themselves why the Government would risk for $10 million a year its commitment to the Western Australian community that it would not increase taxes, knowing that it had a $221 million surplus. Has the Government asked itself that question?
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Mr Ripper: Barnett’s budget blow-out. Mr BOARD: No, I shall tell the Treasurer what it was about. It was about showing the people in the Western Australian community - which the Government totally misjudged - that now that Labor is back in town it would show Labor voters that somehow it would penalise those who had been successful in their lives. It would penalise those people who for some reason had achieved something in their lives. The Government thought it could mobilise those forces and it got it wrong. What it did was un-Australian and that is the reason it dropped the tax. It was a tax of envy and it was about dividing people in our community. The Government got it wrong because all the people in its heartland turned against it. Labor candidates came to the Government and said, “You got it wrong, Treasurer.” Those people in the Government’s heartland admire people who have achieved something in their lives. We admire people who have done something and achieved something and the Government has no right to take it away from them. This was a tax of envy. The Government has been exposed and the Western Australian community will not forget. MR PENDAL (South Perth) [4.52 pm]: I associate myself with the remarks made, in particular those made by the Leader of the Opposition. This issue, as members could well be aware, was something that made its mark in my electorate, not only in South Perth proper but also in parts of Como and Salter Point. The issue brought about a re- statement of the adage of the politics of envy. I ask the House to dwell for a moment on the fact that this is the second time in as many months that the notion of the politics of envy has come to the fore. I was accused by members of the Government for sticking up for people in South Perth and Como on the issue of the railway being redirected through South Perth and Como because I was defending so-called well-heeled people who could afford to live in riverside suburbs. Mr Acting Speaker (Mr Andrews), that again came strangely from a minister who lives in a suburb - that is, Mt Lawley - which to all intents and purposes is a mirror image of the suburbs that I represent and on behalf of whom I was speaking at the time. I am simply putting on record in this place that the politics of division and envy, which have come through sharply on those two issues, will be the Achilles heel of this Government. Twice in as many months it is indicative of the potential underlying cause of the loss of the middle ground to this Government. I for one dislike it. The politics of envy and division are the politics of hatred. I support the motion. Question put and a division taken with the following result - Ayes (20)
Mr Barnett Mr Barron-Sullivan Mr Edwards Mr Marshall Mr Sweetman Mr Board Mrs Hodson-Thomas Mr Masters Mr Trenorden Dr Constable Mr House Mr Omodei Ms Sue Walker Mr Day Mr Johnson Mr Pendal Dr Woollard Mrs Edwardes Mr McNee Mr Bradshaw (Teller) Noes (28)
Mr Bowler Ms Guise Mr McGowan Ms Radisich Mr Brown Mr Hyde Ms McHale Mr Ripper Mr Carpenter Mr Kobelke Mr McRae Mrs Roberts Mr Dean Mr Kucera Ms Martin Mr Templeman Mr D’Orazio Mr Logan Mr Murray Mr Watson Dr Edwards Ms MacTiernan Mr O’Gorman Mr Whitely Dr Gallop Mr McGinty Mr Quigley Ms Quirk (Teller)
Pairs
Mr Waldron Mr Hill Mr Ainsworth Mr Marlborough Question thus negatived. ZOOLOGICAL PARKS AUTHORITY BILL 2001 Consideration in Detail Resumed from 27 June. Clause 21: Content of annual operational plan - Debate was adjourned after the clause had been partly considered. Mr MASTERS: It has been several weeks since we last debated this Bill. My understanding is that during the estimates committee hearing two weeks ago the minister maybe tried to slap the Opposition’s wrist by suggesting that it
4352 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] was delaying the passage of this Bill. For the record, I point out that I have been waiting with great anticipation for the Bill to be returned to the Notice Paper so that we can deal with it. Mrs Edwardes: The Government is in charge of the business of the House. Mr MASTERS: That is true. I will briefly discuss an issue that I have not raised previously. When the Zoo, under its new format, goes out to attract corporate sponsors and funding from non-government sources, I hope that it will look as much as possible at the issue of ethical sponsorship; in other words, to go to individuals, companies and businesses that are not nuclear waste re-processors, tobacco companies and similar less than ethical organisations or individuals. Clause 21(2)(b) states that an annual operational plan is to specify business and service performance targets and other measures. I previously stated my belief that for the most part, especially when one looks at what is stated in the budget papers, output measures and performance targets are a poor mixture of qualitative and quantitative statements. It is important that we ensure as much as possible that government agencies, whatever their form, including the Zoological Parks Authority, look at performance targets and other measures that relate to the quality of the experience and the impact of their activities on the attitudes and behaviour of the broader population. Although it would be nice to suggest an amendment to clause 21(2)(b), it is something that the Government will need to address either in its current term or in a future term to ensure that performance targets and other measures are more relevant to the modern world. Dr EDWARDS: The Bill has not been changed by this Government; indeed, it was the previous Government’s Bill. We have been a little surprised at the detail the Opposition wants to go into and the number of amendments that have been moved, which led to my comments during the estimates committee hearing. There was no suggestion of my slapping the member on the wrist, because he is perfectly entitled to do what he is doing. I will comment on the member’s statements about sponsorship guidelines. The State Supply Commission recently released sponsorship guidelines, so they will be followed by the Zoo when it seeks sponsorship more fully and ably once this Bill is passed. On the member’s comments about the operational plan and the business and service performance targets, Perth Zoo already has qualitative and quantitative measures to evaluate its performance. In fact, it does a lot of market research. Some of the results of a recent survey indicate that 96 per cent of Perth people had been to the Zoo; 73 per cent had been in the past two years, so its marketing is obviously working well; 84 per cent believe that the Zoo educated its visitors about conservation, which is the sort of message we want visitors to get; 80 per cent thought that going to the Zoo made them think about their attitudes and about wildlife; and 88 per cent believed that the Zoo showed a commitment to conserving life on earth, which is quite an amazing statistic. The Zoo is careful to make sure it is accountable to the community and to its board. The new annual operational plans that will be developed will have a mixture of both quantitative and qualitative evaluation measures. Mr MASTERS: I thank the minister for those comments. It is pleasing to note that I was not being personally whipped or chastised by the minister in her comments during the estimates committee hearing two weeks ago. I also thank her for putting on the record some detail about the types of performance targets and measures that allow people, such as I and others, to judge the day-to-day performance and achievements of the Zoo. Clause put and passed. Clause 22: Minister’s powers in relation to draft annual operational plan - Mr MASTERS: I move - Page 16, line 28 - To insert after the word “plan” the following - and that written notice is to be published in the Government Gazette Clause 22 will allow the minister to direct the annual operational plan to have a certain outcome. I have no problems with the minister being given that power. At the end of the day, government must have the power to govern. This is certainly what clause 22 seeks to achieve. However, I am concerned - I have said this previously during the consideration in detail stage - that there may be circumstances in which a minister of the Crown may direct the board to do certain things which may not be in the best tradition of or in keeping with the behaviour of a zoological park, or which may be of a direct electoral nature. For example, it may be close to election day. I believe there is a need for the minister to accept an amendment that would allow any written notice that the minister gives to the Zoological Parks Authority to be made publicly available, so that all Western Australians, if they so choose, can determine in their own minds whether the minister’s written notice is being done for good and proper reason or whether some less than savoury reasons - for example, electoral gain - are being incorporated within the written notice. To sustain my argument further, an article in The West Australian of Wednesday, 27 June this year is headed “Gallop defends policy on cost of bells”. To give the Premier credit, he withdrew his previous statement that the belltower was losing $1 000 a day, when in fact it was losing $600. However, that is a separate issue. The article states - Dr Gallop said he had released the projections because his Government was committed to being open and transparent with the people of WA about the State’s finances.
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Clearly that is highly commendable. However, I am hoping that the minister will allow that commitment to openness and transparency to be extended to her involvement in directing the Zoological Parks Authority to write its annual operational plan in a particular manner. I believe no harm would be done in accepting this amendment; and if this amendment has any negative aspects that perhaps I cannot see, I would be grateful if the minister could tell me. This amendment would be a commitment by the Government to openness, accountability and transparency, and I commend the amendment to the House. Dr EDWARDS: The Government will not be supporting this amendment, as I have indicated to the member previously. The reason is that there is already good accountability, because if such a direction were ever to be made, it would be published in the annual report; and, as the member knows, annual reports arrive in this place according to a timetable. The difficulty with the member’s proposal is that by publishing the direction in the Government Gazette we would be setting a precedent, and the only beneficiary would be the people who print the Government Gazette, because potentially all sorts of directions could then go into the Government Gazette. Although I appreciate what the member is saying about accountability, accountability measures are already covered by the fact that such a direction will appear in the annual report. I do not think anything has ever been brought to my attention because it appeared in the Government Gazette. The Government Gazette is also quite a difficult document for the general public to obtain. Therefore, nothing would be gained by accepting the amendment. Mr MASTERS: The minister mentioned that any written directions would appear in the annual report. My concern is that the annual report would almost certainly be published many months after any electorally or politically motivated written direction had been given to the board. Therefore, any electoral or political gain could have been achieved in the lead-up to an election, and by the time the annual report was published some months later and the public realised that political or electoral gain had been the motive behind the minister’s actions, it would be too late and it might be two or three years before the next election, by which time most people would have forgotten about it. Therefore, although I accept that any written directions would be published in the annual report, it would defeat the openness, accountability and transparency that I had hoped this amendment would bring to the minister’s ability to direct the board. The minister referred to the precedent that this amendment would set. I agree that it would set a precedent, but that does not cause me any great concern, because it is a precedent that is well deserved and that should be applied to many other aspects of the day-to-day activities of this Government and future Governments, and it should be incorporated in a number of other Acts of Parliament. I note the minister’s comment that the Government Gazette will be the only beneficiary of the requirement that ministers’ written directions be published. I refer the minister to the decision of Cabinet that from now on, annual reports will be published electronically rather than be published in large numbers in hard copy. That means that the Government Gazette may well be the major beneficiary, but the publishing process will occur mainly in cyberspace, so the amount of additional work and additional paper that may be involved will be non-existent or minor. Nonetheless, the minister has said that this amendment will not be proceeded with, and again all I can do is register my hope that the amendment will be accepted. Amendment put and negatived. Clause put and passed. Clauses 23 and 24 put and passed. Clause 25: Other staff - Mr MASTERS: Subclause (4) refers to the operation of the Workplace Agreements Act 1993 or section 100 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994. I understand that most of the staff of the current Zoological Parks Board are employed on enterprise bargaining agreements, and a small number are employed on workplace agreements. Will the Government’s decision to move from workplace or individual agreements to collective bargaining and employer- employee agreements mean that this subclause will need to be amended fairly soon, or will this subclause not need to be amended regardless of any changes the Government may make to those agreements? Dr EDWARDS: I understand that the Government will introduce omnibus legislation to change all these references. I am keen to get this Bill through so that the Zoo can move on and have a modern Bill. Mr MASTERS: I am not suggesting there be a change. I am just asking for clarification. Clause put and passed. Clauses 26 and 27 put and passed. Clause 28: Identity cards - Mr MASTERS: This clause relates to identity cards that will be required when people in authority are trying to achieve some form of law enforcement at the Perth Zoo. Subclause (6) states - This section does not apply to a park management officer who is a police officer.
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I could understand the logic behind that subclause if the police officers were uniformed police officers. However, if there were a disturbance at a night-time function at the Zoo and a number of police officers were called, some of whom were in plain clothes, then the lack of a uniform and of an identity card might make it difficult for members of the public at that function to realise that the people in plain clothes were police officers and were, therefore, de facto park management officers. Do the minister and her advisers share my concern that this subclause should refer to uniformed police officers, or is the minister comfortable that the broad-brush application of the subclause to a police officer will not pose any risks or complications should a plain-clothes police officer be involved in some sort of crowd control? Dr EDWARDS: This is an issue that the Zoo discussed with parliamentary counsel when the Bill was being drawn up. Under the Police Act, a police officer must carry identification to prove that he or she is a police officer. We believe that is a sufficient safeguard. Although I take the member’s point about the distinction between a police officer in uniform and one in plain clothes, it could be argued that there may well be instances of behaviour in the Zoo when it would be useful to have someone who is in plain clothes but who has on him or her the identification to prove that he or she is a police officer. I am informed that the staff of the Zoo have thought about this very carefully and are aware of what the member is talking about. However, the staff and I believe that there are protections under the Police Act to counter what the member is suggesting. Clause put and passed. Clause 29 put and passed. Clause 30: Requirement to leave zoological park - Dr EDWARDS: I move - Page 22, line 8 - To delete “a person committing an offence” and substitute the following - the person committing an offence or believes on reasonable grounds that the person has committed, or is about to commit, an offence All credit for this amendment goes to the member for Vasse. It arises from an amendment he put forward. The staff of the Zoo have taken advice from parliamentary counsel and have worded it in this way. I believe this amendment covers the sentiments raised previously by the member in this debate. Mr MASTERS: I thank the minister for those comments. In general terms, it was an amendment that I suggested. The sad thing is that the media will not report the goodwill and cooperation that is clearly apparent between the Government and the Opposition in trying to get this Bill into a better, more workable form. Amendment put and passed. Clause, as amended, put and passed. Clauses 31 to 40 put and passed. Clause 41: Confidentiality - Mr MASTERS: I move - Page 27, line 14 - To delete “or has been”. Page 27, line 15 - To insert after “committee or” the words “is or has been”. The issue under this confidentiality clause relates to what I hope will be the whistleblower legislation that the minister’s Government has said it will introduce in this place in months, rather than years, from now. Clause 41 so restricts the ability of a person who has been a member of the board, of a committee or of staff to make any public comment that it is contrary to what I expect will be the intention of the Government’s whistleblower legislation when it is introduced later on. Without the first amendment, the first line of the clause reads - A person who is or has been a member of the board or of a committee . . . My concern is that a person who is a member of the board or of a committee that advises the Zoo board may resign because there is corruption or because some other serious problem affecting the Zoo, the board, a committee or something associated with the Zoo must be addressed. My interpretation of line 14, as it currently stands, is that any person who has ever been a member of a board or a committee is forever denied the opportunity to speak publicly about his or her concerns about the way in which the board has operated or is operating; or is forever constrained from commenting about significant problems that might exist within some part of the South Perth Zoo structure. Therefore, the removal of the words “or has been” from line 14 makes enormous sense. However, having said that, the amendment to line 15 to insert the words “is or has been” basically is an attempt by me to try to differentiate between a person who has been a member of the board or a committee and who, once he leaves the board or a committee, should be free to speak about concerns or issues that he or she thinks are relevant; yet there is an understandable need to make sure that a member of staff, even after he or she leaves the employment of the Zoo, is
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4355 not allowed to make public comments, for the reasons outlined in the four paragraphs of the clause. In other words, a person who is a member of staff has the ability, for example, to acquire intellectual knowledge; that is, information that may well be proprietary to the South Perth Zoo, such as captive breeding programs or a wide range of activities relating to the care, breeding and management of birds, animals, plants etc. A member of staff may seek to take away that information and profit from it. That is inappropriate. Therefore, a member of staff should be constrained from doing that, even after he or she leaves the employment of the Zoo. However, a person who has been a member of the board or of a committee should not have that same constraint placed on him or her. Of course, I am assuming that a member of the board or of a committee does not have, or is unlikely to have, the same level of technical knowledge that may give him financial reward when he is no longer a member of the board or of a committee. I hope that my concerns are reasonably clear to the minister. If not, I am happy to try to rephrase them. However, I believe that board and committee members should not be constrained in this manner. Dr EDWARDS: The Government will not accept these two amendments. I understand what the member is getting at, but I do not agree with him. Under the current wording of the clause, all those people, whether they are members of boards, committees or staff, are subject to this confidentiality aspect. I am not sure that I would even agree with the distinction the member is making. Therefore, there will be an extremely interesting debate all round when the whistleblower legislation is introduced. We all agree on the fundamental issue that if somebody thinks that something wrong is going on or is fundamentally flawed, that person should blow the whistle and be protected. Nothing in this legislation stops that. However, it is important that people who become members of the board or of a committee respect what they find out in the course of their duties and that they abide by the rules of confidentiality. Crown Law has taken a good look at what the member has put up, because, obviously, I am interested in what he is saying. I assume that future whistleblower legislation will be omnibus-type legislation that gives protection to all people who have a role on boards or committees or who are public servants. Mrs Edwardes: Is that the advice the minister has received? Will the provision be much more wide-ranging than being confined to those who are subject to the Public Sector Management Act? Dr EDWARDS: My advice is that they would fall within the provision, but can the member take that as my interpretation of what I have been told rather than a legal opinion, because I do not want to mislead anyone? I understand what the member for Vasse is getting at, but I am not sure I agree with where he is pitching it. Parliamentary counsel has looked at the amendment very carefully. He suggests that we do not alter the clause at this stage, because we are not entirely sure of the consequences. Intellectual property is covered by clause 41(a). Whistleblower legislation is covered by clause 41(b). I am happy to take on board any more comments of the member, but at this stage I will not be accepting the amendments, because the advice I have is that I may well be setting up something I do not fully understand. Although we are sympathetic to the content of what the member is saying, our advice is not to accept the amendments. Mr MASTERS: I thank the minister for the explanation. Clause 41(b) will allow at some future date whistleblowers to blow their whistles. May I briefly outline what I believe to be the issue? A member of a board or a committee is unlikely to come into contact with or acquire a great deal of technical and specific knowledge, such as the way in which short-necked western tortoises are encouraged to breed, the detailed food requirements of an orang-outang, or that level of information which could be taken somewhere else and used for financial benefit. The sort of information that a board or committee member is likely to gain would be concerned more with policy or management plans; in other words, the broader issues of how well the board or committee is operating, whether money is being spent appropriately, whether the minister is giving written directions for electoral gain, and so on. They would be concerned with broader issues that would not necessarily include a great deal of technical information. On the other hand, a member of staff involved in breeding dibblers, for example, may well acquire information that can be taken to an organisation for profit. That information may be copyrighted, patented or proprietary to the Perth Zoo. A member of staff is likely to come into contact with technical information. For that reason, confidentiality restrictions should remain; but a member of a board or a committee is unlikely to come into possession of that sort of knowledge, instead the knowledge would be more likely to be broad-ranging about the performance of the board or the committee of the Zoo as a whole. Until whistleblower legislation comes into being, this clause will restrict people, and make it an offence, if they want to say that money is being misspent or there is some other significant problem with a board or committee. Dr EDWARDS: The member’s comments have clarified where he is coming from. However, although I appreciate the point he is making, I disagree with it. I served for a long time on the board of a voluntary organisation. I was aware when serving on that board that I received quite sensitive, confidential information that staff members would not have known about, because the information only became apparent at board level. The type of information to which I am referring in this semi-hypothetical scenario, I could never have used in any commercial way, because it was not that type of information, but I could have used it in other ways, which of course I never would. There are times when board members have information that staff members may not know.
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I take the member’s point about staff members in Perth Zoo having a lot of technical understanding and expertise. However, that is probably why they were employed. I meet many staff at the Zoo, who come from all sorts of zoos from all around the world and who work in Perth for a medium-term time, because they are travelling around and they appreciate the opportunity of visiting Australia, and because of a career advantage. Undoubtedly they learn things from being at Perth Zoo, but it is inevitable that they move on to other zoos. At some point they will take information with them but that is encouraged. That is not quite what we are providing for in the legislation. Our debate is highlighting the fact that although I am sympathetic to what the member is saying, I am not prepared to alter the clause, because I am not prepared to do any damage to the Bill. Amendment put and negatived. Clause put and passed. Clauses 42 to 48 put and passed. Schedule 1 - Mr MASTERS: I assume that the third of the parcels of land that are listed in schedule 1, namely Perth suburban lot 427, is owned by the Zoo. I have a small concern that the Zoological Parks Authority might at some future date sell off that land without some form of recourse to Parliament, or even contrary to the direction of the minister. Could the minister give me some assurances in that regard? The alternative would be for the freehold lot to be amalgamated into either reserve No 22503 or reserve No 8581, which will be the two reserves vested in the Zoological Parks Authority. If the authority will not have the power to sell off or carry out other non-zoo-related activities with the freehold land, my concerns are not appropriate. Dr EDWARDS: Perth Zoo holds the land freehold. I am happy to lay on the table for the remainder of the day the map showing the parcel of land. The member will see from the map that the parcel of land is tiny. It was privately owned before the Zoo purchased it to make sure it had a proper boundary. It is used for the purpose of housing international keepers who visit the Zoo. The intent of the schedule is to consolidate the land within the whole of the Zoo’s area. Mr MASTERS: This map shows that the land is on the corner of Mill Point Road and Onslow Street, so my concern remains valid, because 1 012 square metres is a reasonable area of land on which to build a house. Only a week ago a block of land like that had the potential to attract the premium property tax. It is adjacent on two sides to the South Perth Zoo, and some people might be willing to pay more than a million dollars for a block of land like that. I am still concerned that the authority might have the ability to sell that piece of land if it decided it needed to raise money for whatever reason. Will the future authority have the power to sell that piece of land? If it does not, what are the constraints that limit the authority from selling that land? Is the minister concerned that the authority could sell that block of land without recourse to her, in which case amalgamating that block into one of the class A reserves might be a more appropriate way to go? Dr EDWARDS: I am fairly comfortable with what has been set out. However, I have detailed knowledge and have had the opportunity, like the previous minister, to build a level of trust with both the Zoo and its board. The chief executive officer of the Zoo is more than happy to discuss this with the member and to reassure him that no dastardly deeds are being planned. Mr MASTERS: The minister has not answered my concerns, although she is obviously comfortable with this. I appreciate that the current board and the future authority will continue to have people of the highest calibre, so that in the short term the minister or the Government will have no concerns. However, strange things can happen in the future. I refer the minister to the WA Inc years of the 1980s when all sorts of land deals occurred in ways that were embarrassing to everyone except the people who made money at the expense of the taxpayer. I would like some controls to be placed on the authority, so that it cannot sell this land except by formal approval of the minister or, if it was included in one of those two class A reserves, with the authority of Parliament. Dr EDWARDS: I appreciate what the member is saying. I hope I can reassure the member that it is not the policy of the Zoological Gardens Board to sell off its land; it needs all the land it can lay its hand on. I appreciate the member’s sentiment that it should not be allowed to sell this land without recourse to the minister. I am happy to discuss incorporating this block within the reserves. The CEO is happy to do that; however, I do not want go that far. What I am learning in this job is that one needs to keep one’s options open until one understands the ramifications. We had a good example of that this afternoon with the premium property tax, in which an option was put out and the Government decided that it was not the best option and has changed its mind. I will seek to incorporate in the Bill the need for the board to consult the minister if it plans to do anything with that land, particularly to dispose of it. I will discuss the possibility of incorporating the plot of land to which the member has referred within the total reserve and making it formally part of the reserve. Mr MASTERS: I am very much reassured by what the minister has said. In response to the minister’s comment about closing off options, I am not suggesting that too many options be closed off permanently. I am simply asking that the way in which the options are applied be changed. For example, if that freehold land were added to one of the class A
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4357 reserves, the option would remain for the authority to sell that land, but it would need the approval of the Parliament. I do not want to dwell on the issue. The bottom line is that the minister has made the commitment to look into the issue further and investigate the possibilities. The minister is aware of my concerns and I am more than satisfied with her assurances. Schedule put and passed. Schedule 2 - Mr MASTERS: Clause 2 places restrictions on the appointment of board members, in particular, when people become bankrupt or apply under any law for relief from their debts. I would have thought the Government of the day would not want to appoint to the board someone who had been a bankrupt - say in the past five years, but was no longer bankrupt. Clause 2 does not restrict the appointment of someone who has been a bankrupt and whose bankruptcy has been discharged. I believe that bankrupts need to pay their dues to society. Most bankrupts do not make either court ordered or voluntary payments to repay their debts before they are discharged from bankruptcy when they are no longer liable for those debts. I would be concerned if someone appointed to the board had been a bankrupt in the five years prior to their nomination for board membership. Does the minister share my concerns? Dr EDWARDS: Clause 2 is as the member has described. However, the State Government has guidelines for appointments to boards and committees that cover this issue. These policy guidelines are circulated to people to consider when they are appointing someone to a committee. Although I agree with the member, some people may take exception to his comments. People in the community who have been bankrupt in the past have learnt from that experience, and have moved on and made a fulsome commitment to society. The member’s point is covered by clause 2, which refers to people who are bankrupt or who become bankrupt while they are board members, and by the Government’s guidelines and recommendations on previous bankruptcies. Mr MASTERS: I move - Page 39, line 31 - To insert after “Parliament” the words “and that declaration is to be published in the Government Gazette”. To save time, I will not repeat all the concerns I raised previously about openness, accountability and transparency of government actions. However, I believe that if the minister were to make a declaration that clauses 17 and 19 - which relate to the way in which the board operates - do not apply either together or singly, I hope that the declaration would be made public in the Government Gazette. I suspect that the minister will not accept the amendment but can the minister say whether the declaration also needs to be published in the Zoo’s annual report? That would go a small way towards overcoming my concern. Dr EDWARDS: The member is correct that we will not accept the amendment. However, I point out that the member is attempting to amend a copy of a declaration that is laid before both Houses of Parliament. The laying of the declaration before both Houses of Parliament, rather than its being published in the Government Gazette, would ensure much greater scrutiny. For that reason, if this does happen, I do not believe that publishing the declaration in the Government Gazette would add to accountability and openness. The advice I have is to not accept the amendment. Mr MASTERS: Can the minister tell me what law requires the declaration to be laid before both Houses of Parliament? Will it appear in the annual report, which must be presented to Parliament, or in another mechanism to ensure that the Parliament and the public are made aware of the declaration? Dr EDWARDS: Subclause 20(2) of schedule 2 reads - The Minister must within 14 days after a declaration under subclause (1) is made cause a copy of the declaration to be laid before each House of Parliament. The only occasion when the member’s concern would have merit would be during a long break between publications of the Government Gazette. However, when Parliament is sitting for most of the weeks of a year, the frequency of the Parliament’s sitting would not be much less than the frequency of publication of the Government Gazette. Mr MASTERS: I thank the minister for those comments. I had highlighted the words in subclause (2) read by the minister and had made a note to ask what would happen if Parliament were not sitting? That continues to be a matter of concern. If we go back to the last 12 months, we had an election in February. I believe this Parliament rose last year at the end of the first week of December and did not sit again until the beginning of May. In those five months, this clause could not have been put into effect because neither of the two Houses of Parliament were sitting. That is the motivation for the amendment. Again, I understand the minister will not be supporting it but at least my comments are on the record. Dr EDWARDS: I am sure the member knows more about maths than I do. However, the probability of such a long break from Parliament is that it would occur only every four years and even less than every four years if the incumbent Government is returned. The probability of the clauses being triggered would, in my experience, be fairly low,
4358 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] although my experience is limited. However, no concern like this has come to my attention in the time that I have been the minister. If one adds together those two small probabilities, the probability becomes even smaller. Amendment put and negatived. Schedule put and passed. Schedules 3 to 5 put and passed. Title put and passed. Sitting suspended from 5.57 to 7.00 pm
APPROPRIATION (CONSOLIDATED FUND) BILL (NO. 1) 2001 APPROPRIATION (CONSOLIDATED FUND) BILL (NO. 2) 2001 Estimates Committees A and B Reports and Minutes - Presentation and Adoption MS GUISE (Deputy Speaker): I present the report and minutes of Estimates Committees A and B, which recommend the appropriations and estimates and agree to the Appropriation (Consolidated Fund) Bill (No. 1) 2001 and the Appropriation (Consolidated Fund) Bill (No. 2) 2001 and move - That the report of Estimates Committee A be adopted. I have noted the comments that have been made about the somewhat crowded conditions that members and others experienced during the estimates committee process. I am not referring to this Chamber, but to the room in which Estimates Committee B was held. We will seek to review both the choice of accommodation and the allocation of rooms for some of the bigger agencies for next year to alleviate that pressure. I acknowledge that we experienced some difficulties in that room, and we will attempt to address that for next year. I take the opportunity to thank the team of Acting Speakers for their support and the excellent job they did during the week, and also for the cooperation of members. It was a new experience for many of us, and it was good to see cooperation and collaboration from those who had been through the process before. They beared with us as we proceeded with the new experience. I will highlight a number of questions of interest to me which were addressed during Estimates Committee A hearings. It is a broad view as I mostly chaired those hearings. First, in relation to the session on Parliament, I noted with pleasure the plans to improve facilities in Parliament. The relocation of the library will be a great advantage to both staff and members. Having visited the Parliamentary Library in Canberra, I can tell members that any increase in accommodation will be welcomed by staff. The library in Canberra is something to behold. It is very large. Members could spend a week in there and not find their way out. It will take us a long time to compete at that level, but I am pleased to note that the new library location will provide additional room, and everyone will benefit from that. As a person who once worked in this place all but briefly, any improvements in working conditions are to be commended, so I hope that we can continue along those lines. I also noted with interest questions raised during the hearing on police and emergency services, in particular those pertinent to the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of WA. Moves by FESA to develop and align services to meet the needs of the community in fast-growing areas such as Wanneroo are absolutely vital and are to be commended. Preventive measures of education and awareness programs are of great importance. We need only look at the fires that ensued earlier in the year in the electorate of Wanneroo. Those programs are essential for people to know the difference between what is and what is not a firebreak, how to clear their properties effectively, and how to ensure that they have water available. They also must have access to each other and there must be access and communication between all the services they require. On that note, I commend the people who helped during that time, including the people from the fire and emergency services, the volunteer fire units, the units that came from all over the State, the other volunteers, the Country Women’s Association and the police. In particular, I recognise the work of the people from the Salvation Army who were absolutely exceptional. I recently met with the staff of the local fire office and I commend them for the job they do in supporting the community. The allocation of funds is essential for this service and is to be commended. I note that $7.78 million has been allocated for capital works for the ongoing replacement of equipment and specialised appliances, as well as for trucks and trailers for the State Emergency Service volunteer units. Once again, they are crucial items for an area such as mine. Another session of the estimates committee hearings of interest to me was disability services. I commend to the House the importance of recognising the needs of people with dual disabilities. It is acknowledged in the major initiatives for 2001, with a framework being developed in conjunction with the Department of Health for the provision of accommodation. During the estimates committee session, Dr Shean pointed out the difficulties quite well. Although people with profound intellectual disabilities are able to access support through the Disability Services Commission, those with low intellectual disabilities but with severe psychiatric impairment require little ongoing support, but often
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4359 need high levels of support from the Department of Health; hence the need to develop the services of the two departments working in partnership. As I said, it is a broad view, because I chaired many of the estimates committee hearings during the week. However, I wanted to highlight those particular points. Also, members showed great diligence during the week. I commend the work of the committees. We covered a lot in Estimates Committee A, including public sector management, citizenship and multicultural affairs, environment and heritage, training, state development, tourism and small business, to name but a few. The questions were asked and answered in good spirit at most times. I believe that supplementary information, when sought, has now been provided to all members. I also thank the parliamentary staff who did a wonderful job during the week to support people such as I who were new to the experience. They are all to be commended, particularly the Hansard staff. They also had a difficult time with their appearance at Estimates Committee B, as did the other people who recorded those sessions. I acknowledge and thank members for their cooperation and understanding during that time. It was a new experience, and I am sure we can improve on it.. MR KOBELKE (Nollamara - Leader of the House) [7.10 pm]: The Estimates Committees once again proved to be an important forum of the House to ensure that members understand items within the budget and can hold the Government accountable for the expenditure that will be voted on through the appropriation Bills. The Estimates Committees have been in place for some time and have been varied over the years. The model that we ran with this year was the one that the previous Government had used. It is a good model, but it has shortcomings, and what can flow from the debate on these two committee reports is some suggestions about how that model can be improved. I will comment on a number of areas in which we need to be mindful of particular factors or make changes. The large number of new members involved in the Estimates Committees meant that it was very much a learning process for the members of the committee and also the Chairs, because most of the Chairs were new members and had not had previous experience of sitting in the Estimates Committees. I congratulate all members for their contribution in making the Estimates Committees work, particularly the Chairs, who had to ensure that the committees ran efficiently and members could have a rational discussion about a range of matters and try to elicit the information that they were seeking. I give sincere thanks to all those involved, including the staff who helped to ensure that the committees ran smoothly, and the Hansard staff who gave us the record. A number of issues arose in the three committees in which I was involved. One issue was whether members could ask questions about matters that were not in the budget. The ruling that was given by the Chairs in that case was in conformity with the ruling that has always been given; namely, that under standing orders, members cannot ask questions about an item of expenditure that does not appear as an item in a departmental budget. As in the past, that ruling was not necessarily satisfactory to some members, because it meant that members could not ask questions about matters that were not in the budget. That has been a perennial issue and one that we have not addressed in the past. I am open to suggestions about how we may address that issue, but I do not believe there is a ready and easy solution, because it raises the potential that the gamut will be so wide that we cannot control the process. The value of the Estimates Committees is not only in the primary role of keeping the Government accountable and asking the Government questions about the expenditure that is to be approved so that members can raise points about its appropriateness or otherwise, or about the priorities that the Government is setting in its legislation. All of those matters should be taken up in debate and rightly were. The value of the Estimates Committees is also to give new members an insight into the way departments are structured, programs are run and budgets are allocated. It is important that members of Parliament have some understanding of the policy and program structure and the funding so that they can get the answers that they require or can influence the various processes of government with regard to those matters; and that came out in the committees in which I was involved. I turn now to some procedural matters with regard to the Estimates Committees. A number of the sessions finished earlier than the scheduled time. This is often a difficulty, because from year to year the priority or concentration of questions for a portfolio may shift, and we cannot always foresee that when we are drawing up the program. The program that we ran this year was very much a replica of the program that we had last year. However, last year we had a different agency and departmental structure. Therefore, in cases in which two agencies or departments had been amalgamated, we took the times that had been allocated last year and added them together for the new agency or department. That meant that this year, the times for the various agencies closely mirrored the times that were allocated last year. Planning and infrastructure finished 30 minutes short of the time allocated; training finished two hours short of the time allocated; housing and works did not require one and a half hours of the time that had been allocated and finished early; education finished 15 minutes prior to the allocated time; sport and recreation and indigenous affairs, which were grouped together for a timeslot, finished 30 minutes short of the allocated time; and the Attorney General and justice did not need one hour of the time that had been allocated. Perhaps some of the other committee sessions needed more time. I did not receive any complaints that there were pressing issues that could not be addressed because the time had run out. Mrs Edwardes: Heritage was not dealt with at all.
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Mr KOBELKE: In that area, clearly more time was needed. In past years, a range of portfolios were not dealt with because the ones that were dealt with earlier took up all the time and no time was left for portfolios in which members had an interest; or even if members did not have a particular interest, the officials were in attendance and would have liked the opportunity to answer questions but that opportunity was not presented to them because that portfolio was further down the list. It is difficult to find a trade-off, because if we specified a time for each portfolio, members would be locked in, in which case they might spend more time than they wanted on one portfolio, and the next portfolio, on which they might have a lot of questions, would be curtailed. The upside of the current arrangement is that members have greater flexibility to move between portfolios, because they are lumped into the same time allocation. The downside is that if one portfolio runs on for too long, members may miss out. I am happy to enter into a debate with members on both sides about whether we can find a better compromise between those two guiding spirits, but we are working on the model that has operated for some years. It is certainly not perfect, but we need positive suggestions about how we may improve it. With regard to the allocation of times for next year’s Estimates Committees, I will work on the same basis as I did this year, in which I provided a draft to members of the Opposition and the National Party, and the Independents, received some feedback, and then put the timetable together. We cannot please everyone, but I think members were given a reasonable opportunity this year to have some input into the allocation of times, and on the whole it seemed to work, although perhaps we were a bit generous with the time in some areas. In my view, we should not restrict the length of time. I would rather we have more time and not use it than allocate time and find that a range of questions that need to be asked cannot be asked because we have run out of time. Another issue was the bomb scare, which meant that the Chamber and the whole building had to be cleared and 45 minutes was lost from the treasury and education estimates. The standing orders do not allow for the times to be readjusted in cases such as that, for the good reason that if the times can be adjusted on the vote of the committee, things may get out of control. We need to have a schedule and to stick to that schedule. However, we may need to find some way in which the standing orders can provide flexibility to cater for an exceptional circumstance such as if the building needs to be cleared in an emergency or a hoax emergency. That is the only time in my 13 years in this place that the Estimates Committees have been interrupted by a hoax bomb scare. That is certainly a matter that we can consider, and I am happy to listen to the views of members on that matter. The health Estimates Committee was held in the Assembly select committee room. It might have been more appropriate to have held that hearing in this Chamber, because the large number of advisers overcrowded the room and meant that there was limited access for the media. We need to consider the agencies that have a lot of departmental people who like to be involved and that may be of particular interest to the media, and next year we will try to ensure that those portfolios are programmed to take place in this Chamber rather than in a smaller room. A new innovation with the Estimates Committees this year was the ability to have teleconferencing. This arose from the fact that I was acting on behalf of the minister in the other place, who had responsibility for three regional development commissions. We could have had the situation that sometimes happened in the past, in which we flew the chief executive officers to Perth at reasonable expense and perhaps required them to take a day or two out of their program if it did not fit in with some other business that they had to deal with in Perth, and they might not be asked a single question. Therefore, we tried a teleconference arrangement. I think it worked satisfactorily. We were able to get direct answers from the chief executive officers from the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne Development Commissions. The answers they provided were very much to the point and provided information. In only one case was the line bad, when it was hard for the CEO on the other end to hear what was being said. However, we were still able to have an effective conversation. In other cases, that problem did not arise. Clearly, there was direct access to the CEOs to provide the detailed information that the minister may not have had, and one would not expect a minister representing a minister in another place to be able to provide that detail. That innovation worked well, and I hope it will be continued next year. In closing, I again thank all members for their contributions, particularly the Chairs, who handled their job admirably. The committees were productive. My view may be seen to be subjective, but the fact that a number of committees finished prior to the allocated time indicates that all members had an opportunity, at least in those committee hearings, to ask whatever questions they wanted to ask, and were able to do that in a reasonable time. I therefore thank all those involved for the smooth running of those committees. Mr Johnson: Can we have an assurance that next year the Premier won’t dish out his green folders with the dorothy dixers and the long answers that he read out, because that wasted a lot of time in this year’s estimates? Mr KOBELKE: If the time was wasted, why did so many committees not use their full time? Mr Johnson: Time was taken up by your backbenchers asking the dorothy dix questions that were given to them by somebody from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. The questions were all in those green folders, and the Premier had all the written answers. He read them out, and it wasted a lot of time. Mr KOBELKE: I do not think there is evidence of that. I remember being in this Chamber in a previous year when Minister Kierath wrote out a question and asked one of the Liberal Party members to ask him that question so that he
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4361 could take up time going on and on and did not have to answer any questions from opposition members. The political realities are that all Governments - Mr Johnson: Each of your backbenchers had a green file that set out all the dorothy dixers that the Premier or his staff wanted asked. Mr KOBELKE: The member is making a fairly wild assertion. All Governments help to provide information to their members, and information that may assist them with questions is available. The leap of illogicality that the member then takes is to say that that wasted time. Mr Johnson: It took up the time of the Opposition, which has every right to ask questions. Mr KOBELKE: The member alluded to the Premier. This year, in the time allocated to the Department of the Premier and Cabinet in the estimates committee hearings, the Opposition asked approximately 30 questions of the Premier, and government backbenchers asked about 18 questions. Mr Johnson: Those 18 questions took twice as long as the questions we asked. The Premier made such long statements in his answers that they took twice as much time. Mr KOBELKE: Is the member suggesting that we should emulate the last Government and take five times as long? Mr Johnson: No. I am suggesting that you should play fair and give opposition members the opportunity to ask all the questions they want to ask. The ACTING SPEAKER (Mr McRae): Members, we have only one hour for this debate, and a number of members will want to comment. I am sure that the member for Hillarys will want to do the same. Now that that matter has been raised, it is probably better for the member to reserve the rest of his comments for when he speaks. Mr KOBELKE: I need to deal with the interjection rather than go on and on. All Governments provide information to assist their members. This Government did that, as did the last Government. The issue is whether that was used in any way to prevent opposition members asking questions. I do not think there is any evidence of that. In the estimates committee hearing for the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, 30 questions were asked of the Premier by opposition members, and 18 questions were asked by government members. If the Opposition says that is too many, it should look back to 2000, when the Labor Opposition asked 25 questions of Premier Court, and Liberal backbenchers asked 20 questions. Therefore, last year, government and opposition questions were almost equal in number. This year, the ratio was almost two to one, with the Opposition getting two chances to the Government’s one. If there was a problem, it seems that it was a much lesser problem than existed under the previous Government. Mr Day: Give us the figures on health. Mr KOBELKE: I have just given the figures for the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. There may be one or two portfolios in which the Opposition has a basis for some argument. However, one or two over four days does not seem to amount to much of an argument. In fact, in the portfolios in which I was involved, there was ample time for the Opposition to ask questions. Government members did not take up a lot of time with their questions. The overwhelming number of questions came from opposition members. That is appropriate and good. On that basis, the facts show that although the issues raised in the member’s interjections may continue to be monitored and looked at, we did much better this year than we did in previous years under the last Government. MR DAY (Darling Range) [7.25 pm]: I agree that the Estimates Committee process is an important part of the analysis and examination of the budget. It gives members an opportunity to consider matters in much greater detail than would otherwise be the case in most other forums. It also gives members the opportunity to scrutinise programs that are planned by the Government for the forthcoming 12 months, and to question in more detail how funds have been expended over the previous 12 months. On the timing of the committees, I was surprised to hear the Leader of the House say that the hearings for a number of portfolios concluded early. Certainly, the ones in which I was involved did not conclude early. All the time was used. In some cases we could have done with a bit more time, although generally it was about right. I was present for the end of the hearing on the health portfolio, and it could have gone for at least another two or three hours. The member for Murdoch will make additional comments about the Estimates Committee process for the health portfolio, because he was dissatisfied with the inability to get answers to many of the questions he asked. At least in the time that I was present, government members seemed to focus on occupying as much time in the process as possible. The Opposition appreciates that the Government agreed not to schedule the Estimates Committee meetings on the Thursday night of the sitting week so that the Parliamentary Liberal Party could hold the dinner for retiring members of the Liberal Party that had been planned previously. It was good that we had the opportunity to go ahead with that. It has been reported to me that the provision of information was more effective in some portfolios. Certainly, from my recollection, in the state development and energy portfolios there was a good interaction and a good discussion. Generally speaking, the information sought was provided. The session with the Premier was less satisfying. He seemed to be much more defensive and closed. As has been stated, a range of prepared questions were resorted to by members
4362 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] of the Government. A degree of frustration was felt by the member for Murdoch and other opposition members in the health portfolio estimates process. An issue has been raised about the provision of supplementary information. Some supplementary information was not provided until the dinner suspension that has just concluded. The point was made by the then Opposition last year, and on previous occasions, that it is important for the Opposition to have adequate time to analyse this information, so that it can scrutinise the whole process in this debate and in the third reading debate when it is appropriate to do so. Indeed, further supplementary information has still not been provided in the education portfolio, in particular. That is something on which the Government has fallen down. Some supplementary information came through quickly. The first supplementary information that I received was on the parliamentary budget allocation. Supplementary information from other portfolios came through reasonably quickly. Supplementary information from Treasury came through only during the dinner break. I understand that we are still waiting for supplementary information from the Department of Education. The Leader of the House referred to the location of the Estimates Committee that considered the health portfolio. Quite clearly it should have been held in this Legislative Assembly Chamber rather than the committee room. I believe the same applies to the Estimates Committee that considered the education portfolio. I know from my direct involvement over the past couple of years that the health portfolio has been dealt with in this Chamber, given that it is such a complex and diverse portfolio and that a large number of officers assist in providing information. This is by far the most appropriate room in the building in which to hold the Estimates Committee that deals with the health portfolio. I have no idea why it was held in the committee room this year, but it was a mistake. I hope the mistake will be rectified for future years. The same applies to the education portfolio for exactly the same reasons. The estimates committee process is an opportunity for members of the House, in particular opposition and non- government members, to question the Government in detail about the budget that has been presented, and to get further information on a whole range of issues. I can do no better than refer to the member for Nollamara’s comments when in opposition, in June of last year during the equivalent debate. He said - There is certainly a degree of frustration in a committee when opposition members, who put considerable work into preparing questions to try to get an understanding of key issues within the budget, are denied the opportunity to ask questions by members on the government side, who ask a range of trivial questions which lead to a general discussion about whether a program of weed eradication or support for a football team is the way to go in a particular minister’s portfolio. Many of those discussions are obviously of some interest to individuals, but they can take place at any time outside the Chamber. Now that the Labor Party is in government, one would have thought that on this occasion it might put a little of what it preached into practice. Mr Kobelke: On the figures I gave you, we have. Mr DAY: In some cases the estimates committee process was quite satisfying; in other cases it was far less satisfying. The session with the Premier was one example of that. As the member for Hillarys asked by interjection, what did we see from government members during the estimates committee process? We saw them sitting with their little green folders and their typed-out questions, religiously going through them and ticking them off when they had been asked. The Premier and some ministers virtually read out answers. I do not argue with the proposition that it is perhaps reasonable for ministers to give members of the Government some idea about questions or subjects that might be raised. That has been done previously. I have certainly never seen such an orchestrated and manipulated process undertaken by a Government, in which questions are typed out at some length and put into green folders, and the gnomes of the government backbench religiously and slavishly go through them. Mr Brown: Is it the colour of the folders that you did not like? Mrs Edwardes: Some of them took the pages out of the folders the next day because they were embarrassed. Mr DAY: They did indeed get a little embarrassed. I am pleased that in the session with the Minister for State Development, although that sort of approach was used to a certain extent, it was not to as great an extent as during one or two other sessions. I am not sure whether the minister was here when I said it, but I believe that the exchange we had was generally constructive and reasonably conducted. I hope that the Government has learnt a lesson. The way it approaches the Estimates Committee must be far less orchestrated. Mr Kobelke: Are you saying that we should be far less organised? Mr DAY: I said “orchestrated”. I am sure that some back bench members would appreciate being given credit for being able to read through the budget papers, being aware of issues in their communities and the portfolios in which they have an interest, and generating their own questions. Next year they might be able to show that they can think for themselves and ask a few questions that they generate rather than having to slavishly follow the very orchestrated process that was attempted by the Government, particularly on the first day. After that, government members became a little embarrassed when it was pointed out by the Opposition, and they did at least remove the questions from the
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4363 brightly coloured green folders that were so obvious to everybody in the Chamber at the time. The Opposition supports the motion, with the reservations I and other members have outlined. MRS EDWARDES (Kingsley) [7.36 pm]: I support the motion. In doing so, I will raise a couple of points aimed at achieving a level of improvement. There are always ways in which we can improve the process. The Leader of the House raised some points that he grappled with in opposition and we grappled with when in government. When I first came to the Parliament and our roles were reversed, we similarly grappled with those problems. There will always be advantages and disadvantages with time management. Given some of the challenges that have arisen through the different portfolios being pulled together under one umbrella, we must examine time management. The environment portfolio was a clear example of there not being enough time, because of the broad range and the number of divisions in the portfolio. The member for Greenough will obviously comment on the fact that he did not get a chance to raise questions on heritage. Members experience frustration when they put a lot of time and effort into reading budget papers and preparing questions, and do not get a chance to ask them. Although there was an informal arrangement that we would finish at a particular time, some members of the Government did not follow through with the spirit of intent. That was a shame because most of the committees were dealt with in very good spirits. A great number of them generally had camaraderie. On some occasions, if a minister was getting into difficulty or needed support, the Chairman helped, as did some of the government members. On only one occasion did one of the government members do that in less than good spirit. The vast majority of government members are to be commended on the way they asked questions and how the ministers answered them. However, some ministers fudged the answers. It was only a small number, fortunately. The rest dealt with questions with a great deal of integrity and answered candidly. It was a shame that on a couple of occasions that was not done by all ministers. I shall refer to the reason for estimates committees, and the fact that not all the supplementary information has been made available before the start of the estimates debate and the third reading. I remember well a couple of years ago when the Leader of the House asked, at about 4.30 pm on a Wednesday, why we should rush through the estimates debate when he had received his supplementary answers the previous morning. He said that he had attended a Labor Party meeting, and then had to do this and that. He had the supplementary information for more than 24 hours, whereas some of us were still waiting for answers. That may be because the information had not come through or it may be a matter of interpretation as to what supplementary information would be provided on a specific question. I have a couple of queries along those lines. Prior to the debate I spoke to the Leader of the House about how we can better structure the supplementary information that is provided. We could number it in some way, and the ministers could indicate the supplementary information they understood would be provided. For example, I received an answer to only one of the three areas in which I had asked for supplementary information. There was no intent to deny me that information, but there was a misunderstanding about the information that would be provided. I would be happy to discuss a better way of organising the supplementary information with the Government and the Clerks. I refer to the ALP policy on accountability, which indicates that a Labor Government will aim for the highest standards of openness and accountability. It says that members of the public have a right to know how their money will be spent and how their public services will be delivered. Those elements should be evident in the estimates committee hearings. However, both the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Hillarys commented on the level of frustration that arose out of the structured and orchestrated green folder of questions from government members. In some instances ministers were shuffling their papers trying to find the prepared answers. We had the ludicrous situation of government members, who had returned from making phone calls, asking questions that had already been asked by their colleagues because someone had forgotten to cross them off the Government’s list of prepared questions! That took this practice to a higher level than I can remember in the 13 years that I have been in this Parliament. A couple of government members are independent thinkers and asked questions on issues that pertained to their electorates and were important to them. I congratulate those independent thinkers - they know who they are - because they have set the tone for next year. Government members do not need a list of prepared questions. They are members of Parliament, and they did not get to that position by being spoon fed. They have had their first run at an estimates committee hearing; they have now learnt the game. New members can receive guidance about what questions to ask, but not in such an organised and ordered fashion. The Royal Commission into Commercial Activities of Government and Other Matters raised concerns about ministers answering a block of prepared questions. We do not want to again fall into the habit of using this Parliament as a venue in which questions are not answered. We have already seen that occur with questions on notice. I can number ministers from one to 14 on the basis of who provides the best and who provides the worst answers to questions. The Attorney General provides the best answers. He has answered openly and candidly every one of the questions that I have put on notice. The worst minister is in the other House. Hon Nick Griffiths refuses to answer any questions, and he always has a damn good reason for the information not being available! Mr Kobelke: Perhaps we need to help you with the questions. Mrs EDWARDES: If I had some help I could probably ask two or three times more than I do at the moment.
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Mr Kobelke: The volume is there; I am talking about the quality. Mrs EDWARDES: I thought I was doing pretty well. This is about the use of the Parliament as an open forum to get the information out to the public. Members have an opportunity - as stated by the Leader of the House - to put the minister on the mat during not only the estimates committee hearings but also question time. If the Government were serious about accountability it would live up to what it said; that is, members of the public have a right to know what their money is being spent on and how their public services are being delivered. I mentioned the time management of portfolios. The time allocated to justice and the Attorney General was changed this year. It was less than the five hours allocated last year, which would have been far too long. Dealing with prisons and the other justice issues in the morning was an appropriate change. The environment portfolio was too extensive. The portfolios that the Leader of the House dealt with brought three major agencies under one division, which worked better than splitting up portfolios and dealing with separate areas. That allowed some crossover of questions in those very important areas. If we had been able to do that with the environment portfolio we may not have got all of our questions up, but we could have asked a number of questions across the different areas in the portfolio. Mr Kobelke: Are you talking about areas within the divisions or across the divisions? Mrs EDWARDES: Some portfolios have numerous divisions. For instance, the Minister for the Environment dealt with Kings Park and the Zoological Gardens Board. Mr Kobelke: If the member is talking about across divisions, that becomes technically a little more difficult. Mrs EDWARDES: The other ministers did not bring their portfolios together under one umbrella. The Leader of the House dealt with his portfolios and presented his budget in a far more effective way. The environment portfolio did not have the same integrated approach as that taken by the Leader of the House. That may happen next year. Mr Kobelke: That is because areas in my portfolio have been amalgamated under a single department. The Minister for the Environment’s portfolio has separate agencies and departments, so it must have separate budget divisions. It does not have that flexibility. Mrs EDWARDES: I thought some of that integration was still to occur. Mr Kobelke: The point the member is making is that to the extent that the integration worked in that area, it would be an advantage to other areas. Mrs EDWARDES: Absolutely. It overcame some of the difficulties of time management faced in other areas. I will raise another couple of matters about Estimates Committee B. The venue for committee B is far too small. Some of the members talked about using the fantastic new committee facilities across the road. That would not work, because members need to have the flexibility to move from one committee to the other. The Chairman of Committees has suggested that we deal with the large portfolios in this Chamber, because the venue for committee B is not as comfortable. Presentation of the budget papers made them easily understood. I have only a couple of issues with them. Budget paper No 3, the Economic and Fiscal Outlook, contained a lot of information that was not available in budget paper No 2, which referred to the approval process for budgets. On a number of occasions I had to refer to a page number in budget paper No 2 but the detailed information I was asking for was contained in budget paper No 3. Budget paper No 3 is a highly valuable document for interpreting some of the material in budget paper No 2. I had no difficulty in asking questions through any of the chairmen of committees. In fact I commend the chairmen of the respective committees that I attended. However, some value would be gained by putting some of the information into budget paper No 2. An example in which the Deputy Speaker would have an interest is the proposed new primary schools at East Marangaroo and Carramar. I could not find them until I searched the CD-ROM. They should have been identified somewhere in budget paper No 2, otherwise it gives a misleading picture of the projects that are budgeted. If $5.5 million is budgeted for each school in the out years, it should be identified in budget paper No 2, yet only the current year’s capital works projects and aggregated figures are listed, not a breakdown of those figures. Members were constantly asking for breakdowns of the information provided. Another issue is that the CD-ROM was great to use and is an improvement on last year’s CD-ROM. However, it could be further improved so that members could use it on laptop computers obviating the necessity to bring into the Parliament files and pieces of paper. If the CD-ROM were paginated, we could refer to it in committee. It could also be developed so that members could insert their questions as an overview - I do not know the technical term - when referring to the division and item numbers. Time would be saved and greater efficiencies gained if that program could be developed in time for next year’s budget. Mr Hyde: And it won’t need a green file! Mrs EDWARDES: The member for Perth will have to find his own cover!
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The chairmen were good facilitators and continued the progression of the committees. Very few government members of Parliament asked individual questions and I encourage them to do that next year. They did not get where they are in this place without the ability to think for themselves. They should ask questions because it will help them to do their job much better. If the other points I raised about time management, the presentation of the budget papers and the CD- ROM are taken on board, we will continue to improve the estimates committee process. MR EDWARDS (Greenough) [7.53 pm]: I shall keep my comments brief because the member for Kingsley said a great deal about the estimates committees. I am a new member to this place and this was my first experience of estimates committees. I was also one of the chairmen of those committees, which I believe ran smoothly in the main. As a chairman, I appreciated the goodwill returned to me from members. I must say as chairmen we had some moments. I will comment on the heritage issue raised earlier by the member for Kingsley and the issue of timing raised by the Leader of the House. Heritage may not be a high profile issue for this Parliament but it was unfortunate that the time allocated was not enough to embrace it. I asked many questions on the environment and was probably as much to blame as other members for continuing the run of questions in that area. However, the environment is an important issue and an important portfolio and those questions needed to be asked. I ask that due consideration be given to heritage in the future. I am aware that chief executive officers and advisers were sitting in the back of the Chamber probably twiddling their thumbs most of the afternoon waiting to be called upon and of course were not. Obviously, they also wasted their time. Heritage issues will increase the pressure on planning and development issues in the future. Our younger generation will see that heritage issues are of importance and will become far more relevant. I therefore ask that heritage matters be addressed. Another issue that arose for the chairmen of the committees was the so-called supplementary questions. A member recently asked me whether they were supplementary questions. I wondered whether they were more questions that arose from an issue, which were not really supplementary questions, but rather questions that followed a line of interest. How we follow through those lines of interest is something that may need to be considered. On a few occasions - I am sure the Deputy Speaker is making a note of this - members sought to ask supplementary questions. There were probably 10 supplementary questions at that time, but I do not believe they were all genuine supplementary questions. We must define more clearly where a line of questioning is leading. I raise that matter as an issue. Mr Kobelke: In support of the Bill? Mr EDWARDS: Yes, a line of questioning in support of the Bill or an extension of a question. Mr Kobelke: You are suggesting that members should be able to pursue a line of questioning to get details about an issue? Mr EDWARDS: Yes, that is what I am suggesting. That is all I have to say. In general I support the motion. We can only improve on what we did this year. I suppose I could have a small shot at the Government by saying that perhaps the green folders do not need to be quite as obvious as they were. I support the motion. MR WALDRON (Wagin) [7.57 pm]: I shall make a brief comment as I believe most of what I want to say has been said. As a new member, I found the estimates committee process valuable. I was not sure how it would work until I got into it and I found it to be a great way to listen and learn, although I may not have been directly involved in all of the process. It was of great use to learn from the questions asked in the areas in which I have a special interest. I believe that the committees were conducted in a good manner but I intend to mention briefly the time given for asking questions. It was disappointing to note that some areas of a portfolio were not reached. I do not know whether it is possible to allocate an amount of time to each portfolio as that may cause problems in the attendance of advisers. However, in one division when the Acting Speaker was chairman, we did not reach one section, and I believe that the allocated time ran out to ask questions in the fisheries section of the agricultural division. If these portfolios were allocated a time, at least the priority questions could be asked. If time were still available, more questions could be asked, as the Leader of the House did, between one portfolio and the other. I guess the Government will examine that issue. Overall I found it to be a terrific process and I look forward to it next year when I will probably ask some more valuable questions and learn more. I congratulate the chairpersons, especially the new members who did a terrific job. Question put and passed. MS GUISE (Deputy Speaker): I move - That the report of Estimates Committee B be adopted. I will make a number of quick comments about Estimates Committee B, but in doing so I will address a couple of issues. Members have already mentioned the difficulties that were experienced in the room in which Estimates
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Committee B was held. As I indicated earlier, that will be addressed. Some big-ticket items were assigned to the room, in particular planning and infrastructure, housing and works, and local government. The session on the Pilbara and Gascoyne was the only session that finished early. The session on education, which traditionally has a large number of advisers, and the session on health were also held in the room. I concede that the hearing on health was extremely difficult in the room due to the number of advisers and the interest of members and the media. We will need to address that next year. The member for Hillarys raised an issue about the time management of Estimates Committee A, which is also relevant to Estimates Committee B. There is some difficulty in assigning a particular amount of time to each division. Perhaps members of the committee might like to enter into some prior discussion to see whether a consensus position can be reached on the order of the divisions that will be taken next year. It is something to which we need to give some thought. A couple of divisions were not dealt with, and that is most unfortunate. However, that was not always the case. There was some agreement and movement about the order in which the divisions were taken. When that happened, there was a good result. Questions have also been raised about supplementary questions, which needs some discussion. The Acting Speakers agreed that it was appropriate to allow a line of questioning to ensue, so that members could develop the theme of a question. However, where that begins and ends is something that we must discuss. As the member for Greenough indicated, a questionable number of supplementary questions then ensued. It was appropriate to the theme, but it was hard to handle. We will have some discussion on that, because the standing orders are relatively silent on supplementary questions. It was appropriate to allow members to pursue a theme and everyone seemed to collaborate and cooperate, so I thank them very much. I had a great interest in the session on education. The minister was probably quite relieved that I was chairing the hearing rather than asking questions, because it is an area about which I am passionate. The Government has answered the questions. I am pleased to note that the middle school in Kinross is going ahead, as is the senior campus in Mindarie, which will be great news for the people in the northern suburbs. The $5.5 million each that has been allocated over four years for the East Marangaroo primary school and the Carramar primary school is also of great need. There is always a great challenge for any Minister for Education to meet the needs of areas of growth such as Wanneroo. I commend him for acknowledging our needs. The Government has also placed emphasis on providing additional support for teachers in the whole school community for additional programs to support literacy and numeracy in our children. Greater emphasis will also be placed on the profession of teaching. Work was started under the previous Government and I am glad to see the support of teacher registration. It is imperative that we improve the status of teaching. Teachers do a wonderful job and it is time they were acknowledged and respected once again in the community. Another area of interest was health. Chairing a large amount of the committee hearing highlighted to me the complexity of that portfolio. The issues that were raised were varied, but one point that came through was the mutual concern we all have for mental health. It seemed to dominate. Several questions were asked about general practitioner services and the pressure that is put on our public hospitals due to the shortage of doctors. However, I was interested to note that Professor Stokes commented that up to 70 per cent of people presenting at our public hospitals would qualify as GP patients. That was an interesting statistic. It highlighted the importance of a GP after-hours service, which is pertinent in the northern suburbs because areas north of Burns Beach Road have difficulty accessing a locum. The GP after-hours service is absolutely crucial, as was the discussion that came up in answer to a question about the Medicare provider numbers and how they are allocated. I encourage the minister to keep pursuing that issue with our federal colleagues, because Yanchep-Two Rocks is a classic example. It is designated an area of unmet need, but it continually struggles to find and maintain a permanent doctor service. I will also mention the issues surrounding mental health. The importance of early intervention is not to be underestimated. The support for young adolescents and older teenagers on youth suicide and other issues was raised again and again throughout the questions, as was support for young families; that is, support for the mums and dads as well as for the children, particularly in areas such as mine, whether it be money, marriage, children or family related. The support for the growing number of people in this State who are suffering from stress-related mental anguish is an area of great need. It is good to see that, through the budget process, the Government is putting in place programs that deal with not only the real issues of physical and mental need but also education and awareness programs for the broader community to support people. It is a subject that has always been shoved under the carpet somewhat. Anything we can do to bring it out in the open and address those needs will be welcome, particularly any support that we can offer our schools and schoolchildren. Anything that the school staff, the psychiatrists and the whole school support service team can do in interagency support is most welcome. I particularly wanted to speak about the time management issues, not only for the whole program but also in dealing with divisions, which were raised by the member for Hillarys and others. They are very relevant. On the point made by the member for Greenough, a fellow Acting Speaker, we need some discussion about supplementary questions. I thank the member for raising the issue.
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MS SUE WALKER (Nedlands) [8.07 pm]: I am not sure whether this is the right time to raise this issue, but I am told that it is. During the estimates committee hearings I asked for five supplementary items from the Attorney General, which I have not received. The first item was a breakdown of offences under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1985. The second was the moneys recovered from offenders and the process to recover them from the Crown Solicitor’s Office. The third was the process review that looked at ways in which that was undertaken, which is at page E431 on 27 September. The fourth item was the statistics to show that the District Court backlog is only 52 weeks, which is at page E446 on 27 September. The fifth item was for a copy of the structural review report from the Director of Public Prosecutions, which is at page E461. I have not received any of that information; therefore, I am not able to participate fully in the upcoming debate. Until I receive that information, the third reading should not proceed. MR OMODEI (Warren-Blackwood) [8.10 pm]: I have always understood that the Estimates Committees provide an opportunity for the Opposition to scrutinise the Government, and for all members to ask ministers questions and to raise concerns about their electorate or any matters, whether they be inside or outside the Chamber. On some occasions the estimates committee debate bordered on the farcical, to the extent that in one of the divisions, as the opposition spokesperson it took 35 minutes before I received the call from the Chair, and that Chair was you, Mr Acting Speaker (Mr McRae). I found that remarkable. I found also that the process of allocating questions in a rotational manner did not contribute to the debate in any way. In fact, it denied opposition members the opportunity to question the ministers on a certain theme or in such a way that they could draw out information. It would have been more sensible had the ministers welcomed questions and the opportunity to let the Parliament know how well they are handling their portfolio. In the eight years that I was a minister, I welcomed any questions from the Opposition, because it gave me the opportunity to tell members opposite how well I was handling my portfolio. Mr Barnett: You used to look forward to the Estimates Committees. Mr OMODEI: Yes. I distinctly remember that during one local government estimates debate when the Wanneroo royal commission was on, the member for Peel referred to a certain line in the budget and used that to discuss the Wanneroo royal commission, and no other local government matter was discussed in that estimates debate. However, that was the way that the Labor Party wanted to handle that situation. This year, particularly in committee A during the debate on the police and the environment portfolios, there was not enough time to scrutinise the budget. That can be contrasted with committee B and the debate on the regional development portfolio, particularly in the south west region, during which the Attorney General answered every question and seemed to relish the opportunity to answer every question, in concert with the chief executive officer of the South West Development Commission. Mr Barnett: Despite his misguided policies, he is actually across his portfolio. Mr OMODEI: I found it refreshing that the Attorney General was able to answer the questions; and if he could not answer the questions, he took them on notice or offered supplementary information. The chief executive officer was also in control of his responsibilities. That can be contrasted with the performance of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne, and with the chief executive officer of the Gascoyne Development Commission, who could not attend the estimates debate because he could not catch a plane. Despite the fact that some country members of the Opposition and some government members had to travel for three, four or five hours to get to this Parliament, that CEO could not get to the estimates debate because he could not catch a plane. I find that unacceptable. The parliamentary secretary could not answer some of the questions, and the chief executive officer could not attend, so a lot of questions were taken on notice. Mr McGowan: Was that because of the Ansett collapse? Mr OMODEI: Yes. I drove to the Parliament from Pemberton, for three and three-quarters of an hour, and he was in Geraldton - Mr McGowan: It was no-one’s fault. Mr OMODEI: He could have driven a car the same as anyone else. That is a flaw in the system, because the CEOs should be here; and whether they catch a plane or ride a bike, I do not care. The rotational question process must be addressed, because it just does not work. The ideal way to handle the estimates debate is to allow the opposition members to ask as many questions as they want and to exhaust the questions from the Opposition, and to then allow the backbench members to ask the questions that they want to ask. It should be borne in mind that the backbenchers can sidle up to the minister at any time, because they are in the same political party, and ask as many questions as they want. Mr McGowan: As can you. When you were a minister, I sidled up to you and asked you questions. Mr OMODEI: Yes, and I always responded. I do not think some ministers were too keen to answer questions. The Minister for Police was certainly reluctant to answer some questions. That might have been a political tactic by the Labor Party to obfuscate or give the minister some respite, or whatever. However, I believe that is a nonsense. If ministers have any problems in their portfolio, sooner or later someone will highlight them, either someone in the public or someone in the Parliament. I am suggesting that enough time should be given to important issues such as the
4368 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] environment, which was a major pre-election issue, and the police portfolio. In the current world crisis situation, the answer that we received from the Minister for Police was that Australia is not a target. That can be contrasted with the reports in today’s news and with the Premier’s comments about the anthrax issue. Mr McRae: There was some discussion about the potential social and economic issues, and as I recall there was some reluctance to discuss the measures that were being taken because that might reveal the operational nature of that action. Mr OMODEI: I think the member will recall that I acknowledged that when I talked to the Commissioner of Police about what preparations had been made for not necessarily a terrorist attack, because I would not expect a terrorist attack in downtown Perth, but for a copycat-type situation in which people who are psychotic or have some problems do exactly what has been happening in the past 24 to 48 hours. Despite the fact that we are not ministers of the Government, as opposition members we have received a lot of messages and telephone calls about water supplies and other matters. People want to know where they will get their drinking water the day after tomorrow, because they can go without a drink of water tomorrow, but what will they do the day after tomorrow if the water supply in metropolitan Perth is affected by some stupid act? Those sorts of questions should be answered in this place. However, we did not have enough time to do that, mainly because of the rotational question situation. I know I am harping on that point, but I have always thought that the convention in this place is that the first person who catches the eye of the Chair or the Speaker is the person who is given the call, and that the convention in the estimates committee debate is that the Opposition is given the running first, for a reasonable amount of time, and the government backbenchers can then ask questions if they deem it necessary. Please correct me if I am wrong. I believe that convention should be reinstated. Mr McGinty: It has never applied in the past. Mr OMODEI: I have just been singing the Attorney General’s praises because of the way the debate was handled for the South West Development Commission. Mr McGinty: Sorry about that! I retract that comment! Mr OMODEI: I said that I thought the Attorney General seemed to relish the opportunity to answer questions, but that did not seem to be the case with other ministers. Mr McGinty: I am sorry I did not hear that. Mr OMODEI: I do not think any minister should fear any question from an Opposition. If ministers do not know the answer to a question, they should take it on notice or ask the member to put it on notice, or provide an answer by way of supplementary information. The opportunity should be given for the Opposition to scrutinise the budget. That is what the estimates committee process is all about. Of course every member of Parliament should have an opportunity to question a minister; and if a member cannot get an answer from a minister about a delicate or controversial subject, then something is wrong with the relationship between the member and the minister. The estimates committee debate is an important part of the parliamentary process, but it should be run in such a way that the maximum amount of information can be extracted for the general public’s consumption. MR McRAE (Riverton) [8.19 pm]: I want to comment on the process as well as some of the content of the estimates committee hearings. When I was in the Chair during the past hour and a bit, I listened to some of the comments about process. As a new member of this House, and certainly a new acting chairperson, it is probably important that I put on record my approach to my role as a chairperson of committees, and reflect on the discussions held in the Speaker’s chamber, in the week prior to the Estimates Committees, with all Acting Speakers who were to act as chairpersons of committees, about how to manage what, in the end, is always a contentious and tension-filled time, when the Opposition attempts to illicit as much information as possible. I understand that there have always been complaints from Oppositions about whether the process was fair. I will make a couple of comments about my experience of the process. Firstly, on Tuesday, the first day of committee hearings, I was the chair of Estimates Committee A, which was examining the Premier’s portfolio interests. The experience of being what I can only describe as screamed at, told that I was a disgrace and that the whole thing was a - Mr Omodei: You performed very poorly as a chairman, member for Riverton. You were the worst of all the chairmen. Mr Johnson: You ruled one of my questions out of order because the Premier was getting embarrassed. It was a genuine question that related to the estimates that we were looking at. However, you wanted to protect the Premier, so you ruled my question out of order. It was disgraceful, quite frankly, and I have never seen it happen before. Mr McRAE: It does not seem as though members opposite have learnt a thing since that time. I did not stand tonight to get into a barney with members opposite about these matters. I just wanted to discuss, in a rational and open way, how I approached my role and went about employing myself in it. Having been screamed at and accused of being a disgrace, I think it is appropriate that I put a number of comments on the record. I will quote them so that all members will hear them. On Tuesday, 25 September, after I had ruled one of my government colleagues out of order, and was still accused of being a disgrace, I am recorded as saying at page E24 of Hansard -
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For the benefit of members, I place on the record that the Chairmen of Estimates Committees met last week to discuss the procedures that would be followed during the course of the Estimates Committee hearings. It was agreed on a bipartisan basis that members would have equal status, and that our task was not to keep members to time and get them through all the divisions before the committee this morning or in any other allocated period, but to allow a distribution of questions from members on either side, as represented in the committee hearings. That was a bipartisan agreement. Mr Omodei: If that was the case, why did it take you 34 minutes to give me, as shadow spokesman for police, the call? Mr McRAE: I will come to the member’s concern. However, I want to explain where that agreement left new committee chairs in applying the sorts of protocols and understandings of process that were given to us by way of explanation and guidance in the week before. As I understood the advice from the Clerks and members of the House - indeed, I did not speak to only government members - the chair of a committee had a choice of how to give the call. That could be by giving the call to the first person in line of sight, or, if that became difficult in the committee process, as it sometimes did, the suggestion was that committee chairs might create a call list, and allow each member to indicate that he or she was ready to take the call and to be placed on a list that would enable that to occur. Mr Barnett: Who do you think is competent to make a bipartisan agreement? Mr McRAE: I believe that the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and the Acting Speakers from both sides of Parliament, in open discussion, are able to raise concerns about process. Mr Barnett: I am not talking about process. The only people in this Chamber who are competent to make a bipartisan agreement are the leader of government business and the leader of opposition business. Mr McRAE: I do not have a problem with a moment of reflection after this exercise, whereby we get together and have that discussion. I am talking about the procedure for informing new Acting Speakers, what their understanding should be, and what role they should perform. If there is to be an amendment to that, I am open to it. I do not have a problem with it. Mr Omodei: Surely, you must acknowledge that you allowed 35 minutes to pass, and you called everybody else before me, as the shadow spokesman for police and emergency services, and the former Minister for Police. Doesn’t that beg the question that you were trying to politicise the process? Mr McRAE: I said I would get to the member for Warren-Blackwood’s concern in a moment, and I will. Firstly, I am trying to respond to the - Mr Omodei: Maybe you should refer to the debate. Mr McRAE: I have it here in front of me, and I remember very well the concerns the member raised. However, I want to respond to the Leader of the Opposition. It is absolutely appropriate that people who have been around this place longer than I have should get together to discuss whether other protocols should be put in place. Mr Barnett: It is not a matter of experience. The only two people in this Parliament who should negotiate that are the leader of government business and the leader of opposition business. They are the two people who determine any agreement. Mr McRAE: I do not think that is right. My view is that everybody should have some input into that process. Mr Barnett: Clearly, the Speaker can have a view on the way things operate. You were talking about a bipartisan agreement across this Chamber. Only two people can determine that. Mr McRAE: Maybe I should characterise it as a bipartisan discussion. Perhaps that would be more appropriate. Mr Barnett: It was a discussion involving members who would chair committees; that is all. Mr McRAE: I am not rejecting the Leader of the Opposition’s point; I am just saying what was the bipartisan discussion that informed my approach to the job the week before the Estimates Committees. I refer to the member for Warren-Blackwood’s and the member for Hillarys’ objections and continuing dissatisfaction. I say to the member for Warren-Blackwood that I took the Chair on the hour, according to the roster for the changeover of the chairpersons of committees. When I sat down, there was already a full list of speakers. I am sorry I did not keep my notes from that session, because I put the member for Warren-Blackwood further up the list than would have otherwise been the case. I tried to give balance and recognition, but within the overriding principle that every member of a committee has an equal right to ask a question. If we are to move away from that principle, more members than just the Leader of the House and the leader of opposition business should be involved, because a fundamental principle is at stake here, which is that all members who appear and present themselves as members of a committee can participate. Indeed, as a member of this Chamber, I sat in on a committee process, and one opposition member called a point of order and suggested that I was not even entitled to ask a question because I was not a member of the committee. That was an extraordinary approach to take, given that
4370 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] the basic principle is that every member is entitled to an equal role and equal participation in the Estimates Committees. It is an important principle that should be retained. Mr Omodei: You should look at page E196, because you are misleading the Parliament. You were the chairman throughout those estimates committee debates. You came in at nine o’clock. Mr McRAE: That is right. Mr Omodei: You said that there was already a list of four or five people; there was not. Mr McRAE: We are running out of time. I said that I came in - Mr Johnson: You were there at the beginning. You were there at nine o’clock. It did not start at eight o’clock. Mr McRAE: The member for Warren-Blackwood got the first call. Mr Omodei: No, I did not. That was in emergency services. Mr McRAE: I came in at nine o’clock. Mr Omodei: I was talking about the police debate, which is a separate division. It is division 48. Mr McRAE: The member might be able to find an error. At the moment, I do not understand from where he got that. I will look at it later. Mr Omodei: It is page E202, and the debate in which I objected is at page E205. Mr McRAE: I agree with members opposite that there probably needs to be some refinement of defining lines of questioning for supplementary questions. I believe there is a degree of confusion in the use of the term “supplementary questions” when we also understand that is taken to be a request for supplementary information. I want to touch briefly on green folders. On environment, the Swan River Trust, training, education, justice and indigenous affairs, I asked at least one question that was not on the Government’s list of questions that we wanted raised. Many members did the same. It is a bit cute and a bit of a nonsense in some ways for members opposite to say that members of the government backbench are not vitally interested in key areas of reform and initiative in the Government’s agenda. To suggest that those questions were framed in the absence of government thinking totally misses the point. That might have been how the coalition Government was run, but as far as I am concerned from my involvement to date, it is not how our Government is run. I am quite comfortable with the process of exploring, exposing and advocating the Government’s initiatives and reforms. I found a couple of areas of my questioning particularly useful. The first relates to the Canning River Regional Park in my electorate, which borders on Shelley, part of Ferndale and part of Riverton. The capacity for the Minister for the Environment to talk about those matters of interest to me showed the capacity for any member of Parliament to raise local issues. I was very appreciative of the opportunity to raise those matters with her. The second area of concern related to some work that I am doing with the Economics and Industry Standing Committee. The Minister for the Environment was able to elaborate on the Government’s moves on pollution control and abatement. That has a particular relevance to the committee’s current Bellevue inquiry, which I hope will be reported to the House before the end of the year. MR JOHNSON (Hillarys) [8.32 pm]: I had not intended to speak in this debate on Estimates Committee B. However, the comments I have heard so far have forced me to speak. First of all, I compliment you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I believe that you did an excellent job when you were in the Chair, and so did most of the Deputy Chairmen of committees. You were fair and gave ample opportunity to both sides of the House to ask questions. I would love to be able to say the same about the member for Riverton, but I am afraid I cannot because I would be telling porky pies. I thought the way that the member for Riverton acted as Chairman was disgraceful. It is the worst I have seen in the nine years that I have been here. I have had the privilege of being in your position, Madam Deputy Speaker. I was an Acting Speaker for four years and then the Deputy Speaker for something like six months before I became the Cabinet Secretary, so I have a fair bit of experience of not only being in the Chair in this Chamber but also in the Chair of estimates committees. I tried to do the job as fairly as possible. The practice I have seen in this House in committee A and committee B - I have chaired both - is that normally one would give a little leeway to the Opposition, particularly the spokesperson for a particular division that was being considered. That did not happen, certainly in committee A when I was acting as the spokesperson for citizenship and multicultural interests. In fact, the member for Riverton, as Chairman, ruled a question out of order after quite a bit of debate. The Premier took over the portfolio of citizenship and multicultural interests. He espoused that it is such an important portfolio that when he became Premier he would take it into his area of portfolio responsibilities. I wanted to know why the budget had been cut. It took a long time to try to elicit an answer. The Premier tried to tell me that the money had gone into the area of citizenship. I knew where the money had gone, but it had not been increased. The money for multicultural issues had decreased.
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The DEPUTY SPEAKER: I am having difficulty hearing the member. Members will desist from conversation in the Chamber. Mr JOHNSON: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The other question I thought was very important was the question to the Premier on how many multicultural functions he had been invited to, how many he had attended and how many he had sent representatives to. I said that I had attended quite a few and that I had not seen him at many. His representatives had attended, which is fine. I always said that the Premier is too busy to hold that portfolio because it is probably one of the busiest portfolios for functions and meetings. Mr McRae: I still do not understand how this is a budget matter. Mr JOHNSON: I will explain. The member has been here for only five minutes and thinks he knows everything. It is a criticism that many of my colleagues make of him. If he wants to earn some respect in this place, he must listen more and interject less. Tweedledum and Tweedle Dumber have more conversations in this Parliament by way of interjection than most members would have in 20 years. Mr Hyde: Tell us something sensible. Mr JOHNSON: Tweedledum and Tweedle Dumber are doing it again. That is where they get their nicknames from. The member for Perth should listen. I did not say too much when I came into this place but listened and learned for six months. That is something that I recommend the member for Perth and his colleagues do. Points of Order Ms QUIRK: I understand we are addressing the work of committee B. The Premier’s portfolio came under committee A. Mr JOHNSON: I am trying to draw a comparison between the chairmanship of committee A and that of committee B. I am paying some compliments to you, Madam Deputy Speaker. If the Government Whip is so nervous about our criticising the Premier or drawing attention to his lack of commitment to that area, it is a pretty poor show. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is no point of order. I am sure the member for Hillarys was making some comparisons and drawing his comments to a conclusion. Debate Resumed Mr JOHNSON: The point I was making was that the member for Riverton ruled that issue out of order. He said that it did not come within the budget. I am sorry, but there is a general implication for the budget from the Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interests attending functions and carrying out the duties of that portfolio. It was a genuine question. Mr McRae: It still is not. Mr JOHNSON: Of course it is, for goodness sake. We allowed the Opposition thousands of questions that had nothing to do with the budget estimates, when it was in Opposition for eight long years. Our chairmen of committees were pretty fair, as are most of the present ones, except for the member for Riverton. Point of Order Mr McGOWAN: I have been examining standing orders. I have not been able to find a reference to this point of order, but my recollection of standing orders is that one should not reflect upon the ruling of a Speaker or a chairperson, whether it be made in the Estimates Committee or in the House. I have heard speaker after speaker reflect upon some of the chairpersons and the job they have done. There are appropriate forums in which they can take up those criticisms outside this debate. The way opposition members are behaving towards chairpersons or Acting Speakers is inappropriate in this forum. Maybe the member for Hillarys should approach the Speaker outside this debate. I believe it is highly inappropriate to do it in this way. The DEPUTY SPEAKER: There are rules for dealing with and addressing a person’s role in this case. However, in this instance the member for Hillarys was responding to an issue that was raised by the member for Rockingham. I have allowed a reasonable amount of latitude. However, I ask the member for Hillarys to address himself to committee B as that latitude has run out. Debate Resumed Mr JOHNSON: I was just about to do that when the member for Rockingham made a point of order. I will give the Government a bouquet or two. The Attorney General did not hear the member for Kingsley say that he had done a reasonable job in committee B because he answered members’ questions. Committee B was pretty fair. It was a well run committee - certainly when I was there. The Attorney General and Minister for Justice answered the questions that
4372 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] were put to him. There were very few questions that required the provision of supplementary information, and I certainly got the supplementary information that I asked for. Mr McGinty: I think everyone did. Mr JOHNSON: I cannot speak for other people. As the Leader of the Opposition said, the Attorney General did very well and I compliment him. On the whole, the Attorney General did not need to ask his advisers for too much information. The Attorney General has been around this place for some time, and he knows how things work. He is a fairly competent minister. He very rarely has to read answers to the questions that he gets. Mr McGinty: I rarely get asked any. Mr JOHNSON: The Attorney General will be asked questions in time. We are working up to it. There are a few problems looming on which I will be asking questions in the very near future. I found that in the area of justice and the associated portfolios under the Attorney General, committee B was worthwhile. All the questions that needed to be answered were answered. Most questions were answered on the day. Certainly Madam Deputy Speaker, when you were in the Chair, you gave a fair proportion of the questions to opposition members. The role of the committee chairmen is to try to ensure that both sides get a fair number of questions. Government backbenchers do want to ask questions. My experience is that they do not have many questions, and they often have to fish through the budget papers to find a question to ask, so that the Opposition does not get to ask so many questions. We all know what the game is, and it has been going on for years - certainly before I came into this place. Let us be honest about it. It is important that the Opposition has as much, if not more, opportunity to ask questions of the Executive Government. One of the best opportunities is in question time and also the budget estimates. I hope that some lessons have been learnt from this year and that those chairmen of committees will remember them next year. The only chairman this year who had any experience was the member for Carine. Even you, Madam Deputy Speaker, did not have any previous experience of being a Chairman of the Estimates Committee, but you did a good job. You were very fair and your bipartisan approach ensured that opposition members were able to ask questions. MR BARNETT (Cottesloe - Leader of the Opposition) [8.45 pm]: During the 10 years that I have been a member of this Parliament, the convention during estimates committees has been to provide an opportunity primarily for the opposition spokesperson to challenge the minister and to ask questions. There is no doubt that a competent minister will relish that opportunity. The member for Darling Range referred to government backbenchers running around with little green folders. I found that extraordinary and a humiliating exercise for them. It did not reflect well on elected members of state Parliament to be running around with little green folders containing set questions. Backbenchers may indicate that they are participating in the estimates committee and offer to raise any issues that ministers may want raised. We have all done that, but to distribute preset questions was humiliating for the Government. That point has been made. As has been the case in the past, it should be the convention in the estimates committees that the first half dozen questions or so be asked by the opposition spokesperson. If spokespersons are across their portfolios, they will have pertinent, well thought out questions, which ministers either answer or agree to provide answers to as supplementary information. That scenario should flow. It should not involve politicking; it should be a question and answer session. Progressively, other members should participate, including government backbenchers. It was ludicrous to see that preset rotational system in place. It reflected poorly on this Parliament, on the accountability process of the estimates committee and on the ministers concerned. It looked to me as an observer of many estimates committees that ministers were not confident or competent in their portfolios. Mr Kucera: Rubbish. Mr BARNETT: The Minister for Health was probably one of the worst offenders because he failed to satisfactorily answer any question asked of him on health. Mr Kucera: You referred to opposition members asking well thought out questions. Had that happened - Mr BARNETT: We will detail the minister’s inability. Of all the ministers, the Minister for Justice gave some of the best responses to questions. However, it was the consensus among opposition members that without doubt the Minister for Health responded the most poorly to questions of detail on his portfolio. We will go through the health issues one by one tomorrow because he failed to answer questions satisfactorily. The bumbling, fumbling Treasurer did a good job in Estimates Committee A and responded to questions. It is not difficult to do so, and it is a great opportunity for ministers to display their knowledge and to gauge the strengths and weaknesses of the Opposition. However, we found a contrivance by the Government to limit debate on something ministers should relish. They should relish the opportunity to talk about their portfolios and what they have achieved in the budget process. However, the committees were confronted with government members running around with little green folders to stop debate. The member for Swan Hills may laugh, but that behaviour has not happened in this Parliament in 10 years. She is a new member. Ms Radisich: I did not have a green folder. Mr BARNETT: Good on the member for Swan Hills if she did not. Members who ran around with little green folders looked ridiculous.
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This is a place for members of Parliament. On some occasions too many advisers were allowed into the Chamber. I will concede that that happened during the coalition Government’s term. When advisers are here, they should sit near the minister to assist the minister. They should not be scattered around the Chamber as occurred at least on one occasion that I observed. That was unacceptable. The Leader of the House and ministers, especially if they are inexperienced, must respect this Parliament and ensure that advisers are in here as guests of Parliament to assist the minister. They should not have the run of the Chamber. That is inappropriate and disrespectful to the Parliament. Mr Kucera: We had the same number of advisers as your minister last year. Mr BARNETT: I think there are often too many. I am not saying the minister was guilty of that, but advisers should not be scattered around the Chamber. Government advisers and perhaps even staff of ministerial officers sat directly behind opposition members during an estimates committee. It was totally inappropriate. Although it was a minor event, it should not have happened in this Chamber. I want to make a serious point about the conduct and planning of the estimates committee process, for which I had the responsibility for eight years in government. I believe we made some improvements. It was not a perfect process and I know that further changes were made this year in the name of improvements. It is still not perfect. Having watched estimates committees for some time, I must say that I am unconvinced that the process of having two estimates committees works. There might be a difference of opinion about that, which Parliament must think about. There is merit, and I believe it is desirable, to have an Estimates Committee of the Whole for a week dealing with the major portfolios of health, education, justice and other major portfolios, which would allow all members of Parliament the opportunity and time to ask questions. Estimates committees could be run for two weeks but the Government would probably object to that. However, it would be ideal to run them for two weeks as a Committee of the Whole or a full week of major portfolios and a second week of the smaller portfolios - for example, sport and recreation - in which only a few members might participate. That second week could be run concurrently with the normal business of the House. I do not believe, in a House of 57 members, that a dual system of estimates committees works. There were times, probably even for government backbenchers, when members were participating in one estimates committee but were interested in the other one. That process must be reconsidered. The ideal process would be to have an estimates committee for two weeks as a Committee of the Whole. The Government probably would not want to give up two weeks for that. However, we could have one full week from Monday to Friday, and then another week with the smaller more specialist portfolios run on a dual basis with the House carrying on its normal business. That is very doable, which would then allow, with rare exceptions, all members to participate in the estimates committees they want to participate in. There have been some improvements to the estimates committee process. I compliment the Clerk and his staff. They worked hard to make it work as well as it could. However, there is a fundamental issue and from my observations of nine years of estimates committees, dual committees do not work in a Chamber of 57 members. MR D’ORAZIO (Ballajura) [8.52 pm]: As one of the new members of this Parliament, I compliment the estimates committee process. For someone new to this Parliament who does not understand exactly how it works, the estimates process was a real eye-opener for me. I was involved in the process on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. I had no notes and no green folder - I do not know what members opposite were talking about. Even opposition members would know that the discussions that occurred on Wednesday and Thursday at those committees were constructive. I left the committee believing that it was a great thing that Opposition and Government members targeted issues rather than scored political points. I thought that the division on regional development, which finished two hours early, and the division on health on Thursday had a general consensus on both sides in that members asked questions on issues. The member for Murray-Wellington was present when a deal of discussion took place, about which I was very impressed. It took me an hour and 25 minutes to ask a question when you, Madam Deputy Speaker, were in the Chair. That was disgusting but I will forgive you for that! However, there were so many issues in the health portfolio that the questions could have gone on for another day. There were many questions that I was unable to ask. I was impressed, despite minor political point scoring by the members for Kalgoorlie and Murdoch, that members understood from where they were coming and targeted the issues. Some of the issues were far bigger than the politics in this Chamber because they were about delivering services to the community. Even in the regional development division it was great to see members opposite asking questions that highlighted some of the great initiatives that have occurred in this State. I tell members that I did not know that some of these initiatives existed. I was rapt that I could go into a session like that and come out with some knowledge of what is going on in this State. I believe it was a great process. The process on the Monday or Tuesday probably was not as good but that was due to faults on both sides of Parliament. Mr Omodei: Don’t your ministers talk to you guys? Mr D’ORAZIO: Absolutely. I recall leaving the committee on Thursday feeling exhausted after completion of the large health portfolio. I had only asked some questions. I hate to think how the minister felt after he had been grilled for such a long time. I congratulate the minister. He did a fantastic job given the range of different issues addressed. Some were of particular interest to me; for example, visiting medical officers. One of the terms of reference of a parliamentary inquiry refers to that issue, so I was eager to obtain as much information as possible. Members opposite were keen to address specific issues and we all had a go at getting answers.
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Mr Omodei: I had a few questions you could have asked for me. Mr D’ORAZIO: I had a long list of questions in the health area, but I asked only three. Members cannot complain about not having the opportunity to get the information they wanted. Several members interjected. Mr D’ORAZIO: The member should be honest. Mr Johnson: I am. I had great difficulty with the Premier. Mr D’ORAZIO: We finished two hours early on Wednesday. We had no more questions to ask the Leader of the House. Mr Johnson: That happened when we were in government. Mr D’ORAZIO: I do not want to keep answering interjections. I thank the ministers and the departmental heads. Some of them were given short notice of very difficult issues, but they handled the situation well. They gave members of Parliament an insight into a number of issues that would not be available in day-to-day dealings in our electorates. I was happy to learn that Morley is to have a dental clinic. That is great news; it will be a great benefit to the region. It was even better to hear that it will be located on the Morley High School site. I was also happy to learn that bus shelters have been included in the works program. My senior citizens want bus shelters. Members opposite removed them, but this Government will put them back. Several members interjected. Mr D’ORAZIO: Absolutely! I again thank the ministers involved. I also thank members opposite. Some of their questions enhanced the discussion. As a new member, it was great to be part of the estimates process. Next year I will be even better prepared and, as a result, I will get even more out of it. MR TEMPLEMAN (Mandurah) [8.58 pm]: I also congratulate the chairmen and the parliamentary staff. I will not discuss the process; that has been well debated tonight. However, I will make some comments about a couple of issues discussed in Estimates Committee B, particularly those relating to education. I congratulate the Minister for Education for his answers to a number of questions about teacher incentives and the Government’s investigation of scholarships to encourage teachers to go to those areas that have in the past been difficult to staff. That is very important. Our future teaching work force was also mentioned. That is an important issue. Our teaching work force is very experienced. That is wonderful, but we must think about the future. The average age of our current work force is increasing. We must consider new ways to encourage new graduates to become teachers and to provide an excellent education for our young people. We must also develop strategies to encourage more men to enter our primary teaching work force in particular. It is important that we have that role-model aspect in our schools. Unfortunately, many primary school students will never have a male primary school teacher in their seven years of schooling. That is unfortunate because we need to ensure students have those opportunities. I also support, as the minister indicated, looking at ways of encouraging more male teachers into our primary schools. I also make a brief comment about the Peel region. Some specific issues were raised in the estimates committee hearing about the Peel region. I commend the Minister for Peel because he made some very important comments about the Peel region and Mandurah, particularly about the issues that face the people in that area, such as the high unemployment rate among young people. He also acknowledged that the development commission will refocus on the social indicators, which show some challenges and stresses. I am pleased that during his visit, the Minister for Peel widely canvassed issues with many stakeholders in the community of Mandurah. He has addressed those issues and is well aware of them. He is also aware that we will need to fight hard for funding in the Peel region and in Mandurah in the future, so that some of the challenges that were mentioned during the committee hearings will be addressed. I was excited to be part of the estimates committee process. I compliment all those involved. As the member who just spoke mentioned, I look forward to being prepared and well versed for the committee hearings next year. Question put and passed.
APPROPRIATION (CONSOLIDATED FUND) BILL (NO. 1) 2001 Third Reading MR RIPPER (Belmont - Treasurer) [9.02 pm]: I move - That the Bill be now read a third time.
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MR MARSHALL (Dawesville) [9.02 pm]: I am extremely concerned that the limitations in this budget will not allow extra moneys to be given to the Department of Conservation and Land Management to counter the tuart tree destruction around Lake Preston, Lake Clifton, Dawesville and throughout the Yalgorup National Park. The Minister for the Environment is aware of the devastation, but she is hamstrung by CALM and its lack of resources and ability to solve the problem of dying trees and the loss of our tuart heritage. I am simply amazed that after four years, CALM can come up with only suggestions for why the trees are dying, not a remedy. To give members an idea, I will quote some of the main points that CALM has come up with after four years of research. The first is that the decline is due to a natural pest of the tuart, which has increased significantly in numbers and damage. Secondly, the primary cause is likely to be environmental changes through climate or clearing. Thirdly, the department has several ideas on what might be happening, but does not know definitely. Fourthly, the department has some ideas on how to respond but needs to progress carefully and monitor the results. Finally, the regeneration of the national park to maintain tuart forest woodland is likely to require significant works. That is the result of four years work. How would people from CALM go applying for the position of coach of the Fremantle Dockers or the West Coast Eagles, having to go through nine hours to get the job and then giving a report like that? That report is an absolute disgrace! There is not one suggestion on what CALM should do to beat the disease. If roses get aphids, what do people do? They spray to save the roses. If someone gets cancer, what does that person do? He or she would probably have chemotherapy. In fact, that person will do anything to stay alive. The Department of Conservation and Land Management appears to have watched these magnificent trees die without applying a remedy. Parts of the Yalgorup National Park look like a graveyard. Tuart trees that are between 100 and 150 years old and are up to 60 feet tall are dying or are already dead. These trees are the champions of the forests. They are the all-time greats; they have survived drought, storms, fire and the test of time. I am emotionally disturbed that our so-called bureaucratic experts are not smart enough to come up with a solution to the disease. In 1997, departmental officers noticed a marked decline in the health of the tuarts - a great observation! Since then, borers, frost, competition for water with peppermint trees, a lack of controlled burning and severe insect attacks have been blamed for the destruction. The devastation continues to sprawl northwards. The devastation to the trees can be seen along the roadside, on private property, from roadhouses, in caravan parks and the Yalgorup National Park. The dead trees have become traffic and fire hazards. The road entrance to the south west looks like Death Valley. The ecosystem has been destroyed. CALM has lost the confidence and respect of many people living around the Lake Clifton and Dawesville areas. These people want action. How do they get action? The ACTING SPEAKER (Mrs Hodson-Thomas): I remind the member for Dawesville to speak to the budget. Mr MARSHALL: I am speaking to the budget as I am talking about a lack of resources in the environmental protection areas of the budget. I have already discussed it with the minister. It is very important that I carry on in that vein. I will refer to the budget as I build up momentum. The ACTING SPEAKER: I will extend the member some latitude but I remind him that we are dealing with the third reading of the Bill. Mr MARSHALL: The lack of funding in this budget is an important issue. How do local people get any action on this issue? The problem of the lack of resources came to a head last week in Mandurah. We desperately wanted a comment from CALM personnel. I discovered that the head of CALM in Mandurah was on stress leave. His second in command was away on three weeks holiday - it coincided with the school holidays. The number one ranger for the area was on long service leave and the assistant ranger for the area was on a rostered Sunday and Monday two-day holiday. No-one from CALM in Mandurah could be contacted for advice. It is wrong. I rang the regional leader of CALM on Sunday morning to find out what could be done. To his great credit he rang me at 5.10 pm on Monday. It took him all Monday to call me back. That is the same person who did not visit Mandurah during the two-week parliamentary recess to look at the dying tuart trees, as he promised he would. People would not stand for that level of service in private enterprise. It is hard to blame individuals. The office and the department are under-resourced. The Yalgorup National Park ranger has to control 100 square kilometres of national park, sand dunes and beaches. It is impossible for one man to do the job properly. Members should read the dot points in the budget that CALM believes justifies the forests turning into Death Valley over the past four years. It believes that the department, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, the Shires of Harvey and Waroona and the City of Mandurah, is continuing to monitor the decline. Good work! It is researching the causes and possible responses and consulting and involving the public. Good work! It is providing advice to private landowners on management of the affected tuart. It is planning remedial action - that is a good one! It is establishing and monitoring field trials. There is no suggestion that the trials and experiments are for the eradication of the problem. CALM believes that regeneration of the Yalgorup National Park to maintain the tuart forest for woodland is likely to require significant work. Let us put up the money to see something significant happen. The local residents are prepared to experiment if told what to do. One local resident is prepared to burn off his block. Another local resident is prepared to inject every individual tree on his block if told how to do it. The community is ready to go, but where are the CALM scientists to help those people?
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I appeal to the minister to give CALM more money and specialised staff to enable it to deal with the environmental tragedy of the so-called larvae borers. They are travelling north at a scary speed. They have come up the coast. They are in Dawesville, they have just been spotted on the Mandurah bypass and on the Mandurah golf course, and they are in Baldivis; and members should not be surprised if they appear at the Bold Hill reserve. In mentioning the Bold Hill reserve, today, 16 October, we have the opportunity to make a bold decision. We want the minister to find in this budget, which lacks the resources to provide for things that crop up when we least expect them, the money that is needed to save the tuart heritage of the Dawesville and south coast electorate. The ACTING SPEAKER (Mrs Hodson-Thomas): I remind members that we are dealing with the third reading, and the debate should be relevant and specific to the budget. We are dealing only with matters that are in the budget papers. MS SUE WALKER (Nedlands) [9.11 pm]: I refer to page E503 of Estimates Committee A and to the $5 million state government rescue package that was allegedly designed to assist tourism operators affected by the collapse of Ansett Australia Ltd and Skywest Airlines Pty Ltd on 14 September this year. In that Estimates Committee I asked the Minister for Tourism about the distribution of those funds. I suggest now - and it is a truism - that those funds are being used as seed funds to obtain money for an already cash-strapped industry. In the budget estimates process it was clear under questioning that not much of that $5 million dollars had been allocated for the immediate short-term period of two to eight weeks. As the minister said, it is too early to allocate the full amount. I ran through what was allegedly being allocated; namely, $50 000 for an interstate radio campaign; $150 000 for an interstate industry catalogue; $155 000 for an interstate television advertising campaign; $250 000 for a national print campaign, although I am told that is on hold; and $500 000, or an allocation of up to $50 000 each, to 10 regional tourism associations, but I suggest that that money has not been allocated yet. That totals $1.155 million. Of that $1.155 million of the $5 million industry rescue package, $250 000 has been held up, and $500 000 has not yet been assigned to the regions. That is a total of $750 000 out of that $1.155 million, which leaves at most a total of $355 000 that this Government, as of 28 September, has outlayed of that $5 million rescue package. That is for an industry that is still in crisis. I want to give the Chamber a position on the impact of the Ansett crisis on Western Australian tourism prepared by Jack Carlsen of Edith Cowan University in late September this year and distributed on 5 October by the Western Australian branch of the Tourism Council Australia. The summary and conclusions in that report were prepared using the published data from the WA Tourism Commission, the Bureau of Tourism Research and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The university showed that the macro economic impact of the Ansett crisis over the next 12 months in Western Australia has been estimated as follows: the direct impact on interstate tourism is in the order of $150 million per annum or about $2.9 million per week. The direct impact on international tourism is $135 million per annum, or about $2.6 million per week. The total direct impact is in the order of $285 million per annum or about $5.5 million per week. The total economic impact, including the multiplier, is about $325 million per annum or $6.25 million per week. Annually, 2 800 jobs in tourism will be lost; that is, 54 jobs lost per week. Last Friday, I received a letter from the Kununurra Country Club Hotel. Ten permanent staff had been laid off from the four and a half star hotel in the small town of Kununurra. That is an example of the jobs that have been lost. A brief survey indicates the following impact on business: 62 per cent of businesses depend on domestic tourism and 31 per cent depend on international tourism. Eighty per cent of businesses have reported a decline in bookings, occupancy rates, sales and delegate numbers since the crisis began. On average, bookings, occupancy rates, sales and delegate numbers have fallen by 26 per cent since the Ansett crisis commenced. Seventy-two per cent of the sample have reported lost revenue since the Ansett crisis commenced. Losses ranged from $150 000 to $250 000 depending on the type of business. The median loss in revenue was $2 910 per week per business. Seventeen per cent of businesses reported a decrease in staffing levels due to the Ansett crisis. The average decrease in staffing was 21 per cent. The Perth Convention Bureau indicated the overall impact on meetings and conventions for specific sectors. Of the 68 meetings in the Perth central business calendar to December, six meetings have been cancelled and two meetings have been postponed. That resulted in a loss of 6 487 delegates, 35 678 room nights and $13.6 million in direct delegate expenditure. This will lead to 128 job losses in the meeting and convention sector in the next three months. I read that to demonstrate the impact of that crisis on tourism in Australia. I will demonstrate that this government has shown a complete lack of leadership in the face of the tourism crisis in this State. Firstly, as yet, not even $500 000 has been spent of the $5 million rescue package. Secondly, there is a lack of any strategy or policy for the Kimberley region in particular, which is disappearing into oblivion. Ms MacTiernan: That is completely untrue. Ms SUE WALKER: The member for Mt Lawley should just listen. Bernie Wheiwell visited my office. He is desperately concerned about the tourism industry in the Kimberley. He is a big wholesaler and runs a holiday business in Broome and the Kimberley called Broome and the Kimberley Holidays. As I said, on Friday I received a letter from the Kununurra Country Club Hotel. The letter, which is dated 12 October, states -
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Dear Miss Walker, What steps are the State Government taking to get reliable air transport back into the east Kimberley? How much longer will Air North be servicing Darwin, Broome and Kununurra? The tourism industry has incurred huge losses due to the collapse of Ansett in this area. This hotel alone has had a loss of over $100,000.00 in accommodation for September. This does not even factor in our losses on Food and Beverage sales. What steps is the Government taking to help maintain a viable tourism industry? Lastly, who is the Minister for Tourism? Do we have one? Why is he/she maintaining such a low profile in the tourism industrys hour of need? I received that letter last Friday from Kununurra, in the Kimberley region. The ACTING SPEAKER (Mrs Hodson-Thomas): I call the member back to the budget. Ms SUE WALKER: I am speaking about the $5 million rescue package and the lack of funds provided to the Kimberley region. The owners of the hotel told me that they had lost $35 000 from the Ansett crisis. The hotel lost $30 000 in advance bookings and $100 000 was lost for September and $100 000 was lost for October. I have been able to obtain an accurate picture of the position in the Kimberley region. Before I refer to the current position, I will refer to the Minister for Tourism’s press release that involved the two key marketing initiatives following the announcement of extra state government funding for tourism. He said, first, that a major intrastate marketing campaign aimed at encouraging Western Australians to holiday at home would begin the following day. The campaign would include new radio and newspaper advertisements in the metropolitan and regional areas. Secondly, regional tourism associations throughout Western Australia would be eligible for up to $50 000 for additional approved advertising activities over the next 12 months. I will deal with the catalogue and its success. In the Estimates Committee, I was told by the minister that the form for the catalogue had been sent to 300 000 operators. According to the latest Tourism Council Western Australia update yesterday, only 340 responses to take up advertising space have been received, because to obtain advertising, operators must outlay money. The operators in the Kimberley said in their briefing paper released last week that the overall response to the catalogue had been poor, which was seen as a reflection of operators opposing the expenditure of their own moneys at a time when a rescue package had been made available. Further, in a detailed submission in a paper entitled “Marketing Proposal to the Western Australian Tourism Commission and the Tourism Council of WA Crisis Marketing Committee from the Kimberley Tourism Association”, the operators in that area said - Although we have certainly encouraged our members to consider involvement in the “Sale” campaign, we do not feel there will be a great response because it does not meet the particular needs of either our industry nor the operators who define that industry. Of particular concern is the concept of ‘discounting’ Kimberley tourism product, which through its very title the “Sale” sets out to do. The Kimberley region is considered to be a world class holiday destination and all marketing and promotional activities in support of the region have a very defined strategy that does not begin to enter the realm of ‘discounting’ and cheap product. This concern is further exacerbated through the notion of being involved in a ‘generic’ sale catalogue. We believe all regions have differing customer demographics, access opportunities/limitations, reason to visit, etc - which is certainly the case with the Kimberley. The problem with that rescue package is that the Gallop Government is asking people to put money up front before it will spend a dollar. It can be seen from the poor response to the first key marketing strategy that it is not working. I refer to the second marketing initiative; that is, the $50 000 to each region. The minister did not spell out to me in the budget Estimates Committee that before a regional tourist association can get the $50 000, it must cough up $12 500; that is, $1 for every $4. The Kimberley Tourism Association finds this contribution requirement totally objectionable and not within the spirit of a rescue package, at a time when the industry needs immediate and tangible assistance. It is not only desperate for assistance but also urgently needs a more comprehensive air service to the region. Kununurra has no direct service into Perth any more. This impacts on tourism, as well as on the community and its access to medical facilities and treatment in Perth. While Air North is servicing Kununurra, there is no working relationship with Qantas Airlink. The Government must do some work in this area - nothing has been done yet - so that joint fare arrangements can be made. Mrs Roberts: I think you might be out of date there. Ms SUE WALKER: No, I am not. Further, while the region is thankful to Qantas for its assistance, additional aircraft and more frequent flights are needed. The Gallop Labor Government must urgently address ways in which more flights
4378 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] can be provided to that region. The reality is that Skywest Airlines Pty Ltd is on only a four-week trial, which left no lead time in which to market flights. Skywest offered only one trip a week; that is, up on Saturday and back on Sunday. The aeroplane is smaller, the fares are more expensive, and the trip takes more than an hour longer than it did with Ansett Australia. An eight-day trip with Skywest is being offered in The West Australian at $1 125 for eight nights. People have to stay for eight nights, because the aeroplane goes up there only once a week. Qantas Airways Ltd is offering four nights at $507, or eight nights for $618. However, the problem being experienced is that commercial or government travellers are taking many of the available seats. The region needs at least three Qantas flights a day over summer, four a day in winter, an extra Broome to Darwin service, as well as three direct flights a week from Broome to Alice Springs, with a connection to the eastern seaboard. Qantas Airlink also needs to have a working relationship with Air North to form a joint fare arrangement. Ms MacTiernan interjected. Ms SUE WALKER: The minister does not know what she is talking about. Will she go up there and find out what is happening? The industry simply cannot wait another six months for this to happen. These urgent matters should be dealt with immediately. The stakeholders in the Kimberley are in a desperate situation, which cannot be allowed to continue. I ask the Government to provide documentary evidence of what funds, if any, out of the paucity of funds, are being made available in the short term. It was suggested that the sum of $1.155 million was being provided. How much of the allocation of the $50 000 to each region has been forthcoming? This scenario leads to the same criticism as that levelled at the Government by the community about the premium property tax; that is, a lack of integrity, competency and management skills. The new application for $500 000 has been forwarded by the Kimberley Tourism Association to the Government. There has been no response and the association does not hold out any hope of receiving one. Recently, on the request of the federal minister, Ms Jackie Kelly, during a visit to Broome on 4 October, the association made a proposal to the federal Government. I can only reiterate comments made by the Tourism Council on 14 September this year in relation to the Gallop Government and the minister, when it asked when this Government would show some leadership on this issue. MR OMODEI (Warren-Blackwood) [9.26 pm]: I will address some remarks to the estimates debate. Obviously members can spread themselves only so far over the committees, and opposition members with shadow portfolios would concentrate on those portfolios. That does not mean that members do not have other interests, particularly in the areas of health and education and a range of other portfolios. I will address my remarks to issues that are current today, in particular to the police and emergency services portfolio. In Western Australia emergency service plans exist for any misadventure, such as one which may occur in the hospital system. A number of areas are covered under the state emergency services plans. My concern is the amount of information coming from the media about the possible spread of anthrax. Today the Premier made some remarks about this possibility, and about hoax calls. The ACTING SPEAKER (Ms Hodson-Thomas): I will probably need to remind every member in this place that the House is dealing with the third reading, and the member for Warren-Blackwood’s speech must be relevant to what is in the budget. He must speak about the resources within the budget. Mr OMODEI: I will try to do so, but I ask you, Madam Acting Speaker, to pull me up if I get too far away from the issue. I was about to refer to the budget estimates debate, on page 203, where the Minister for Police and Emergency Services was questioned by me and the members for Churchlands and Mitchell. Mr McRae: And the member for Darling Range! Mr OMODEI: Yes, the member for Darling Range as well. I thank the member for Riverton for that information. Mr McRae: By my count, the Opposition asked 32 questions and the Government asked just two. Mr OMODEI: I must have embarrassed the member for Riverton somewhere along the way, but I do not think that has anything to do with this debate either. The ACTING SPEAKER (Ms Hodson-Thomas): Order, members. In the third reading, each member has a very limited time, and I will not tolerate interjections that are not relevant to the member’s address. I remind members that I will be very tough while I am in the Chair. Mr OMODEI: The issue I am referring to is the state of preparedness of Western Australia to react to the kinds of issues that are happening internationally, and the possibility for people, either hoaxers or some unbalanced person in the community, doing something that would render the State incapable of responding. I mention the possibility of somebody trying to destroy the north west gas facility, which would plunge the economies of Japan and Australia into absolute chaos. It goes one step further than that. A doctor explained on a radio program this morning not only how a person can make anthrax but also where to explode a bomb to spread anthrax across Western Australia. In her response to the member for Mitchell, the minister clearly said that the advice was that there was no immediate threat to the
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4379 community of Western Australia. Today’s events, with the Premier himself talking about the anthrax issue, is proof positive that this issue should have been debated as part of the estimates process. I have had a number of calls on this issue during the past couple of weeks. People have asked whether a contingency plan is in place to protect our water resources in Western Australia. I travelled to Switzerland when I was Minister for Water Resources. That country has underground installations built to withstand electromagnetic pulses. Every house is issued with a plastic container of potable water in the case of a catastrophe. We should have been given the opportunity during this debate to ask those questions of the minister. That issue needs to be addressed. As a member of Parliament in Western Australia, I am concerned that doctors can go on radio and explain every detail about how these things can happen and that the media can televise our satellite technology in the north west, Geraldton and in other places. They are matters of state importance. We should have had the opportunity to discuss those matters during debate on the estimates. I refer to an item in the budget that relates to my electorate of Warren-Blackwood. It was stated during the debate on the estimates that funding to the tune of $123 million would be available over four years to restructure the timber industry in the south west of Western Australia. That sounds like a lot of money. I am not an accountant, but I could not find one-quarter of $123 million in the budget papers. The Government has not spent a great deal of money in the south west since it was elected. The recent announcement by the State Government of $722 000 in funding to assist with the upgrading of old Westrail land, coupled with the shire and commonwealth contribution of $500 000, is a step in the right direction. However, I was not able to find out how the Government intends to spend that money, where the money is, the total amount involved, and where it appears within this year’s budget estimates. I cannot find it. I will pursue those issues in Parliament in the coming months because I am concerned about that matter. There is great uncertainty in my area. When this issue has been raised during general debate and in grievances, questions, and in matters of public interest, every responsible minister has said that he or she is concerned about the people in my electorate and will do something about it. However, little has been done. I know that the intentions of the ministers are genuine in many cases, but it appears that the volumes of timber which need to be set for the long term have not yet been announced. I tried to convince the Government during Estimates Committee B to debate the Forest Products Commission. I know that it is a corporatised body; however, we do not know what the volumes of timber will be under the forest management plan. To all intents and purposes, the Forest Products Commission will probably need some funds from the consolidated fund. If the Forest Products Commission is receiving funds from the consolidated fund, we should be able to debate the estimates for that corporatised body. The industry in Pemberton is currently interviewing people about their future and whether they want to stay in the timber industry, be transferred within the industry, or require a redundancy package. If Sotico Pty Ltd makes a commercial decision to reduce the Pemberton mill to one shift, without its being part of a government approach to the industry, workers who exit the industry will receive the timber industry’s redundancy package. I think it is about a week’s pay for every year of service, compared with the Government’s package of three weeks pay for every year of service. People in that community need to know their situation now. I need to identify funds within portfolio budgets that indicate whether people in the Warren-Blackwood area will receive a redundancy package commensurate with that provided at Greenbushes and other places with the Government involved in a package to restructure the industry. This is a very important matter. The whole of the economy of that lower south west area revolves around the timber industry. It is now October. The Government has had a lot of time in which to clearly set out the exact process within the budget and the papers supporting government line items. During the coalition’s term of government, it had reached the stage at which a furniture manufacturer was going to Manjimup. We were at the stage of identifying the future use of the houses in the Pemberton area; that is, whether they would be attached to the mill or whether workers would receive them as part of their redundancy package. Those discussions were in an advanced stage when we were in government almost 12 months ago. I am receiving approaches from people in my community who do not know what their future will be. They have young families. They want to know whether they will be able to book their kids into the same school next year, whether they will be on the dole or whether they will be offered a redundancy package. They want to plan for their future. I need to be able to glean from the budget papers the intentions of the Government in these issues. I have failed to do so because the information is not available. I implore the ministers responsible, the Minister for State Development, the Minister for the Environment, the Minister for the South West and the Minister for Forestry, to make very clear statements to those communities. The ministers have made flying visits, but have announced very little. Ms MacTiernan: A good announcement was made in Manjimup. Mr OMODEI: I have said that. The Government has announced a $123 million package to restructure the industry. Where is it? I acknowledge that the $123 million is supposed to be allocated over a four-year period, but I cannot find mention of it in the budget papers. Does it come under training, state development, forest products or the south west portfolio? Local government representatives are asking me, as the local member, what the Government is doing about this and that. They are asking what the situation is with high-conservation forest. They are asking whether there is a definition. There are no definitions. If larger areas of forest are to be placed in reserves, what impact will it have on the state budget and what impact will it have on the community?
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Mr Barnett: The Government is using taxpayers’ money to relocate people to Perth. That is happening right now. Mr OMODEI: Many people in the community do not know where they stand. Although I might be running along the edge a bit, it is appropriate to refer to the estimates debates. Those were major issues run by the Labor Party during the election campaign. It said it would stop logging in old-growth forests and restructure the timber industry. It made significant announcements, and has consistently done so, but there is not enough support information for the line items in the budget papers to tell me, as the member for Warren-Blackwood, what is the future for those industries and people in my electorate. I have pleaded with the Premier of Western Australia in a grievance debate to make some announcements about these issues. He has still failed to do so. It is time somebody coordinated a group of ministers to make up their minds on the future of this industry and its work force. Come Christmas, if the number of people employed at the mill at Pemberton is reduced from 100 to 50 and if the support crews in the bush and so on are reduced by 50 or 60 people, one-third of the population of Pemberton will be out of work. One-third of Pemberton’s population will be living on an inadequate redundancy payout or on the dole. The Government is responsible for that. The people of Western Australia who voted for the Australian Labor Party’s forests policy voted on the basis that the restructure of the industry would look after the people in that industry. That was the consistent message from the liberals for forests, Independent members and Australian Labor Party members. The people in city Western Australia who wanted forest management to be restructured did not want the timber workers to be hurt. Those people are in disarray. They do not know what their future will be. I implore the Government to provide a clear direction. We do not want a bland offer of $123 million. It sounds great, and that figure is repeated over and again. However, the actual expenditure in this area is limited to a $722 000 upgrade of some vacant Westrail land, a few redundancy payouts, a few business exits and an amphitheatre in the middle of the old Westrail land. That will not solve the issues that these people face. They need announcements about real jobs - jobs that are identified within these budgets papers. The Inglewood Products Group was ready to sign the papers the day after the election. Where are Inglewood Products now? Where are those 80 new employees in that value-added industry? We have not heard one word about that industry for my district. MR HYDE (Perth) [9.42 pm]: The budget has been incredibly good to the electorate of Perth. A number of big ticket items in the budget are earmarked for my electorate as well as regeneration, infrastructure improvement and safety issues. An amount of $4 million has been allocated for the Claisebrook train station, and a number of the other older train stations on our rail line will finally be restored - such as Bassendean and Armadale, and, hopefully, Cottesloe will be included in the next swag of funding. Encouraging public transport is a very important part of the budget. Obviously, by making public transport easier to access, more attractive, safer and well lit, the Government is not only spending money wisely but also getting more return on the money that it is investing on behalf of the State. The budget contains other incentives. I am delighted that the Minister for Health has included in the budget funding for the trauma centre at Royal Perth Hospital. Royal Perth is an important part of the health system in this State. It is important that people in a trauma situation, particularly as a result of road accidents, can be taken quickly to a central location where they can get the best possible care. The care at Royal Perth Hospital ranks with the best in the world. I am delighted that the Minister for Health and the Government is delivering on election pledges and putting more money into health to ensure there is a social dividend - a health dividend - to the people of Western Australia. It goes further. Money is finally being put into water resource infrastructure. In the inner city much of the water and sewerage piping is over 100 years old. Not only has it well and truly reached the end of its active life, but there are environmental problems with seepage from the type of pipes that are being used. This Government has had to bite the bullet and put money into infrastructure. I am delighted, as we saw in the budget papers and in the Estimates Committee, that the Government has made that money available. I am delighted that this Government is continuing the work of previous Governments of both persuasions in funding the black spots program. This is a tremendous way for local communities, who are aware of the real traffic problems and safety concerns, to achieve funding for black spot safety issues in partnership with local governments, the State Government and the federal Government. It is one of the most important areas in which members of government at any level are able to facilitate results for their communities. I mention the massive increase in funding for the arts. It is the biggest increase in real terms in over 25 years. What is great about the arts budget is that money is going into infrastructure. Huge capital works will take place throughout the State, from Broome to the amphitheatre down south, about which we have just heard. I take umbrage when we talk about funding for the arts and people say they want the money for real jobs, as if the people who sing, play, act and tell our stories in amphitheatres are not real workers. As the member for Mandurah will know, they are real, valid workers. All labour is something that should be celebrated, whether it takes place in an amphitheatre, a coalmine or a Qantas aeroplane. A large part of the arts budget is dedicated to regional Western Australia. I commend the previous Labor spokesperson for the arts, Hon Tom Stephens, for his regional focus, and the Minister for Culture and the Arts for
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4381 delivering on our promises, such as $5 million for the Broome theatre complex, which will hopefully incorporate an amphitheatre as well as a stand-alone theatre. The people of Broome will be able to enjoy many of the arts experiences which people in other parts of regional Western Australia have been able to enjoy for many years, and which exceed what many of us in the city are able to achieve. I consider sport and recreation. This Government has increased community sporting and recreation facilities funding. This is another community-based fund through which local communities are able to identify the real problems and the best solutions and achieve a good return for government money. I commend the Minister for Sport and Recreation for that increase. Many of these increases and, importantly, the increases in education, health and police services have come about because this Government has bitten the bullet and identified the areas of waste. We are cutting the glossy booklets and the overstaffing; the nebulous areas of government that an arrogant, slow Government let build up over eight years. There is so much waste. It has been identified and the savings are being redirected into schools, hospitals and police stations. That is a great return which this Government is achieving for the people of Western Australia. We have areas of tourism. I do not know from which planet the member for Nedlands comes, but the story I hear from people in the tourism industry is that Qantas Ltd is providing extra flights to Broome, and that Skywest Airlines will fly to Broome for the first time. There is even talk of it flying to Port Hedland for the first time. Our Minister for Tourism has acted, and this Government has provided emergency funding for the tourism industry. It is getting a response. Mr Watson: Albany and Walpole tourism operators had their best school holiday period ever. Mr HYDE: That is what I hear from a number of tourism areas in this State. The figures are the best they have been for 10 years. They are the figures in Albany. Several members interjected. The ACTING SPEAKER (Mrs Hodson-Thomas): Order! There is too much interjecting. I have said that members have only limited time in which to speak. If members insist on interjecting, I will call them to order. Mr HYDE: The tourism budget contains the emergency funding the minister has provided to enable local communities and tourism authorities to take urgent measures to encourage people to travel within Western Australia. I hear from people in Denmark - it is the same story as in Albany - that operators that could not afford to advertise in the Winter Breaks supplements that are distributed throughout the country can now, because of this Government’s budgetary action, buy advertising space for $180. Previously they would have paid $500. Small operators cannot afford that; that is the cut-off figure. The amount of $180 was allocated by the minister to both tourism and small business. Those people flock to the Labor Party because they know that a Labor Government is the natural Government for small business. This budget has delivered to small business. Fifty-two thousand small business operators, who are predominantly in rural and country Western Australia, do not pay land tax as a result of this budget. That is a tremendous result. The coalition Government looked after the big farms and the big end of St Georges Terrace. We are looking after small business, the real drivers of the economy. This budget contains funding for small operations and for regional Western Australia to get the economy moving in a fairer way. Trickle-down economics has not worked. It was disastrous in the eight years of the coalition Government. The Labor Government is doing the right thing and getting involved in kick-starting the economy. It is priming the operations of the budget. I refer to the works budget, in which funding is allocated to progress the introduction of the security of payments legislation. Small business operators in the construction industry were burnt by collapse after collapse of companies during the coalition Government’s term. Contracts awarded in Albany were no good. The previous Government let a large contract in Albany without due diligence. What happened to the gas-fired power station initiated by the previous Minister for Energy? That has gone. Natural gas will not be used there. The Labor Government will ensure that due diligence is observed in contracting arrangements. The Government has requested through the budget that all government contracts be paid within 28 days. The mob opposite have had their hands on their backsides. They did not put their hands in their pockets to pay small business. They were allowing them to string out the payments. They were letting small businesses and small suppliers throughout this State bear the brunt of their lax financial management. We talked about a budget black hole and about the coalition Government’s lack of financial accountability. The whingers said earlier that lo and behold the Opposition should be able to ask more questions in the Estimates Committees than government members. The naughty Labor people and the nasty member for Riverton as Chairman would not let the Opposition ask questions. The opportunity to ask questions was on a 50-50 basis, and the Opposition said that was terrible. When the mob opposite controlled the budget, they could not understand the figures. Under division 48 on police, the Opposition asked 32 questions. The Government asked two questions. That ain’t 50-50. The Opposition has no understanding of figures. In division 3 the Opposition asked 35 questions and the number of questions asked by government members was 18. That ain’t 50-50. Again the Opposition did not understand the basic distribution of questions. No wonder the coalition got the budget wrong and there was a budget blow-out with glossy pamphlets being sent everywhere. This Government is reining in that lax, tired expenditure policy and wastefulness of government.
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This young, invigorated Government, under the able leadership of this Treasurer, has brought in a disciplined, incredible budget that will allocate government money into areas where it should be spent. Mr McGowan interjected. Mr HYDE: He does. He is a budget magnet. Police, hospitals and schools are the areas in which this Government is delivering. I think that the small amount of money allocated to the arts has lifted arts funding to a 25-year high. The arts community knows that this Government is not only for small business and fair play, but also for the arts. We know in this twenty-first century that the amphitheatres, the value adding and all the other things that this Government will bring into the timber industry will provide not only regeneration of forests, but also pride in our state culture and a rebirthing of the local tourism industry. Seniors in caravans are now wending their way back to Perth from the north of the State. We will make sure that they can continue to go north, and that more caravanners from interstate continue to visit Western Australia to enjoy its charms. A great aspect of the money budgeted by the Government for cheaper advertising is that small tourism operators in Denmark, Albany and Derby - not those with giant contracts but those who depend on the turnover of visitors - will have a chance to enjoy and benefit from the increases that will flow to tourism. There will be a new world in tourism and this Government has taken the lead. I recently boarded the Indian Pacific train with my trolley and bags, which train arrives five houses from my house in my electorate of Perth. It is returning with extra carriages to Perth on Thursday of next week for the Centenary of Federation. It is running not only to capacity, but also over capacity. In places such as Kalgoorlie the train cannot fit into its original space, because it is so long. Kalgoorlie railway station is therefore making three arrival places for it. That sort of tourism is booming. Many other opportunities are occurring in this State. This is a great State for taking opportunities, and that is what people have done. After the events of 11 September and the demise of Ansett, people did not adopt a doom and gloom attitude. They did not open envelopes, sniff them and get themselves into the media to show people how to create a disturbance. They wanted to get on and live in the new world, and deal with and build on Western Australia’s benefits. This Government will do that through small business and through companies that are doing the right thing by Western Australia. We will do it through a Government that is young, vigorous, invigorated, disciplined and focused, and one that has brought down the best budget in 10 years. MR MASTERS (Vasse) [9.57 pm]: The estimates committee of two weeks ago was the best since I entered Parliament in 1996. I say that because I was not in this place; I was in the eastern States on a 12-day trip! I thank my Liberal Party colleagues who assisted me by asking a number of questions that concerned me about various portfolio issues. Obviously, I have only a few minutes to speak tonight; however, I wish to raise the subjects of science, health, roads and education as they relate to the budget papers. The biggest disappointment, in the broadest sense of the word, in my shadow portfolio responsibilities lies in the science portfolio. It is clear that the Premier is the Minister for Science in name only. His answers to questions indicated that he would attend meetings of the Premier’s Science Council where possible; however, 90 per cent or more of the day-to-day work of the Science Council and the science ministry will be conducted through the Minister for State Development who will be the real Minister for Science. Clearly the Premier will be a Clayton’s Minister for Science. I am concerned about that, but not because the Premier will stand on his high horse, sell the science portfolio and get a deal of kudos. My concern is about the diminution in the overall influence of the Minister for State Development, not because of a lack of ability but because of the time constraints placed on him and the resources available to him. It is clear in my mind that, even though science should be put on a pedestal because of the needs of our modern world, it will be diminished because the Premier is a Clayton’s Minister for Science. Science will not get the profile it deserves. Mr Hyde: It did get $60 million. Mr MASTERS: It got $50 million. I am glad the member for Perth has led with his mouth. Mr Hyde: I do not talk any other way. Mr MASTERS: One must think before opening one’s mouth. The member for Perth does it the other way around. The Labor Party went to the people during the recent election campaign saying that if it won, it would allocate $50 million during its four-year term in office. Now, eight months after the election, none of that $50 million has been spent. I suspect that only a small part will be spent during the rest of this financial year. I say that because to date there have been only two meetings of the Science Council. It will take a lot of work on its part to come up with recommendations about how this year’s allocation should be spent. In other words, there will be some cost savings this year that will benefit the budget bottom line, but science will be the loser. My concern is that that $50 million will not be spent over the term of this Government. That means science will not benefit in the way the people of Western Australia were promised when the Labor Party went to the people earlier this year. I also have concerns about the functioning and the makeup of the Science Council. When I was in the eastern States during the estimate committees sittings, I met with staff of the Victorian Labor Government. It has a council or a group similar to the Science Council. In addition to scientists and engineers, it includes people with good financial brains and
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4383 business acumen. In other words, the Victorian Labor Government - which I hope will set a good example for our new Labor Government - has realised that it is the marriage of science, engineering, finance and business that will achieve the outcomes that we hope will result from the expenditure of the $50 million this Government has committed over the next four years. The second issue I raise as a result of the estimates committee process relates to roads. There is no doubt that the Main Roads WA budget has suffered a significant reduction. The advice I received from the Estimates Committee was not particularly positive. My electorate has suffered as a result of major negative budget decisions relating to roads. For example, the Shire of Busselton has been requesting as a matter of priority that Main Roads WA spend the money necessary to construct dual lanes on Bussell Highway within the Busselton town site; that is, from Dolphin Road to the Vasse turnoff at Monaghan’s Corner. That is a much-used section of Bussell Highway. It now has 60, 70 and 80 kilometre per hour limits within it, which reflect both the number of vehicles that use that section of road and the dangers inherent within it, because it has only one lane in each direction. There is no doubt that the Busselton people in general, and the Shire of Busselton in particular, are very disappointed that the funding does not seem to be allocated over the next four years - in other words, in this year’s budget and the next three years of forward estimates - for the dual lanes to be built on Bussell Highway. Ms MacTiernan: We regret it, too. Unfortunately, we must build according to our means. We are not in any way suggesting that those roads are not significant or important. Over the next three years, as we work through the budget, we will see what we can expand. Mr MASTERS: I appreciate the comments from the minister; nonetheless one of my roles in Parliament is to bring to the attention of the Government and the appropriate ministers what my electorate is saying to me, and that is exactly what I am doing. Ms MacTiernan: I appreciate that. I want the member to understand that it is not in any way seeking to - Mr MASTERS: I am not taking it personally, but it is a great disappointment to the electorate. I mentioned Monaghan’s Corner. It is a three-way intersection of Bussell Highway, where it turns south towards Vasse and Margaret River or continues on to become Caves Road, which leads to Dunsborough, Yallingup and areas south. Plans have been on the books for a number of years for a major roundabout to be installed to provide far safer driving conditions for people using that section of road. I am aware of a number of accidents that have occurred there over the years. The land is available. I believe it has been protected through local town planning schemes. The shire is extremely keen for some action to be taken. Pressure on that corner has increased because of the previous Government’s commitment of funds to build the Busselton bypass. That means that instead of more traffic travelling in a straight line from Bussell Highway directly onto Caves Road at Monaghan’s Corner - Bussell Highway also turns south at that point - there is a significant increase in traffic travelling from the Busselton bypass, north along the Bussell Highway to Monaghan’s Corner. People must then decide whether to turn left into Caves Road, or right to go onto Bussell Highway and into Busselton. The traffic movement patterns have changed. I have great concern that there will be more accidents at that intersection rather than fewer. I am happy to say that last summer there was no significant increase in the number of traffic accidents. I do not know whether people were overly cautious because it was a new road layout; time will tell. I hope the funding can be found sooner rather than later for Monaghan’s Corner to be upgraded. Another section of road that fell off the list of roads for which there was a reasonable expectation that construction would occur sooner rather than later is the Bunbury Outer Ring Road. That road, which is also nicknamed the Bunbury bypass, starts in my electorate at the southern end of Gelorup, goes through Gelorup on an existing road reserve, through farming land and then bypasses the entire area of Bunbury, Eaton and Australind. This is important because it will save a significant amount of time, and not just for people in my electorate who want to travel north to Perth. The current Government, quite understandably, is placing a lot of emphasis on tourism as one of the saviours of the timber industry and of the south west economy in general. That means that the Government should be concerned about the number of tourists driving through Bunbury on the existing road network, including Robertson Drive, which has many corners and variations in speed limits and has the potential for a significant number of accidents. The Bunbury Outer Ring Road will save about 12 minutes of travelling time for people driving north and south. There is no doubt it will significantly reduce the number of accidents that occur on the existing roads within the Bunbury town site. Commuters in Perth will save 12 minutes travelling time on the southern rail loop at a cost of $1.3 billion. I am looking for only a few hundred thousand dollars to save 12 minutes travelling time for people driving north and south on the Bunbury Outer Ring Road. Ms MacTiernan: That is a bit of silliness I would expect from the member for Avon but not from the member. The member knows perfectly well that no additional money is being spent over and above what the former Government was going to spend in Perth. The money has been reallocated to get a better project. Mr MASTERS: I have heard that argument before. With respect, I do not believe it.
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Ms MacTiernan: Has the member looked at the budget? The Government has allocated $1.2 billion, which is the same allocation as before. Mr MASTERS: I understand the point being made by the minister, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Ms MacTiernan: The member cannot say that the Government has redirected money from roads to rail. Mr MASTERS: It is my belief that the cost of the new southern rail route will be far in excess of $1.2 billion. I will not debate the point today, as I have only two minutes left to speak. There are significant additional costs that the minister and the Government are not prepared to accept will be a reality. The Government will commit itself to additional hundreds of millions of dollars. For a relatively small amount of money, there will be significant savings in the Bunbury area in travelling time and a reduction in the number of traffic accidents. For safety reasons, there is an urgent need for part of the Bussell Highway leading from Vasse to Margaret River to have passing lanes incorporated. I believe that appropriation for the passing lanes has been left in the budget. I want some assurance that the full and appropriate number of passing lanes are retained in the Main Roads budget for the next four years so that this very important tourist route is completed in the way experts in Main Roads believe it should be. It will provide much safer access for people travelling between Margaret River and Vasse. I need to talk about Mowen Road, even though it is outside my electorate. To gain access to it, people need to drive down Sues Road. Mowen Road is an important issue for the member for Warren-Blackwood. It diverts a large amount of traffic from Bussell Highway and the Busselton bypass, both of which are in my electorate. The road provides a quicker route into Margaret River. It will be safer only if the section of Mowen Road from Sues Road to Bussell Highway is completed. I have run out of time and I cannot talk about health or education. It will have to be another time. Debate adjourned, on motion by Mr McGowan (Parliamentary Secretary). House adjourned at 10.12 pm ______
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QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Questions and answers are as supplied to Hansard.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, VALUERS FROM VALUER GENERAL’S OFFICE 401. Dr Constable to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure With reference to the answer to question on notice No. 2529 of 2000, how are the services of the 24 valuers employed in the metropolitan area by the Office of the Valuer General distributed across Local Government areas? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: There are seven teams of generally three valuers each responsible for specific local government districts. In addition there are four extra valuers operating across the metropolitan area identifying past and present building works to improve the quality of the property database. LOCAL GOVERNMENT, RATEABLE PROPERTIES 402. Dr Constable to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) How many rateable properties are there in each of the following Local Government Authorities - (a) Vincent; (b) Victoria Park; (c) Cambridge; (d) Nedlands; (e) Claremont; and (f) Mosman Park? (2) How many properties in each of the Local Government areas in (1) are rated on the basis of - (a) unimproved value; or (b) gross rental value? (3) What is the average gross rental value of rateable properties for each Local Government area in (1)? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1) The Valuer General has provided the following information in the context of the number of values supplied to local government as distinct from the number of rates assessments that may be issued by the rating authority. (a) Vincent 13,758 (b) Victoria Park 13,637 (c) Cambridge 9,851 (d) Nedlands 8,044 (e) Claremont 4,168 (f) Mosman Park 3,516 (2) Of the total values supplied all are Gross Rental Values with the exception of Cambridge where the total figure of 9,851 includes 4,095 Unimproved Values used in the Coast Ward. (3) The average Gross Rental Value of properties is as follows: (a) Vincent $9,743 (b) Victoria Park $11,247 (c) Cambridge $12,919 (d) Nedlands $18,503 (e) Claremont $16,060 (f) Mosman Park $13,280 LOCAL GOVERNMENT, PROPERTIES UNDERVALUED 403. Dr Constable to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) How many ratepayers in WA have had their properties undervalued by Valuer General's office assessors over the following financial years - (a) 1996/97; (b) 1997/98; (c) 1998/99; (d) 1999/00; and (e) 2000/01?
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(2) How many ratepayers in WA have received amended rates notices under section 6.39 of the Local Government Act 1995 due to previous errors in their gross rental valuation assessments on the part of Valuer General's Office? (3) How many of the amended notices in (2) have resulted in backdated rate increases for property owners? (4) How many of the amended notices in (2) have resulted in backdated rate decreases for property owners? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: Total Values increased (Gross Rental and Unimproved Values) (1) (a) 1996/97; 2,146 (b) 1997/98; 1,070 (c) 1998/99; 861 (d) 1999/00; 7,199 and (e) 2000/01 814 In order to put these figures in perspective there is a total of 1.56 million values. (2) The Valuer General's Office does not issue rate notices and is therefore not in a position to answer this question with any certainty. However, the following list shows the number of instances where a Gross Rental Value has been changed for reasons other than physical changes to that property. In the majority of instances, these amended valuations will have been provided to the rating authority prior to an original rate notice having being issued. 1996/97; 4,243 1997/98; 4,223 1998/99; 2,801 1999/00; 8,322 and 2000/01 12,012 (3) The Valuer General's Office does not issue rate notices, however on the assumption that values amended (corrected) within 30 days of original supply are not likely to cause a reissue of rates the following totals are provided. Due to recording limitations, information is only available for years 1999/00 and 2000/01. 1999/00 - 4,408; and 2000/01 - 670 (4) On the same basis as the previous question the information is as follows: 1999/00 - 1,830; and 2000/01 - 473
NARROWS BRIDGE, RAIL LINK 443. Hon P G Pendal to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) Will the Minister confirm that provision for a rail link across the Narrows Bridge has been made as a result of the duplication of the bridge? (2) If so, will the Minister indicate when and where such provision for such a rail link was previously announced? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: 1. The provision of the rail link was made because of the need for better public transport. However, the duplicate Narrows Bridge has been designed and constructed for possible future installation of light rail. Examination undertaken over the past months has shown that the bridge structures can be adapted to carry moderate weight of metrorail trains. The detail will be developed during the supplementary Master Plan process. 2. Not applicable SCHOOLS, BUS SHELTERS 448. Mr Masters to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) What progress has been made in implementing the previous Government trial in assisting with funding for bus shelters at Government schools in the metropolitan area? (2) Will the scheme be extended to trial the purchase of bus shelters at country schools, particularly at Busselton Senior High School where the need for bus shelters has been clear for some time? (3) If the trial is extended into rural WA, will opportunities exist for Non-Government schools to also take part, provided that the need for bus shelters is clearly demonstrated at the schools?
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Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1) I am not aware that the previous Government had undertaken any trials in assisting with the funding for bus shelters at Government schools in the metropolitan area. Under the previous government provision of bus shelters has been the responsibility of Local Government. However, the State Government has now provided a budget allocation of $2Million over four years for a cooperative scheme with Local Government to fund the provision of bus shelters. Any such scheme would see Local Government and State Government jointly funding a number of bus shelters at key locations across the state. (2)-(3) The scheme referred to (1) above is likely to be available for Local Governments across the State. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure is currently preparing a tender for the supply of bus shelters. The number of bus shelters that will be able to be co-funded will depend on shelter costs and Local Government budgets. The allocation of bus shelters to school sites will depend on priorities in the scheme yet to be agreed between State and Local Government. Clearly schools would benefit from bus shelters as would others in the community. EVERINGHAM STREET, CLOSURE, SURVEY OF WEST CARINE RESIDENTS 452. Mrs Hodson-Thomas to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) Will the Minister detail how she proposes to survey the West Carine residents after the trial closure of Everingham Street, e.g. direct mail or other? (2) Will all the residents of West Carine, bounded by Beach Road, Marmion Avenue, North Beach Road and Okely Road, be included in the survey? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1) As the Member would now be aware, the recommendation of the Citizen's Planning Jury was that there would be no trial closure of Everingham Street. (2) Not applicable.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, HIGHER DUTIES AND TEMPORARY SPECIAL ALLOWANCES 467. Hon C L Edwardes to the Premier; Minister for Public Sector Management; Federal Affairs; Science; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests (1) For each department or agency, since the February 2001 State Election, will the Minister advise how many Public Sector employees are receiving a higher duties allowance? (2) Of those receiving the higher duties allowance what was their annual salary prior to receiving the allowance and what was their annual salary post the allowance? (3) How many Public Sector employees are receiving a temporary special allowance? (4) Of those receiving the temporary special allowance what was their annual salary prior to receiving the allowance and what was their annual salary post the allowance? (5) Of those receiving either allowance, what was their classification level prior to receiving the allowance and what is their classification level post the allowance? (6) Of those receiving either of the allowances how many have received the allowance - (a) for less than 3 months; (b) between 3 and 6 months; (c) between 6 and 9 months; (d) between 9 and 12 months; and (e) for a period greater than 12 months? (7) In respect to 6(e) for what period have they been in receipt of either allowance? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(7) The information requested relates to historical staffing information which is not readily available from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and Cabinet’s Human Resource Information System. Owing to the mobile nature of a large proportion of the Department’s staff, the provision of a precise answer would involve manually checking files and documents, which in many cases are no longer in the possession of the Department having been returned to other Departments due to staff movements that have occurred since February 2001. I am not prepared to allocate the necessary resources to provide a response. If the member has a specific inquiry I will endeavour to provide a reply.
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GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, HIGHER DUTIES AND TEMPORARY SPECIAL ALLOWANCES 472. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Police; Emergency Services; Local Government; Minister assisting the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) For each department or agency, since the February 2001 State Election, will the Minister advise how many Public Sector employees are receiving a higher duties allowance? (2) Of those receiving the higher duties allowance what was their annual salary prior to receiving the allowance and what was their annual salary post the allowance? (3) How many Public Sector employees are receiving a temporary special allowance? (4) Of those receiving the temporary special allowance what was their annual salary prior to receiving the allowance and what was their annual salary post the allowance? (5) Of those receiving either allowance, what was their classification level prior to receiving the allowance and what is their classification level post the allowance? (6) Of those receiving either of the allowances how many have received the allowance - (a) for less than 3 months; (b) between 3 and 6 months; (c) between 6 and 9 months; (d) between 9 and 12 months; and (e) for a period greater than 12 months? (7) In respect to 6(e) for what period have they been in receipt of either allowance? Mrs ROBERTS replied: Department of Transport (1) 243 (2) Salary Prior to Receiving the HDA- Salary post receiving the HDA 27282.91 33344.41 30447.05 31519.62 27544.46 34688.09 30199.02 45702.96 26962.08 31519.62 30447.05 31519.62 38601.10 40046.48 38601.10 40046.48 36487.97 41035.08 77538.02 88914.89 55645.05 68395.31 47392.89 62148.50 25670.69 38495.09 37105.63 38495.09 37105.63 38495.09 30447.05 31519.62 55645.05 60641.83 30477.05 31519.62 30447.05 31519.62 30447.05 31519.62 29215.25 40046.48 34119.88 36388.34 26180.10 31519.62 62734.68 68395.31 37549.30 40046.48 30890.87 40046.48 43525.34 45160.12 43525.34 45160.12 29215.25 36544.25 62734.68 68395.31
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4389
33507.87 45160.12 47758.85 50297.14 27282.91 34214.03 30053.20 34688.09 47758.85 68395.31 47758.85 68395.31 28518.99 31519.62 38601.10 40046.48 40693.65 48348.59 29215.25 34688.09 29215.25 34688.09 28382.41 34688.09 31740.03 36388.34 30477.05 31519.62 33507.87 34688.09 29560.24 30601.49 30447.05 31519.62 27282.91 33344.41 27738.06 32341.77 33507.87 45160.12 37105.63 38495.09 31740.03 32341.77 30447.05 32239.26 37105.63 38495.09 46440.82 50297.14 64968.84 88914.89 30477.05 31519.62 38601.10 50297.14 47392.89 62148.50 30447.05 31519.62 29299.93 32341.77 30447.05 36388.34 26705.18 34688.09 26705.18 34688.09 38601.10 50297.14 41079.95 45702.96 36544.25 45160.12 36544.25 45160.12 31740.03 33206.43 26962.08 31519.62 28518.99 31519.62 31740.03 33344.41 32209.79 33344.41 30447.05 31519.62 31740.03 32341.77 27544.46 34688.09 29215.25 35592.93 30447.05 31519.62 31740.03 34119.87 31740.03 32341.77 30447.05 31519.53 30477.05 31519.62 30477.05 31519.62 30477.05 31519.62 30477.05 31519.62 33507.87 38601.10 27282.91 33344.41 27738.06 32341.77 30447.05 31519.62 27282.91 33344.41 27738.06 32341.77 26962.08 31519.62
4390 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
41839.23 43410.75 80540.54 88914.89 33507.87 42333.57 29215.25 45160.12 60641.83 68395.31 29215.25 40046.48 26180.10 31519.62 47758.85 62734.68 55645.05 68395.31 43525.34 58619.68 39968.01 53265.56 37549.30 58619.68 31740.03 32341.77 37549.30 40046.48 43525.34 45160.12 55645.05 68395.31 62734.68 68395.31 38601.10 41172.43 28083.40 38495.09 41839.23 51711.51 55645.05 58619.68 30621.05 38495.09 60641.83 68395.31 43525.34 45160.12 60641.83 77538.02 27544.46 34688.09 31740.03 32341.77 28083.40 34214.03 33507.87 50297.14 43525.34 50297.14 32209.79 39577.55 32209.79 39577.55 38601.10 40046.48 30890.87 40046.48 32209.79 39577.55 55645.05 68395.31 35075.23 36388.43 52012.79 58619.68 29215.25 34688.09 27544.46 34688.09 38601.10 50297.14 31740.03 36388.34 31740.03 36388.34 28518.99 32341.77 95639.95 106477.63 38601.10 45160.12 38601.10 50297.14 30890.87 37549.30 32521.90 36544.25 30199.02 31519.62 33507.87 38601.10 33507.87 38601.10 26962.08 31519.62 30447.05 31519.62 25670.69 33344.41 27738.06 32341.77 30199.02 34119.87 41839.23 43410.75 26705.18 34688.09 43525.34 50297.14 36544.25 41172.43 43525.34 50297.14
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4391
34119.88 36388.34 47758.85 50297.14 37549.30 40046.48 31740.03 32341.77 30199.02 38466.92 40693.65 43410.75 45026.09 48881.73 29215.25 36544.25 37105.63 41839.23 37105.63 38495.09 29215.25 34688.09 43525.34 45160.12 33507.87 34688.09 55645.05 68395.31 26477.45 33344.41 30890.87 40046.48 55645.05 60641.83 28382.41 34688.09 30621.05 35128.25 29215.25 35592.93 26962.08 31519.62 31740.03 38466.92 60641.83 68395.31 47392.89 62148.50 30890.87 37549.30 30447.05 31519.53 28518.99 31519.62 30447.05 31519.62 43525.34 47758.85 30477.05 31519.62 43525.34 45160.12 26962.08 31519.62 33507.87 38601.10 32209.79 34214.03 29694.31 33344.41 27544.46 34688.09 58619.68 68395.31 73345.61 77538.02 37105.63 51711.51 31740.03 33206.43 38601.10 45160.12 28083.40 38495.09 32209.79 38495.09 53795.61 58619.68 35592.93 45160.12 34688.09 45160.12 33507.87 34688.09 55645.05 68395.31 28382.41 34688.09 31740.03 36388.34 35592.93 50297.14 43525.34 50297.14 29215.25 40046.48 32341.90 36388.43 29551.34 31519.62 31740.03 32341.77 60641.83 68395.31 43525.34 45160.12 37549.30 50297.14 27544.46 34688.09 43525.34 50297.14 35592.93 40046.48
4392 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
40693.65 43410.75 62734.68 68395.31 42333.57 45160.12 55645.05 60641.83 42333.57 45160.12 37549.30 40046.48 42333.57 45160.12 27282.91 38495.09 43525.34 46440.82 33507.87 36544.25 30447.05 31519.62 34688.09 40046.48 33507.87 34688.09 31740.03 38466.92 30447.05 31519.62 30821.11 31519.62 64968.84 77538.02 26962.08 31519.62 36544.25 50297.14 47758.85 55645.05 60641.83 68395.31 55645.05 60641.83 33507.87 50297.14 84264.15 88914.89 30053.20 34688.09 80540.54 88914.89 55645.05 58619.68 29299.93 36388.34 33507.87 38601.10 47758.85 50297.14 55645.05 68395.31 29215.25 40046.48 55645.05 68395.31 38601.10 40046.48 34571.11 41035.08 53489.61 56348.61 37105.63 51711.51 42333.57 50297.14 30053.20 34688.09 36544.25 45160.12 38601.10 45160.12 35592.93 45160.12 35592.93 45160.12 38601.10 43525.34 33507.87 34688.09 46440.82 50297.14 62734.68 77538.02 28888.86 33344.41 43525.34 62734.68 30441.05 31519.62 45026.09 53265.56 27282.91 34214.03 25670.69 34214.03 30199.02 32341.77 95639.95 144829.00 28382.41 34688.09 28083.40 38495.09 43525.34 60641.83 52378.98 53265.56 37549.30 40046.48 62734.68 68395.31 31740.03 35075.30
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4393
38601.10 52012.79 43525.34 47758.85 53489.61 58292.34 64968.84 70766.22 44641.89 48348.59 35592.93 40046.48 46440.82 58619.68 84264.15 88914.89 44641.89 48348.59 64968.84 77538.02 28083.40 48348.59 42333.57 45160.12 31261.92 41839.23 73345.61 77538.02 29215.25 35592.93 43525.34 47758.85 28083.40 34214.03 38601.10 41172.43 64968.84 68395.31 41839.23 51711.51 43525.34 46440.82 38601.10 47758.85 31855.09 35592.93 55645.05 62734.68 29215.25 40046.48 73345.61 77538.02 43525.34 47758.85 30621.05 38495.09 43525.34 47758.85 29215.25 36544.25 45026.09 45702.96 35508.02 36388.34 28083.40 39577.55 35075.23 43396.65 32209.79 45908.75 47758.85 58619.68 47758.85 60641.83 64968.84 70766.22 27738.06 34119.87 55645.05 60641.83 31740.03 32341.77 35075.23 39550.00 30447.05 39550.00 60641.83 70766.22 47758.85 53795.61 43525.34 47758.85 43525.34 46440.82 33507.87 43525.34 43525.34 47758.85 33507.87 42333.57 73345.61 84264.15 31855.09 37549.30 41079.95 43396.67 43525.34 55645.05 38601.10 42333.57 47758.85 58619.68 47758.85 53795.61 55645.05 64968.84 43525.34 47758.85 33507.87 43525.34
(3) 17
4394 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
(4) Salary Prior to Receiving the TSA- Salary post receiving the TSA 64968.84 70766.22 55645.05 62734.68 43525.34 46440.82 38601.10 50297.14 73345.61 77538.02 31855.09 38601.10 43525.34 45160.12 47758.85 73345.61 47758.85 50297.14 80540.54 88914.89 55645.05 58619.68 43396.65 45702.96 38601.10 40046.48 32521.90 41172.43 26705.18 34688.09 43396.65 50562.54 84264.15 88914.89 (5) Level Prior to Receiving the HDA- Level post receiving the HDA L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L5 L1 L2 L1 L2 L2 L3 L2 L3 L2 L4 L8 L9 L5 L7 L5 L7 L1 L3 L2 L3 L2 L3 L1 L2 L5 L6 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L3 L2 L3 L1 L2 L6 L7 L2 L3 L1 L3 L3 L4 L3 L4 L1 L2 L6 L7 L1 L4 L4 L5 L1 L2 L1 L2 L4 L7 L4 L7 L1 L2 L2 L3 L3 L5 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4395
L1 L3 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L4 L2 L3 L1 L2 L1 L2 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L9 L1 L2 L2 L5 L5 L7 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L3 L1 L2 L1 L2 L2 L5 L3 L5 L2 L4 L2 L4 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L3 L4 L8 L9 L1 L3 L1 L4 L6 L7 L1 L3 L1 L2 L4 L6 L5 L7 L3 L6 L3 L6 L2 L6
4396 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
L1 L2 L2 L3 L3 L4 L5 L7 L6 L7 L2 L3 L1 L3 L3 L5 L5 L6 L1 L3 L6 L7 L3 L4 L6 L8 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L5 L3 L5 L1 L3 L1 L3 L2 L3 L1 L3 L1 L3 L5 L7 L2 L3 L5 L6 L1 L2 L1 L2 L2 L5 L1 L3 L1 L3 L1 L2 L9 C2 L2 L4 L2 L5 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L3 L4 L1 L2 L3 L5 L2 L3 L3 L5 L2 L3 L4 L5 L2 L3 L1 L2 L1 L3 L3 L4 L4 L5 L1 L2 L2 L3 L2 L3 L1 L2 L3 L4
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4397
L1 L2 L5 L7 L1 L2 L1 L3 L5 L6 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L3 L6 L7 L5 L7 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L3 L4 L1 L2 L3 L4 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L6 L7 L7 L8 L2 L5 L1 L2 L2 L4 L1 L3 L1 L3 L5 L6 L2 L4 L2 L4 L1 L2 L5 L7 L1 L2 L1 L3 L2 L5 L3 L5 L1 L3 L2 L3 L1 L2 L1 L2 L6 L7 L3 L4 L2 L5 L1 L2 L3 L5 L2 L3 L3 L4 L6 L7 L3 L4 L5 L6 L3 L4 L2 L3 L3 L4 L1 L3 L3 L4 L1 L2 L1 L2 L2 L3
4398 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
L1 L2 L1 L3 L1 L2 L1 L2 L6 L8 L1 L2 L2 L5 L4 L5 L6 L7 L5 L6 L1 L5 L8 L9 L1 L2 L8 L9 L5 L6 L1 L3 L1 L2 L4 L5 L5 L7 L1 L3 L5 L7 L2 L3 L2 L4 L5 L6 L2 L5 L3 L5 L1 L2 L2 L4 L2 L4 L2 L4 L2 L4 L2 L3 L1 L2 L4 L5 L6 L8 L1 L2 L3 L6 L1 L2 L4 L6 L1 L2 L1 L2 L1 L2 L9 G3 L1 L2 L1 L3 L3 L6 L5 L6 L2 L3 L6 L7 L1 L2 L2 L5 L3 L4 L5 L6 L6 L7 L4 L5 L2 L3 L4 L6 L8 L9 L4 L5 L6 L8 L1 L5 L3 L4
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4399
L1 L3 L7 L8 L1 L2 L3 L4 L1- L2 L2 L3 L6 L7 L3 L5 L3 L4 L2 L4 L1 L2 L5 L6 L1 L3 L7 L8 L3 L4 L1 L3 L3 L4 L1 L2 L4 L5 L2 L3 L1 L3 L2 L4 L1 L4 L4 L6 L4 L6 L6 L7 L1 L2 L5 L6 L1 L2 L2 L3 L1 L3 L6 L7 L4 L5 L3 L4 L3 L4 L1 L3 L3 L4 L1 L3 L7 L8 L1 L2 L3 L4 L3 L5 L2 L3 L4 L6 L4 L5 L5 L6 L3 L4 L1 L3
Level Prior to Receiving the TSA- Level post receiving the TSA L6 L7 L5 L6 L3 L4 L2 L5 L7 L8 L1 L2 L3 L4 L4 L7 L4 L5 L8 L9 L5 L6 L4 L5
4400 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
L2 L3 L1 L3 L1 L2 L4 L5 L8 L9 (6) Receiving HDA The total number of employees receiving HDA during the period was 243. The figures below represent the number of separate occurrences of acting. (a) 171 (b) 96 (c) 13 (d) 25 (e) 33 Receiving TSA (a) 12 (b) 5 (c) 0 (d) 0 (e) 0 (7) No. Of Months receiving HDA 13 13 15 15 16 16 17 18 18 18 20 21 21 21 23 24 24 24 24 25 25 25 26 27 30 32 33 35 36 36 36 36 40 44 Fire and Emergency Services Authority (1) 25 (2) See below (3) 3
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4401
(4) See below (5) See below (6) (a) 14 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 2 (e) 7 (7) Periods of 25, 36, 42, 65, 34, 18 and 18 months Answer Questions 2, 4and 5 Allowance Annual Salary Annual Salary Classification Classification Q2 - HDA (Pre allowance) (Post allowance) (Pre allowance) (Post allowance) Q4 - TSA HDA 65229 70401 District Officer Level 8/1 HDA 47253 51238 Firefighter Station Officer HDA 45876 51238 Firefighter Station Officer HDA 55224 65229 Station Officer District Officer HDA 55224 65229 Station Officer District Officer HDA 55224 65229 Station Officer District Officer HDA 52029 65229 Station Officer District Officer HDA 53615 65229 Station Officer District Officer HDA 51681 56310 Station Officer Level 6/1 HDA 37559 38878 Level 2/5 Level 3/1 HDA 36284 42068 Level 2/5 Level 4/1 HDA 28595 34399 Level 1/3 Level 2/1 HDA 29767 34399 Level 1/9 Level 2/1 HDA 26795 36910 Level 1/5 Level 2/4 HDA 35109 39208 Level 2/2 Level 3/1 HDA 35109 43915 Level 2/2 Level 4/1 HDA 35985 43915 Level 2/3 Level 4/1 HDA 42413 51238 Level 3/4 Station Officer HDA 42413 48520 Level 3/4 Level 5/1 HDA 44971 56310 Level 4/2 Level 6/1 HDA 44971 56310 Level 4/2 Level 6/1 HDA 48825 62077 Level 5/4 Level 6/4 HDA 79602 83826 Level 8/3 Level 9/1 HDA 79602 83826 Level 8/3 Level 9/1 HDA 36156 37559 UXO 4/1 Level 3/1 TSA 49243 65229 Station Officer District Officer TSA 53615 65229 Station Officer District Officer TSA 53615 65229 Station Officer District Officer Department of Local Government (1) 18 staff (2) Prior to allowance Post allowance 58,658 66,092 42,247 48,739 53,633 56,473 52,093 56,719 52,093 66,092 53,866 66,092 53,866 56,719 62,807 66,092 46,106 65,806 43,624 44,847 42,062 46,106 42,064 48,528 62,535 68,068 52,093 66,092 46,106 48,528
4402 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
53,866 66,092 37,363 40,926 26,007 39,817 31,560 38,742 31,560 33,626 46,106 50,166 70,531 85,394 (3) 2 staff (4) Prior allowance Post allowance 53,633 60,402 70,837 74,857 (5) Prior level Post level L6-2 L7-1 L3-4 L5-1 L5-4 L6-1 L5-3 L6-1 L5-3 L7-1 L5-4 L7-1 L5-4 L6-1 L6-4 L7-1 L4-3 L7-1 L4-1 L4-2 L3-4 L4-3 L3-4 L5-1 L6-4 L7-2 L5-3 L7-1 L4-3 L5-1 L5-4 L7-1 L2-5 L3-3 L1-1 L3-2 L1-8 L3-1 L4-3 L5-2 L7-3 L9-1 L5-4 L6-3 L1-8 L2-1 L7-3 L8-1 (6) (a) 12 (b) 6 (c) 3 (d) 1 (e) 1 (7) 3 years
Western Australia Police Service The Police Service has advised that, Extraction of the information and detail sought requires manual search and analysis and accordingly the resources required to address this question are significant and cannot be allocated to this task because of other high priority needs. If the member has specific concerns I would certainly be prepared to examine the matter further.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, ANNUAL REPORTS, COST 482. Hon C L Edwardes to the Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Energy What cost was incurred by each department or agency within the Deputy Premier’s portfolio in – (a) producing; and (b) distributing, their annual report for the financial year 1999 – 2000?
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4403
Mr RIPPER replied: Departments and agencies under the Deputy Premier's control as defined under the Public Sector Management Act 1994 as at 27 June 2001: Treasury Department (a) $19,196.65 (including GST); (b) distribution was effected through normal duty mail Office of the Auditor General (a) $14,586 ($3,696 for prepress and $10,890 for printing) (b) $350.00 (distribution) Office of Energy (a) $27,698 (inc. GST but not including the writing of the annual report that was done in-house and not separately costed). (b) $800 (not including preparation for posting that was done in-house and not separately costed). Minerals and Energy Research Institute of WA (a) $4,913.43 (includes GST) (b) Inhouse
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, ANNUAL REPORTS, COST 486. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Police; Emergency Services; Local Government; Minister assisting the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure What cost was incurred by each department or agency within the Minister’s portfolio in – (a) producing; and (b) distributing, their annual report for the financial year 1999 – 2000? Mrs ROBERTS replied: Western Australia Police Service (a) $42,948 (b) Minimal cost – in house distribution Department of Local Government (a) $6,454 (b) Approximately $200, however it is difficult to provide an accurate cost as the reports were distributed by MailWest and Australia Post. Fire and Emergency Services Authority (a) $20,347.73 (b) Approximately $1000. The report was dispatched through the in-house mailing system. Department of Transport (a) $19,979.43 (b) Distribution cost - $601.64
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, ANNUAL REPORTS, COST 487. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure What cost was incurred by each department or agency within the Minister’s portfolio in – (a) producing; and (b) distributing, their annual report for the financial year 1999 – 2000?
4404 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
Ms MacTIERNAN replied: As at 27 June 2001, the costs of producing the Annual Reports for each department and agency within the Planning and Infrastructure portfolio were - Albany Port Authority (a) 1999 - $9,850. 2000 - $8,759. (b) 1999 - $300 2000 - $300 Broome Port Authority (a) 1999 - Nil. 2000 - $4,307.33. (b) 1999 – Nil 2000 - $102.95 Bunbury Port Authority (a) 1999/2000 - $9,669. (b) 1999/2000 - $200. Dampier Port Authority (a) 1999 - $9,135. 2000 - Nil. (b) 1999 – Not identifiable. 2000 – Not identifiable. Department of Land Administration (a) 1999/2000 - $19,816.88. (b) 1999/2000 - $1,933.18 Department of Transport (a) 1999/2000 - $18,163.12 (excluding GST) or $19,979.43 (GST inclusive). (b) 1999/2000 - $601.64. East Perth Redevelopment Authority (a) 1999/2000 - $7,194. (b) 1999/2000 - Nil. Esperance Port Authority (a) 1999/2000 - $7,528. (b) 1999/2000 - $180. Fremantle Port Authority (a) 1999/2000 - $27,709 (including GST). (b) 1999/2000 $1,202. Geraldton Port Authority (a) 1999/2000 - $12,407 (including GST). (b) 1999/2000 – Not identifiable. LandCorp (a) 1999/2000 - $27,771.00 plus $2,762.10 GST. (b) 1999/2000 - Not identifiable. Main Roads WA (a) 1999/2000 - $26,268. (b) 1999/2000 - $129.
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4405
Midland Redevelopment Authority (a) 1999/2000 - $3,858. (b) 1999/2000 - Not identifiable. Ministry for Planning (a) 1999-2000 - $8790.00. (b) 1999-2000 - $546.10. Office of the Minister for Planning (Planning Appeals) (a) 1999/2000 – Nil. (b) 1999/2000 - Nil. Port Hedland Port Authority (a) 1999/2000 - $15,816.90 (b) 1999/2000 - $980.96 Subiaco Redevelopment Authority (a) 1999-2000 - $16,254. (b) 1999/2000 - Not identifiable. Valuer General's Office (a) 1999/2000 - $16,830.88. (b) 1999/2000 - $376.00. Western Australian Government Railways Commission (a) 1999/2000 - $20,520.15. (b) 1999/2000 - Not identifiable. Western Australian Planning Commission (a) 1999-2000 - $7520.00. (b) 999-2000 - $546.10.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, ANNUAL REPORTS, COST 492. Hon C L Edwardes to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; the Midwest, Wheatbelt and Great Southern What cost was incurred by each department or agency within the Minister’s portfolio in – (a) producing; and (b) distributing, their annual report for the financial year 1999 – 2000? Mr LOGAN replied: Department of Agriculture (a)-(b) The cost of producing the department’s 1999-2000 Annual Report was $1,918.00. Distribution costs are not identifiable. Department of Fisheries (a)-(b) The cost of producing the department’s 1999-2000 Annual Report was $34,922.80. Distribution costs are not identifiable. Forest Products Commission (a)-(b) The Forest Products Commission was formed in November 2000. It has not as yet produced an Annual Report. Mid West Development Commission (a)-(b) The cost of producing the department’s 1999-2000 Annual Report was $7,738.94. Distribution costs are not identifiable.
4406 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
Wheatbelt Development Commission (a)-(b) The cost of producing the department’s 1999-2000 Annual Report was $4,368.10. Distribution costs are not identifiable. Great Southern Development Commission (a)-(b) The cost of producing the department’s 1999-2000 Annual Report was $2,364.00. Distribution costs are not identifiable.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, VACANT POSITIONS 495. Hon C L Edwardes to the Premier; Public Sector Management; Federal Affairs; Science; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests (1) For each Department or agency under the Deputy Premier’s control as at 9 February 2001, will the Minister advise how many vacant positions were there? (2) What level of classification were each of the vacant positions? (3) What was the salary level of each of the vacant positions? (4) What was the title of each of the vacant positions? Dr GALLOP replied: (1)-(4) The information requested relates to historical staffing information which is not readily available from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and Cabinet’s Human Resource Information System. Owing to the mobile nature of a large proportion of the Department’s staff, the provision of a precise answer would involve manually checking files and documents, which in many cases are no longer in the possession of the Department having been returned to other Departments due to staff movements that have occurred since February 2001. I am not prepared to allocate the necessary resources to provide a response. If the member has a specific inquiry I will endeavour to provide a reply.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, VACANT POSITIONS 496. Hon C L Edwardes to the Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Energy (1) For each Department or agency under the Deputy Premier’s control as at 9 February 2001, will the Minister advise how many vacant positions were there? (2) What level of classification were each of the vacant positions? (3) What was the salary level of each of the vacant positions? (4) What was the title of each of the vacant positions? Mr RIPPER replied: Departments and agencies under the Deputy Premier's control as defined under the Public Sector Management Act 1994 as at 27 June 2001. Office of Energy (1) 7 (2)-(4) Level 1 $12,978-$31,572 Officer Level 2 $32,665-$36,294 Clerical Officer Level 3 $37,635-$40,861 Communications Officer Level 4 $42,377-$44,787 Electrical Inspector Level 4 $42,377-$44,787 Electrical Inspector Level 5 $47,141-$52,100 Senior Electrical Inspector (Collie) Level 5 $47,141-$52,100 Senior Electrical Inspector (Kalgoorlie) Minerals and Energy Research Institute of WA (1)-(4) None Office of the Auditor General (1) 12 (2)-(4) See below
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4407
(2) (3) (4) Class 3 $107603 Deputy Auditor General Class 1 $97233 Executive Director, Assurance Services Level 8 $74722-$81159 Associate Director of Audit Level 7 $65972-$70709 Principal Policy Analyst Level 6 x 4 $56617-$62693 Policy Analyst Standards & Quality Control Senior Team Leader, Audit x 2 Level 4 x 2 $43735-$46223 Auditor Level 2 $33712-$37458 Auditor Level 1 $23734-$32583 Corporate Support Officer Treasury (1) 58. (2) Level 1 0 Level 2 8 Level 3 5 Level 4 14 Level 5 10 Level 6 6 Level 7 5 Level 8 7 Level 9 1 Class 1 1 Class 3 1 (3) Level 1 $24,627 pa Level 2 $31,843 pa Level 3 $36,687 pa Level 4 $41,309 pa Level 5 $45,953 pa Level 6 $53,477 pa Level 7 $62,255 pa Level 8 $70,410 pa Level 9 $80,558 pa Class 1 $91,391 pa Class 3 $101,056 pa (4) Executive Assistant Level 2 Accounting Officer Level 2 (2 positions) Leasing Administrator Level 2 (2 positions) Administrative Assistant Level 2 (3 positions) Research Officer Level 3 (3 positions) Graduate Policy Officer Level 3 (1 position) Ministerial Liaison Officer Level 3 Systems Support Officer Level 4 Analyst Level 4 (10 positions) Research Officer Level 4 (2 positions) Administrative Officer (Human Resources) Level 4 Senior Leasing Officer Level 5 Financial Officer Level 5 Policy Analyst Level 5 (2 positions) Policy Officer Level 5 Senior Research Officer Level 5 (3 positions) Senior Finance Officer Level 5 Consultant Level 5 Policy Officer Level 6 Senior Policy Analyst Level 6 (2 positions) Principal Policy Officer Level 6 Senior Policy Officer Level 6 Principal Policy Officer Level 7 (2 positions)
4408 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
GST Implementation Co-ordinator Level 7 Senior Consultant Level 7 Chief Finance Officer Level 7 Assistant Director, Fleet Financing Level 8 Assistant Director Level 8 Director Level 8 Senior Policy Analyst Level 8 Manager, Information Systems Level 8 Manager, Organisational Development Level 8 Manager, Business Services Level 8 Director Level 9 Director Class 1 Assistant Under Treasurer Class 3 GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, VACANT POSITIONS 500. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Police; Emergency Services; Local Government; Minister assisting the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) For each Department or agency under the Minister’s control as at 9 February 2001, will the Minister advise how many vacant positions were there? (2) What level of classification were each of the vacant positions? (3) What was the salary level of each of the vacant positions? (4) What was the title of each of the vacant positions? Mrs ROBERTS replied: Fire and Emergency Services Authority (1) 43 (2)-(4) District Officer 65229 Manager Commercial Training District Officer 65229 District Manager District Officer 65229 Manager Wildfire Fire Safety Assist 29886 Fire Safety Inspector Firefighter 37287 Training Officer Level 1 25914 Receptionist Level 1 25914 Assistant Scheduling Officer Level 1 25914 Help Desk Support Officer Level 1 (x5) 27482 Communications Systems Officers Level 2 (x3) 32952 Support Officer Level 2 32952 Sponsorship Coordinator Level 2 32952 Store Supervisor Level 3 37559 Education Resource Officer Level 3 37559 Human Services Officer Level 3 38878 Community Liaison Officer Level 4 42068 Youth Development Officer Level 4 42068 Rehabilitation Coordinator Level 4 42068 Community Safety Officer Level 4 42068 Publications and Multimedia Officer Level 5 46479 Database Administrator Level 5 46479 Financial Accountant Level 5 46479 Information Systems Project Officer Level 6 53817 Manager Fire Services Planning Level 6 53817 Manager Fleet Engineering Level 6 53817 Manager Fleet Maintenance Level 8 70401 Regional Director Level 8 70401 Manager Fleet Services Level 8 70401 Manager Physical Resources Level 8 70401 Manager Financial Services Level 9 80300 Executive Director Station Officer 51238 Training Officer Station Officer 51238 Training Officer Modular Station Officer 51238 District Manager
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4409
Station Officer 51238 District Manager Station Officer 51238 BFS Operations Manager Trades C8 39214 Senior Technician Trades C9 35460 Technician Breathing Apparatus Department of Local Government (1) 6 (2) Level 3 Level 3 Level 5 Level 5 Level 5 Level 7 (3) $38,742 - $42, 064 $38,742 - $42, 064 $48,528 - $53, 633 $48,528 - $53, 633 $48,528 - $53, 633 $65,806 - $70, 531 (4) Research Officer Records Manager Senior Advisory Officer Building and Policy Officer Senior Financial Monitoring Officer Manager Building Control Western Australian Police Service (1) The unsworn approved strength of 1104, at the date in question was fully occupied. Vacant positions are not relevant to sworn staff as the sworn strength is maintained at 4811. (2)-(4) Not applicable. Department of Transport (1)-(4) The Hon Member is referred to the response to Parliamentary Question 501 provided by the Hon Alannah MacTiernan, Minister for Planning and Infrastructure.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, VACANT POSITIONS 504. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth; Disability Services; Culture and the Arts (1) For each Department or agency under the Minister’s control as at 9 February 2001, will the Minister advise how many vacant positions were there? (2) What level of classification were each of the vacant positions? (3) What was the salary level of each of the vacant positions? (4) What was the title of each of the vacant positions? Ms McHALE replied: Disability Services Commission (1) 126 vacant positions (2)-(4) [See paper No 721.] Culture and the Arts (1) 55 vacant positions (2)-(4) [See paper No 720.] Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth Provision of this information would require considerable research that would divert staff away from their normal duties. The nature of our service delivery requires flexibility in staffing. This may involve the creation of temporary positions
4410 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] and the selective filling of positions dependent on demand for services. If the member has a specific inquiry I will endeavour to provide a reply. GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, VACANT POSITIONS 509. Hon C L Edwardes to the Premier; Minister for Public Sector Management; Federal Affairs; Science; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests (1) For each Department or Agency under the Premier’s control as at 30 June 2001, will the Premier advise how many vacant positions will there be? (2) What level of classification are each of the vacant positions? (3) What are the salary levels of each of the vacant positions? (4) What are the titles of each of the vacant positions? Dr GALLOP replied: I am advised that : Department of the Premier and Cabinet (1) 131 (2)-(4) Position Tittle Class Salary Rates Assistant Director General CL2 $97,658 Research Assistant L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Coordinator - Ministerial Air Charter L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Senior Appointments Secretary L4 $41,702 - $44,073 Officer L1 $12,771 - $31,068 Assistant Director General CL3 $102,601 Liaison Officer L4 $41,702 - $44,073 Executive Assistant L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Cabinet Secretary L7 $62,906 - $67,423 Officer L1 $12,771 - $31,068 Correspondence Officer L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Assistant Manager L6 $53,984 - $59,779 Entitlements Officer L4 $41,702 - $44,073 Assistant Manager L6 $53,984 - $59,779 Formalities Officer L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Liaison Officer L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Ministerial Chauffeur MC $29,259 - $29,919 Customer Service Officer L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Help Desk Officer L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Copier Operator - Law Pblshr PT4 $30,849 Receptionist L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Appointments Secretary L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Receptionist/Administrative Assistant L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Appointments Secretary L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Liaison Officer L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Executive Assistant L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Receptionist/Administrative Assistant L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Receptionist/Administrative Assistant L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Correspondence Officer L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Receptionist/Administrative Assistant L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Executive Assistant L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Policy Officer L5 $46,389 - $51,270 Executive Officer L5 $46,389 - $51,270 Appointments Secretary L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Policy Adviser -(Agriculture) L5 $46,389 - $51,270 Appointments Secretary L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Liaison Officer L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Executive Officer L5 $46,389 - $51,270 Appointments Secretary L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Receptionist/Administrative Assistant L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Rec/Administrative Assistant L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Policy Officer L5 $46,389 - $51,270
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4411
Receptionist/Administrative Officer L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Appointments/Personal Secretary L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Assistant Correspondence Officer L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Executive Officer L5 $46,389 - $51,270 Receptionist/Administrative Assistant L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Receptionist/Administrative Assistant L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Receptionist/Administrative Assistant L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Executive Assistant L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Executive Assistant L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Executive Officer L5 $46,389 - $51,270 Liaison Officer L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Liaison Officer L4 $41,702 - $44,073 Liaison Officer L4 $41,702 - $44,073 Correspondence/Administrative Officer L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Appointments Secretary L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Research Officer L5 $46,389 - $51,270 Executive Officer L5 $46,389 - $51,270 Assistant Director General CL1 $92,713 Officer L1 $12,771 - $31,068 Administrative Assistant L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Project Officer L4 $41,702 - $44,073 Senior Policy Officer L6 $53,984 - $59,779 Principal Policy Officer L7 $62,906 - $67,423 Project Officer L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Coordinator Disability Employment L6 $53,984 - $59,779 Senior Project Officer L6 $53,984 - $59,779 Project Coordinator L6 $53,984 - $59,779 Administrative Assistant L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Administrative Assistant L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Executive Assistant L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Senior Policy Officer L6 $53,984 - $59,779 Principal Policy Officer L7 $62,906 - $67,423 Assistant Director General L9 $81,631 - $87,769 Executive Director, Policy G3 $132,273 Executive Assistant L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Liaison Officer L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Policy Officer L4 $41,702 - $44,073 Policy Officer L4 $41,702 - $44,073 Senior Policy Officer L6 $53,984 - $59,779 Director L9 $81,631 - $87,769 Director CL1 $92,713 Principal Policy Officer L8 $71,248 - $77,387 Director CL1 $92,713 Principal Policy Officer L8 $71,248 - $77,387 Officer L1 $12,771 - $31,068 Research Assistant L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Personal Assistant L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Policy Officer L4 $41,702 - $44,073 Senior Policy Officer L6 $53,984 - $59,779 Principal Policy Officer L7 $62,906 - $67,423 Principal Policy Officer L7 $62,906 - $67,423 Principal Policy Officer L8 $71,248 - $77,387 Senior Policy Officer L6 $53,984 - $59,779 Project Manager L8 $71,248 - $77,387 Senior Policy Officer L6 $53,984 - $59,779 Principal Policy Officer L8 $71,248 - $77,387 Education Officer (Secondary) L5 $46,389 - $51,270 Curator L6 $53,984 - $59,779 Director CL1 $92,713 Director CL1 $92,713 Principal Policy Officer L8 $71,248 - $77,387 Principal Policy Officer L8 $71,248 - $77,387
4412 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
Assistant Director General L9 $81,631 - $87,769 Human Resource Officer L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Ministerial Human Resource Officer L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Personnel/Payroll Officer L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Senior Accounts Officer L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Property Officer L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Supervisor Accounts L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Client Liaison Officer L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Payment Coordinator L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Certifying Officer L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Contracts Officer L4 $41,702 - $44,073 Senior Management Accountant L7 $62,906 - $67,423 Library Technician L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Information Systems Officer L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Information Systems Officer L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Officer L1 $12,771 - $31,068 Officer L1 $12,771 - $31,069 Information Management Officer L2 $32,145 - $35,716 Supervisor L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Volunteer Support & Training Facilitator L3 $37,035 - $40,210 Manager Media and Communications L6 $56,043 - $61,959 Manager Policy Co-ord & Development L8 $73,672 - $79,940 Senior Project Officer L6 $56,043 - $61,959 Project Officer L5 $48,288 - $53,273 Project Officer L5 $48,288 - $53,274 Coordinator Community Development L5 $48,288 - $53,275 Senior Health Promotion Officer L5 $48,288 - $53,276 Office of Multicultural Interests (1) There were seven vacant positions at the Office of Multicultural Interests as at 30 June 2001. (2),(3) and (4) are as follows: Position Title Level Salary Range Director Policy and Planning 8 $72,010 - $78,215 Policy Officer 5 $46,887 - $51,819 Ministerial Liaison Officer 2 $32,489 - $36,098 Web Admin & Info Support Officer 5 $46,887 - $51,819 Corporate Services Manager 6 $54,562 - $60,419 Community Relations Officer (Contract) 5 $46,887 - $51,819 Senior Policy Officer (Contract) 6 $54,562 - $60,419 Anti-Corruption Commission The Anti-Corruption Commission has provided the following information: As at 30 June 2001 (1) Seventeen (2) Level Administrative Salary Scale Investigative Salary Scale 2/3 2 only 3 1 only 6 only 4 1 only 5/6 1 only 6 1 only 2 only 6/7 1 only Group 1 Min 1 only Group 3 Min 1 only (2) (3) Level Administrative Salary Scale Investigative Salary Scale 2/3 $35581 - $44483 3 $40979 - $44483 $41931 - $45479 4 $46129 - $48746 5/6 $51302 - $66078
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4413
6 $59684 - $66078 $60871 - $67346 6/7 $59684 - $74491 Group 1 Min $103290 Group 3 Min $132273 (4) 1 Legal Officer 6 Electronic Surveillance Officers 2 Senior Investigators 1 Principal Legal Officer 1 Education/Research Office 1 Chief Executive Officer 2 Investigative Assistants 1 Executive Officer 1 Intelligence Analyst 1 Finance Officer Governor's Establishment (1)-(4) Not applicable to Governor's Establishment. Office of the Public Sector Standards Commissioner The Commissioner for Public Sector Standards advises as follows: (1) 5 (2) L7 L6 x 4 (3) $64,999 $55,782 x 4 (4) Manager Consultant x 4 GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, VACANT POSITIONS 510. Hon C L Edwardes to the Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Energy (1) For each Department or Agency under the Deputy Premier’s control as at 30 June 2001, will the Deputy Premier advise how many vacant positions will there be? (2) What level of classification are each of the vacant positions? (3) What are the salary levels of each of the vacant positions? (4) What are the titles of each of the vacant positions? Mr RIPPER replied: Departments and agencies under the Deputy Premier's control as defined under the Public Sector Management Act 1994 as at 27 June 2001. Office of Energy (1) 8 (2) Level 1 $12,978-$31,572 Officer Level 2 $32,665-$36,294 Clerical Officer Level 2 $32,665-$36,294 Clerical Officer Level 3 $37,635-$40,861 Communications Officer Level 4 $42,377-$44,787 Electrical Inspector Level 4 $42,377-$44,787 Electrical Inspector Level 5 $47,141-$52,100 Senior Electrical Inspector (Collie) Level 5 $47,141-$52,100 Senior Electrical Inspector (Kalgoorlie) Minerals and Energy Research Institute (1)-(4) Nil Office of the Auditor General (1) 10 (2)-(4) Class 3 $107603 Deputy Auditor General Class 1 $97233 Executive Director, Assurance Services
4414 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
Level 8 $74722-$81159 Associate Director, Audit Level 7 $65972-$70709 Principal Performance Analyst Level 6 x 3 $56617-$62693 Standards & Quality Control Senior Team Leader, Audit x 2 Level 5 x 2 $48651-$53769 Team Leader Audit Level 4 $43735-$46223 Information Systems Auditor Treasury (1) 62. (2) Level 1 0 Level 2 8 Level 3 4 Level 4 14 Level 5 10 Level 6 7 Level 7 6 Level 8 9 Level 9 1 Class 1 2 Class 3 1 (3) Level 1 $24,627 pa Level 2 $31,843 pa Level 3 $36,687 pa Level 4 $41,309 pa Level 5 $45,953 pa Level 6 $53,477 pa Level 7 $62,255 pa Level 8 $70,410 pa Level 9 $80,558 pa Class 1 $91,391 pa Class 3 $101,056 pa (4) Executive Assistant Level 2 Accounting Officer Level 2 (2 positions) Leasing Administrator Level 2 (2 positions) Administrative Assistant Level 2 (3 positions) Ministerial Liaison Officer Level 3 Analyst Programmer Level 4 Systems Support Officer Level 4 Analyst Level 4 (9 positions) Research Officer Level 4 (3 positions) Administrative Officer (Human Resources) Level 4 Executive Officer Level 5 Financial Officer Level 5 Policy Analyst Level 5 (3 positions) Senior Research Officer Level 5 (3 positions) Senior Finance Officer Level 5 Consultant Level 5 Policy Officer Level 6 Senior Policy Analyst Level 6 (2 positions) Senior Policy Officer Level 6 Principal Research Officer Level 6 (3 positions) Principal Policy Analyst Level 7 (2 positions) Principal Policy Officer Level 7 (2 positions) GST Implementation Co-ordinator Level 7 Senior Consultant Level 7 Assistant Director, Fleet Financing Level 8 Assistant Director Level 8 (4 positions) Director Level 8 Manager, Information Systems Level 8 Manager, Organisational Development Level 8 Manager, Business Services Level 8
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4415
Director Level 9 Director Class 1 (2 positions) Assistant Under Treasurer Class 3
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, VACANT POSITIONS 514. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Police; Emergency Services; Local Government; Minister assisting the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) For each Department or Agency under the Minister’s control as at 30 June 2001, will the Minister advise how many vacant positions will there be? (2) What level of classification are each of the vacant positions? (3) What are the salary levels of each of the vacant positions? (4) What are the titles of each of the vacant positions? Mrs ROBERTS replied: Fire and Emergency Services Authority (1) 41 (2),(3) and (4) Comm. Safety Advisor 34099 Comm. Safety Advisor District Officer 65229 Manager Career Training District Officer 65229 Manager Commercial Training District Officer 65229 District Manager District Officer 65229 Manager Operational Coordination District Officer 65229 Manager Wildfire District Officer 65229 ES-CADCOM Project Officer Fire Safety Assistant 29886 Fire Safety Inspector Firefighter 37287 Training Officer Level 1 25914 Assistant Scheduling Officer Level 1 25914 Help Desk Support Officer Level 1 (x4) 27482 Communications Systems Officers Level 2 32952 Sponsorship Coordinator Level 3 37559 Education Resource Officer Level 3 37559 Human Services Officer Level 3 38878 Community Liaison Officer Level 4 42068 Human Services Officer Level 4 42068 Rehabilitation Coordinator Level 4 42068 Geographic Information Systems Officer Level 4 42068 Accountant Level 5 46479 Community Development Officer Level 5 46479 Database Administrator Level 5 46479 Informations Systems Project Officer Level 5 46479 Telecommunications Supervisor Level 5 46479 Financial Accountant Level 6 53817 Volunteer Marine Rescue Service Coordinator Level 6 53817 Manager Fire Services Planning Level 6 53817 Manager Executive Services Level 7 62436 Research and Logistics Support Manager Level 8 70401 Regional Director Level 9 80300 Executive Director Station Officer 51238 Training Officer Station Officer 51238 Training Officer Modular Station Officer 51238 BFS Operations Manager Station Officer 51238 District Manager Station Officer 51238 Fire Safety Officer Trades C8 39214 Senior Technician Trades C9 35460 Technician Breathing Apparatus Department of Local Government (1) 3
4416 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
(2) Level 3 Level 5 Level 5 (3) $38,742 - $42,064 $48,528 - $53,633 $48,528 - $53,633 (4) Research Officer Building and Policy Officer Senior Financial Monitoring Officer Western Australia Police Service (5) The unsworn approved strength of 1105, at the date in question, carried 24 vacancies. Vacant positions are not relevant to sworn staff as the sworn strength is maintained at 4811. (6) – (4) Unfortunately it is not possible, within the time frame available, to identify the details sought in relation to vacant positions as a manual search of records would be required to provide accurate information. Department of Transport The Hon Member is referred to the response to Parliamentary Question 515 provided by the Hon Alannah MacTiernan, Minister for Planning and Infrastructure
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, VACANT POSITIONS 518. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth; Disability Services; Culture and the Arts (1) For each Department or agency under the Minister’s control as at 30 June 2001, will the Minister advise how many vacant positions were there? (2) What level of classification were each of the vacant positions? (3) What was the salary level of each of the vacant positions? (4) What was the title of each of the vacant positions? Ms McHALE replied: Disability Services Commission (1) 122 vacant positions. (2)-(4) [See paper No 722.] Culture and the Arts (1) 71 vacant positions (2)-(4) [See paper No 723.] Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth (1)-(4) Provision of this information would require considerable research that would divert staff away from their normal duties. The nature of our service delivery requires flexibility in staffing. This may involve the creation of temporary positions and the selective filling of positions dependent on demand for services. If the member has a specific inquiry I will endeavour to provide a reply.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, INTEGRATION OF SERVICES, COST SAVINGS 524. Hon C L Edwardes to the Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Energy (1) I refer to the Report of the Taskforce Established to Review the Machinery of Western Australia’s Government and ask what cost savings are to result through the integration of services? (2) How are these cost savings to be realised? (3) Will the abolition of Public Sector positions be incorporated into the realisation of the cost savings? (4) If so, how many positions have been identified for abolition? (5) Will the vacancy of public sector positions be incorporated into the realisation of the cost savings? (6) If so, how many positions have been identified to be retained as vacant? (7) What classification levels are the positions identified for abolition?
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4417
(8) What classification levels are the positions identified for vacancy? Mr RIPPER replied: As at 27 June 2001: Office of Energy (1) The Perth International Centre for the Application of Solar Energy (CASE) is to be integrated into the Sustainable Energy Development Agency (WA) that is to be established within the Office of Energy. CASE programs will be reprioritised within existing budget parameters and administered by SEDA (WA) staff. Additional funds have been included in the budget for the election commitment to establish SEDA (WA). No cost savings will arise from this integration, however improved outcomes are expected from the integration. The Office of Energy is unaware at this time of any cost savings that will be delivered through the integration of the Technical and Safety Division into another agency, as planning for this integration is at a preliminary stage. (2) Not applicable. (3) No. (4) Not applicable. (5) No. (6)-(8) Not applicable Minerals and Energy Research Institute of WA (1)-(8) Nil International Centre for the Application of Solar Energy (1) The International Centre for Application of Solar Energy (CASE) is to be absorbed into the Office of Energy / Sustainable Energy Development Agency. Cost savings may be achieved in the administrative and government reporting function. (2) Possible reduction in staff providing support functions. (3) CASE has no public sector employees, but employee numbers are likely to be reduced, in order to reduce operating costs and meet the lower Government appropriation for CASE. (4) At this stage no decision has been made on staffing levels or positions that will be abolished. (5) N/A – no existing public sector positions exist. (6)-(8) Not applicable Gold Corporation (1) Gold Corporation is a self-funding commercial operation and is not part of the service integration process. (2)-(8) Not applicable. Office of the Auditor General (1)-(8) Not applicable WA Treasury Corporation (1)-(8) Not applicable Office of Gas Access Regulation (1) Cost savings that may result through the integration of services cannot be assessed at this time as the Machinery of Government Taskforce Recommendation 44 to create a statutory position of Economic Regulator is still under development. (2)-(8) Not applicable. Treasury (1)-(2) Cost savings will emerge through more effective and efficient delivery of services. However, those savings have not been quantified at this stage. (3) Yes. (4) Two, at this time. (5) It is unlikely there will be any vacancies.
4418 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
(6) Not applicable. (7) Class 1 and Level 9. (8) Not applicable. GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, INTEGRATION OF SERVICES, COST SAVINGS 526. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Labour Relations; Consumer Affairs; Employment and Training (1) I refer to the Report of the Taskforce Established to Review the Machinery of Western Australia’s Government and ask what cost savings are to result through the integration of services? (2) How are these cost savings to be realised? (3) Will the abolition of Public Sector positions be incorporated into the realisation of the cost savings? (4) If so, how many positions have been identified for abolition? (5) Will the vacancy of public sector positions be incorporated into the realisation of the cost savings? (6) If so, how many positions have been identified to be retained as vacant? (7) What classification levels are the positions identified for abolition? (8) What classification levels are the positions identified for vacancy? Mr KOBELKE replied: (1)-(2) The Report of the Taskforce Established to Review the Machinery of Western Australia’s Government titled “Government Structures for Better Results” set out the objectives for reform on page 18 and following. These objectives do not make specific mention of “cost savings”. The question is predicated on assumptions that are not in keeping with the objectives of the Machinery of Government Reforms. (3)-(8) While there will be some restructuring of positions in the formation of the new department, no details on affected positions are available at this time. It is intended that any restructuring will be on a cost neutral basis. GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, INTEGRATION OF SERVICES, COST SAVINGS 528. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Police; Emergency Services; Local Government; Minister assisting the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) I refer to the Report of the Taskforce Established to Review the Machinery of Western Australia’s Government and ask what cost savings are to result through the integration of services? (2) How are these cost savings to be realised? (3) Will the abolition of Public Sector positions be incorporated into the realisation of the cost savings? (4) If so, how many positions have been identified for abolition? (5) Will the vacancy of public sector positions be incorporated into the realisation of the cost savings? (6) If so, how many positions have been identified to be retained as vacant? (7) What classification levels are the positions identified for abolition? (8) What classification levels are the positions identified for vacancy? Mrs ROBERTS replied: (1)-(8) The main purpose of the Taskforce Established to Review the Machinery of Government was not to achieve cost cuts, it was to improve government services. The Western Australia Police Service and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority were unaffected the recommendations of the Machinery of Government Review.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, INTEGRATION OF SERVICES, COST SAVINGS 532. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth; Disability Services; Culture and the Arts (1) I refer to the Report of the Taskforce Established to Review the Machinery of Western Australia’s Government and ask what cost savings are to result through the integration of services? (2) How are these cost savings to be realised? (3) Will the abolition of Public Sector positions be incorporated into the realisation of the cost savings?
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4419
(4) If so, how many positions have been identified for abolition? (5) Will the vacancy of public sector positions be incorporated into the realisation of the cost savings? (6) If so, how many positions have been identified to be retained as vacant? (7) What classification levels are the positions identified for abolition? (8) What classification levels are the positions identified for vacancy? Ms McHALE replied: It has previously been made clear that the Machinery of Government Taskforce Review was directed at achieving better management and delivery of services. While it is expected that in the long term this will lead to cost efficiencies, no target has been set. Disability Services Commission (1) The Machinery of Government Taskforce made no specific recommendations in relation to Disability Services which retains its status as a separate State Government ministerial portfolio. (2)-(8) Not applicable. Culture and the Arts (1) Some minor cost savings may be expected to arise from further pooling of corporate support services, increased economies of scale from shared procurement services and process improvements reducing duplication, however, these have not been quantified. (2) Cost savings are to be realised on an ongoing basis as and when the process improvements are implemented and lower procurement costs negotiated. (3) Human Resources and Financial Services in the Culture and the Arts were integrated in 1997 and no cost savings through the abolition of Public Sector positions are expected to result in these areas. Information Technology and Procurement services are currently being integrated and no savings in the abolition of Public Sector positions will be realised. GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, RECLASSIFICATION OF POSITIONS 538. Hon C L Edwardes to the Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Energy (1) Since the 2001 February State Election, for departments, agencies and statutory authorities under the control of the Deputy Premier, will the Minister provide the number of reclassification of positions that have occurred? (2) The annual salary for the position prior to reclassification? (3) The annual salary for the position post reclassification? (4) The classification level of the position prior to reclassification? (5) The classification level of the position post reclassification? (6) The title of the position prior to reclassification? (7) The title of the position post classification? (8) The name of the department, agency or statutory authority for each of the reclassified positions? (9) Of the number of positions reclassified, how many public sector employees received the benefit of the reclassification through promotion? (10) How many of the above promotions were published in Intersector? Mr RIPPER replied: Departments, agencies and statutory authorities under the Deputy Premier's control as defined under the Public Sector Management Act 1994 as at 27 June 2001: Office of Energy (1) None (2)-(10) Not applicable Minerals and Energy Research Institute (1)-(10) None WA Treasury Corporation (1) None
4420 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
(2)-(10) Not applicable Office of the Auditor General (1) None (2)-(10) Not applicable Gold Corporation For Gold Corporation and its subsidiaries: This question is directed at public sector agencies employing the public sector job classification system. Gold Corporation is a stand-alone commercial operation, is self-funding and sets its own staffing levels. Gold Corporation does not use the public sector job classification system or salary levels. Staff are recruited from the private sector for commercial purposes and return there when they leave. International Centre for the Application of Solar Energy (1) The International Centre for the Application of Solar Energy (CASE) staff are normally employed by contract of employment, and are not public sector employees. No reclassification of positions has occurred since February 2001. (2)-(10) Not applicable. Office of Gas Access Regulation (1) None (2)-(10) Not applicable Treasury (1) None (2)-(10) Not applicable GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, RECLASSIFICATION OF POSITIONS 542. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Police; Emergency Services; Local Government; Minister assisting the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) Since the 2001 February State Election, for departments, agencies and statutory authorities under the control of the Minister, will the Minister provide the number of reclassification of positions that have occurred? (2) The annual salary for the position prior to reclassification? (3) The annual salary for the position post reclassification? (4) The classification level of the position prior to reclassification? (5) The classification level of the position post reclassification? (6) The title of the position prior to reclassification? (7) The title of the position post classification? (8) The name of the department, agency or statutory authority for each of the reclassified positions? (9) Of the number of positions reclassified, how many public sector employees received the benefit of the reclassification through promotion? (10) How many of the above promotions were published in Intersector? Mrs ROBERTS replied: Fire and Emergency Services Authority (1) 1 (2) $62,436 - $66,754 (FESA E.B.A rates) (3) $70,401 – 76,254 (FESA E.B.A rates) (4) 7 (5) 8 (6) Manager Financial Accounting (7) FESA Manager Financial Services
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4421
(8) Fire and Emergency Services Authority (9) None (10) None Western Australian Fire Brigades Superannuation Board (1)-(10) Not applicable as there have been no reclassifications. Department of Local Government Fremantle Cemeteries Board Metropolitan Cemeteries Board Western Australian Local government Grants Commission Keep Australia Beautiful Council (1) None (2)-(10) Not applicable Western Australia Police Service (1) Nil (2)-(10) Not applicable Department of Transport The Hon Member is referred to the response to Parliamentary Question 543 provided by the Hon Alannah MacTiernan, Minister for Planning and Infrastructure.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, SENIOR EXECUTIVE SEVERANCES 590. Hon C L Edwardes to the Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Energy (1) In light of the State Government’s stated intention to cull at least 60 senior executive jobs over the next four years, for departments, agencies and statutory authorities under the control of the Deputy Premier what is the dollar value of severances estimated as part of the 60 severances in the 2002/2003 financial year? (2) How many severances does (1) relate to? (3) In respect to (2) what is the dollar value of the severances estimated to be absorbed by agencies? (4) In respect to (2) what is the dollar value of the severances estimated to be absorbed by Treasury? (5) In respect to (3), what services to the public of Western Australia is estimated to be sacrificed to pay for the cost of severances? (6) In respect to (5), if no services are affected, have the estimated funds returned to Treasury? (7) If not, why not? Mr RIPPER replied: (1)-(7) No decisions have been made about further severances or management initiated retirements in future years.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, SENIOR EXECUTIVE SEVERANCES 594. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Police; Emergency Services; Local Government; Minister assisting the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) In light of the State Government’s stated intention to cull at least 60 senior executive jobs over the next four years, for departments, agencies and statutory authorities under the control of the Minister what is the dollar value of severances estimated as part of the 60 severances in the 2002/2003 financial year? (2) How many severances does (1) relate to? (3) In respect to (2) what is the dollar value of the severances estimated to be absorbed by agencies? (4) In respect to (2) what is the dollar value of the severances estimated to be absorbed by Treasury? (5) In respect to (3), what services to the public of Western Australia is estimated to be sacrificed to pay for the cost of severances? (6) In respect to (5), if no services are affected, have the estimated funds returned to Treasury? (7) If not, why not?
4422 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
Mrs ROBERTS replied: Department of Local Government Fremantle Cemeteries Board; Metropolitan Cemeteries Board; Western Australian Local Government Grants Commission; Keep Australia Beautiful Council (1) Nil. (2)-(7) Not applicable. Department of Transport (1)-(7) Nil. Western Australia Police Service (1),(3)-(7) Not applicable. (2) Nil Fire and Emergency Services Authority There are no further jobs identified within FESA that fall within this initiative.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, SENIOR EXECUTIVE SEVERANCES 595. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) In light of the State Government’s stated intention to cull at least 60 senior executive jobs over the next four years, for departments, agencies and statutory authorities under the control of the Minister what is the dollar value of severances estimated as part of the 60 severances in the 2002/2003 financial year? (2) How many severances does (1) relate to? (3) In respect to (2) what is the dollar value of the severances estimated to be absorbed by agencies? (4) In respect to (2) what is the dollar value of the severances estimated to be absorbed by Treasury? (5) In respect to (3), what services to the public of Western Australia is estimated to be sacrificed to pay for the cost of severances? (6) In respect to (5), if no services are affected, have the estimated funds returned to Treasury? (7) If not, why not? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(7) No decisions have been made about further severances or management initiated retirements in future years. GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, SENIOR EXECUTIVE SEVERANCES 604. Hon C L Edwardes to the Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Energy (1) In light of the State Government’s stated intention to cull at least 60 senior executive jobs over the next four years, for departments, agencies and statutory authorities under the control of the Deputy Premier what is the dollar value of severances estimated as part of the 60 severances in the 2003/2004 financial year? (2) How many severances does (1) relate to? (3) In respect to (2) what is the dollar value of the severances estimated to be absorbed by agencies? (4) In respect to (2) how much is estimated to be directly funded by Treasury? (5) In respect to (3), what services to the public of Western Australia is estimated to be sacrificed to pay for the cost of severances? (6) In respect to (5), if no services are affected, have the estimated funds returned to Treasury? (7) If not, why not? Mr RIPPER replied: (1)-(7) No decisions have been made about further severances or management initiated retirements in future years.
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GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, SENIOR EXECUTIVE SEVERANCES 608. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Police; Emergency Services; Local Government; Minister assisting the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) In light of the State Government’s stated intention to cull at least 60 senior executive jobs over the next four years, for departments, agencies and statutory authorities under the control of the Minister what is the dollar value of severances estimated as part of the 60 severances in the 2003/2004 financial year? (2) How many severances does (1) relate to? (3) In respect to (2) what is the dollar value of the severances estimated to be absorbed by agencies? (4) In respect to (2) what is the dollar value of the severances estimated to be absorbed by Treasury? (5) In respect to (3), what services to the public of Western Australia is estimated to be sacrificed to pay for the cost of severances? (6) In respect to (5), if no services are affected, have the estimated funds returned to Treasury? (7) If not, why not? Mrs ROBERTS replied: Department of Local Government Fremantle Cemeteries Board; Metropolitan Cemeteries Board; Western Australian Local Government Grants Commission; Keep Australia Beautiful Council (1) Nil. (2)-(7) Not applicable. Department of Transport (1)-(7) Nil. Western Australia Police Service (1),(3)-(7) Not applicable. (2) Nil Fire and Emergency Services Authority (1)-(7) There are no further jobs identified within FESA that fall within this initiative. GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, SENIOR EXECUTIVE SEVERANCES 609. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) In light of the State Government’s stated intention to cull at least 60 senior executive jobs over the next four years, for departments, agencies and statutory authorities under the control of the Minister what is the dollar value of severances estimated as part of the 60 severances in the 2002/2003 financial year? (2) How many severances does (1) relate to? (3) In respect to (2) what is the dollar value of the severances estimated to be absorbed by agencies? (4) In respect to (2) what is the dollar value of the severances estimated to be absorbed by Treasury? (5) In respect to (3), what services to the public of Western Australia is estimated to be sacrificed to pay for the cost of severances? (6) In respect to (5), if no services are affected, have the estimated funds returned to Treasury? (7) If not, why not? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(7) No decisions have been made about further severances or management initiated retirements in future years. GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, SENIOR EXECUTIVE SEVERANCES 646. Hon C L Edwardes to the Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Energy (1) In light of the State Government’s stated intention to cull at least 60 senior executive jobs over the next four years, for departments, agencies and statutory authorities under the control of the Deputy Premier what is the recurrent dollar savings of severances paid as part of the 60 severances in the 2002/2003 financial year?
4424 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
(2) How many severances is it estimated that (1) relates to? (3) In respect to (2) what is the estimated recurrent dollar savings arising from severances to be retained by agencies? (4) In respect to (2) what is the estimated recurrent dollar savings to be returned to Treasury? Mr RIPPER replied: (1)-(4) No decisions have been made about further severances or management initiated retirements in future years. GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, SENIOR EXECUTIVE SEVERANCES 650. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Police; Emergency Services; Local Government; Minister assisting the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) In light of the State Government’s stated intention to cull at least 60 senior executive jobs over the next four years, for departments, agencies and statutory authorities under the control of the Minister what is the recurrent dollar savings of severances paid as part of the 60 severances in the 2002/2003 financial year? (2) How many severances is it estimated that (1) relates to? (3) In respect to (2) what is the estimated recurrent dollar savings arising from severances to be retained by agencies? (4) In respect to (2) what is the estimated recurrent dollar savings to be returned to Treasury? Mrs ROBERTS replied: Department of Local Government Fremantle Cemeteries Board Metropolitan Cemeteries Board; Western Australian Local Government Grants Commission; Keep Australia Beautiful (1) Nil. (2)-(4) Not applicable. Fire Brigade Superannuation Board (1)-(4) Not applicable - no severances. Fire and Emergency Services Authority There are no further jobs identified within FESA that fall within this initiative. Western Australia Police Service (1),(3)-(4) Not applicable. (2) Nil. Department of Transport (1)-(4) Nil GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, SENIOR EXECUTIVE SEVERANCES 651. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) In light of the State Government’s stated intention to cull at least 60 senior executive jobs over the next four years, for departments, agencies and statutory authorities under the control of the Minister what is the recurrent dollar savings of severances paid as part of the 60 severances in the 2002/2003 financial year? (2) How many severances is it estimated that (1) relates to? (3) In respect to (2) what is the estimated recurrent dollar savings arising from severances to be retained by agencies? (4) In respect to (2) what is the estimated recurrent dollar savings to be returned to Treasury? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(4) No decisions have been made about further severances or management initiated retirements in future years. GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, SENIOR EXECUTIVE SEVERANCES 660. Hon C L Edwardes to the Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Energy (1) In light of the State Government’s stated intention to cull at least 60 senior executive jobs over the next four years, for departments, agencies and statutory authorities under the control of the Deputy Premier what is the recurrent dollar savings of severances paid as part of the 60 severances in the 2003/2004 financial year?
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4425
(2) How many severances is it estimated that (1) relates to? (3) In respect to (2) what is the estimated recurrent dollar savings arising from severances to be retained by agencies? (4) In respect to (2) what is the estimated recurrent dollar savings to be returned to Treasury? Mr RIPPER replied: (1)-(4) No decisions have been made about further severances or management initiated retirements in future years. GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, SENIOR EXECUTIVE SEVERANCES 664. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Police; Emergency Services; Local Government; Minister assisting the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) In light of the State Government’s stated intention to cull at least 60 senior executive jobs over the next four years, for departments, agencies and statutory authorities under the control of the Minister what is the recurrent dollar savings of severances paid as part of the 60 severances in the 2003/2004 financial year? (2) How many severances is it estimated that (1) relates to? (3) In respect to (2) what is the estimated recurrent dollar savings arising from severances to be retained by agencies? (4) In respect to (2) what is the estimated recurrent dollar savings to be returned to Treasury? Mrs ROBERTS replied: Department of Local Government Fremantle Cemeteries Board Metropolitan Cemeteries Board; Western Australian Local Government Grants Commission; Keep Australia Beautiful (1) Nil. (2)-(4) Not applicable. Fire Brigade Superannuation Board (1)-(4) Not applicable - no severances. Fire and Emergency Services Authority There are no further jobs identified within FESA that fall within this initiative. Western Australia Police Service (1),(3)-(4) Not applicable. (2) Nil. Department of Transport (1)-(4) Nil GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, SENIOR EXECUTIVE SEVERANCES 665. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) In light of the State Government’s stated intention to cull at least 60 senior executive jobs over the next four years, for departments, agencies and statutory authorities under the control of the Minister what is the recurrent dollar savings of severances paid as part of the 60 severances in the 2003/2004 financial year? (2) How many severances is it estimated that (1) relates to? (3) In respect to (2) what is the estimated recurrent dollar savings arising from severances to be retained by agencies? (4) In respect to (2) what is the estimated recurrent dollar savings to be returned to Treasury? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(4) No decisions have been made about further severances or management initiated retirements in future years. GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, CONTRACT EMPLOYEES, PERMANENT STATUS 674. Hon P G Pendal to the Premier (1) Is it correct that you recently announced the granting of permanent status to Level 1 contract employees working with the public service for 12 months or more?
4426 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
(2) What is the rationale behind this move? (3) From what date will the permanent status apply? (4) Is it intended that permanent employment status will be also granted to contract workers on higher levels? (5) If so, when will an announcement be made? (6) If there is no plan to grant Level 2, and higher, contract workers the same permanent status as Level 1 contractors, what is this so? Dr GALLOP replied: (1) Yes. (2) The use of fixed term contracts has been under scrutiny for some time following reports from the Commissioner for Public Sector Standards highlighting concerns with how some public sector agencies managed contracts of service. (3) The date will vary from employee to employee, depending on when the conversion takes place, however, the conversion will involve no backdating as the effective date has no impact on an employee's entitlements. (4)-(6) This matter is still under consideration. PETROL TAX REVENUE, USE FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE 676. Mr Bradshaw to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure Will all monies received from the Federal Government from petrol taxes be used solely for road construction and road maintenance? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: The original State fuel levy was replaced by the safety net revenue scheme in September 1997, following a High Court decision which determined that the levy was illegal. However, when the GST was introduced in July 2000, it replaced many State taxes, including the safety net revenue scheme. The Commonwealth grants under the GST are provided to the State Government as untied grants. In accordance with the above arrangements, the State Government appropriates a level of funds to Main Roads WA that is consistent with current priorities and fiscal parameters. Roads continue to be a priority to the State Government and, in this regard, election commitments and existing contracts will be honoured. However, it should also be remembered that, under the arrangement with the Commonwealth, the Government retains the discretion to redirect funds to other priorities such as health, education, and law and order. TIMBER ROYALTIES, REDUCTION 682. Mr Masters to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage (1) Will the recently announced indicative logging levels after 2003 result in reduced overall royalty payments to the Department of Conservation / Forests Products Commission? (2) If yes, what are the indicative royalty payment reductions? (3) Is it true that in the past significant a proportion of timber royalties was spent on forest management activities not directly related to regrowth and management of logged areas of forest? (4) Will any shortfall in timber royalties that would otherwise have been allocated to uses other than the regrowth or management of logged forest areas be provided to the Department of Conservation from general revenue? Dr EDWARDS replied: (1) No royalty payments for logging of native forest are made to the Department of Conservation and Land Management. The Forest Products Commission is a separate statutory authority under the control of the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. (2) Not applicable to the Department of Conservation and Land Management. (3) Yes. (4) Consolidated Fund budgets for the Department of Conservation and Land Management are independent of logging levels. Budgets are regularly reviewed and discussed by the Department with the Department of Treasury and Finance. LEEUWIN NATURALISTE NATIONAL PARK, ENTRY FEES 688. Mr Masters to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage (1) How much money was collected, via entry fees into the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park for each of the years that entry fees were in force?
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(2) How much money or in kind works was provided by each of the Shires of Busselton and Augusta Margaret River as per their agreements with the former Department of CALM that were negotiated as part of the National Park entry fee arrangements? (3) Will the Department of Conservation receive additional funding to make up for the loss of entry fee income and for the loss of financial and / or in kind support from the two affected shires? Dr EDWARDS replied: (1) 1998/99 estimated $ 60 000 ) including direct entry fees and park 1999/00 estimated $120 000 ) passes sold offsite 2000/01 estimated $ 88 000 ) Total $268 000 (2) Inkind works provided by Shires: Shire of Augusta-Margaret River $120 000 Shire of Busselton $242 000 (3) Yes LEEUWIN NATURALISTE STATEMENT OF PLANNING POLICY, REPEAL 698. Mr Masters to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) In reference to the Premier’s pre election commitment to ‘repeal the Leeuwin Naturaliste Statement of Planning Policy and have it reviewed as a matter of urgency’ when will the Minister meet with the Shire of Busselton to discuss this issue, recognising that the Shire has not been able to arrange an appointment in spite of their letter written on 19 February? (2) Does the Minister intend to repeal the entire Statement of Planning Policy? (3) If not, will the Minister review that section of the policy that refers to the larger Smith’s Beach area or just Location 413? (4) If just Location 413, what justification can be provided for this decision, recognising that the draft policy referred to development potential of the larger Smith’s Beach area? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1) In relation to this issue, I met with representatives of the Shire of Busselton, the developers, Smiths Beach Action Group and the Ministry for Planning in Bunbury on Wednesday 25th July 2001. (2) No. (3) No. The policy will be reviewed as it relates to Location 413. (4) The eastern boundary of Location 413 lies along Smiths Beach Road. Neither the Shire of Busselton nor the Smiths Beach Action Group are in favour of expanding the Development Investigation Area to the east of Smiths Beach Road. The road forms a logical boundary which will mitigate against further development sprawl to the east of the road. ROAD SAFETY, B-DOUBLE TRUCKS 702. Mr Masters to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) Did the Minister consider the recent research from the University of Michigan finding that 70% of fatal crashes involving heavy trucks are caused by passenger vehicles when proposing to restrict the number of B-Double and other large trucks on Western Australian roads? (2) Would the Minister’s proposal put more small trucks on Western Australian roads and hence cause more fatal and other accidents involving passenger vehicles? (3) What road safety considerations did the Minister consider as part of the decision to restrict large articulated trucks on Western Australian roads? (4) What increase in fatal and serious accidents is estimated to occur if more smaller trucks be used to replace the B- Double and other large trucks on Western Australian roads? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(4) The Government considers any lives lost on our roads to be unacceptable, regardless of the cause. It is committed to identifying any road safety problems and finding the best solutions for industry, road users and the wider community. To this end, the Government has consulted extensively with industry and the community in the course of the current review of road freight in Western Australia. All issues arising from these consultations are being addressed in the review.
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The Government is developing proposals to make freight movement safer, more efficient and less obtrusive. This does not equate to simply banning larger vehicles from existing routes and increasing the use of smaller trucks. Instead, the Government is investigating a wide range of measures, including: - designation of significant freight roads; - building / upgrading these designated freight roads so that they can handle trucks more safely, more efficiently and less obtrusively; - the wider use of rail transport, where appropriate; - exploiting new road-rail technologies; - the use of Performance Based Standards to optimise transport efficiency without adversely affecting safety or the environment; - increasing the safety and professionalism of the freight industry by boosting the enforcement effort and requiring accreditation of heavy haulage operators; - providing industry, local government and the community with a greater say in the development of road freight in this State. SANDALWOOD HARVEST 709. Mr Masters to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage (1) What tonnage of naturally grown (as opposed to plantation grown) sandalwood has been harvested in Western Australia over each of the last 5 years? (2) From what regions of Western Australia were these amounts harvested for the last reporting year? (3) What research has been carried out to determine the sustainable yield of sandalwood from Crown Land in Western Australia? (4) Has this research taken into effect the possible variations in climate due to the enhanced greenhouse effect? (5) In general, what is the average age to harvest for sandalwood? (6) Is sandalwood harvesting permitted from National Parks, Nature Reserves, Conservation Reserves or other Crown Land set aside for nature conservation purposes? (7) Where sandalwood is harvested from pastoral stations, what involvement does the station lessee have in setting conditions, providing advice and generally being consulted in determining the conditions and harvesting rates of sandalwood from their station? Dr EDWARDS replied: 1. Crown land harvest of sandalwood has been: 1995/1996 1900 tonnes 1996/1997 1771 tonnes 1997/1998 1653 tonnes 1998/1999 1730 tonnes 1999/2000 1390 tonnes 2000/2001 Forest Products Commission data not yet available 2. Sandalwood harvesting primarily occurs through the Gascoyne, Murchison and Goldfields regions. 3. Sandalwood inventories have been carried out over the periods 1980-84 and 1995-99. Research into the reproductive biology, regeneration and management of sandalwood has been undertaken over the past three decades. A current research program into the characteristics of sandalwood regeneration was commenced by the Department of Conservation and Land Management in 1996. Trials have been established at Paynes Find and Menzies, investigating the factors affecting sandalwood recruitment, including grazing, seed dispersal, host species and harvesting. Research has also been undertaken into management practices associated with harvesting, to develop management strategies to improve sandalwood regeneration in areas being harvested. 4. No 5. Sandalwood may take between 20 and over 100 years to reach commercial size, depending on site and seasonal factors. 6. No 7. The pastoral lessee does not have any involvement in the setting of conditions and rates of harvesting of sandalwood. A code of practice provides for advice to be provided to pastoralists regarding harvesting activities, and minimises impacts of harvesting on pastoral activities.
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GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, ABOLITION, AMALGAMATION AND NAME CHANGES 713. Dr Constable to the Premier; Minister for Public Sector Management; Federal Affairs; Science; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests (1) How many Government departments under the new Government's administration will - (a) be abolished; (b) be amalgamated; and / or (c) undergo a name change? (2) What are the total estimated costs to the Government for- (a) each departmental abolition; (b) each amalgamation; and / or (c) each name change? (3) What is the cost of the following changes necessary for each new department - (a) reprinting of all departmental stationery; (b) changes to departmental signage; and / or (c) website re-design? (4) What will happen to the stationery of the former departments which are made obsolete by abolitions, amalgamations and name changes of departments instigated by the Government? Dr GALLOP replied: (1) In implementing the recommendations of the Machinery of Government Taskforce report it is anticipated that in total :- (a) 22 departments will be abolished (b) 3 departments will be amalgamated, and (c) 19 departments will undergo a name change. (2)-(4) The costs of implementation of the Machinery of Government changes will be minimal. Agencies have been instructed to avoid waste and contain expenditure including continuing to use stationery even where there has been a change of department name. MINISTERS OF THE CROWN, STAFF AND OFFICES 715. Dr Constable to the Premier; Minister for Public Sector Management; Federal Affairs; Science; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests (1) How many people are employed on your ministerial staff? (2) Where are the offices in which your ministerial staff members are accommodated? (3) How much does it cost to rent the office space identified in (2) each financial year? Dr GALLOP replied: As at 18/9/2001: (1) Nineteen. (2) 24th Floor, Governor Stirling Tower, 197 St George's Terrace, Perth. (3) $226,340 MINISTERS OF THE CROWN, STAFF AND OFFICES 717. Dr Constable to the Attorney General; Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs; Electoral Affairs; Peel and the South West (1) How many people are employed on your ministerial staff? (2) Where are the offices in which your ministerial staff members are accommodated? (3) How much does it cost to rent the office space identified in (2) each financial year? Mr McGINTY replied: As at 18/09/01 (1) 10
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(2) 30th floor, Allendale Square, St George's Terrace, Perth, WA (3) $135,750 MINISTERS OF THE CROWN, STAFF AND OFFICES 719. Dr Constable to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage (1) How many people are employed on your ministerial staff? (2) Where are the offices in which your ministerial staff members are accommodated? (3) How much does it cost to rent the office space identified in (2) each financial year? Dr EDWARDS replied: As at the 18 September 2001: 1. 11 2. Level 29, Allendale Square, 77 St George's Terrace, Perth. 3. $151,902.
MINISTERS OF THE CROWN, STAFF AND OFFICES 721. Dr Constable to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) How many people are employed on your ministerial staff? (2) Where are the offices in which your ministerial staff members are accommodated? (3) How much does it cost to rent the office space identified in (2) each financial year? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: As at 18 September 2001 1. 12 2. Dumas House 3. $123,344
MINISTERS OF THE CROWN, STAFF AND OFFICES 722. Dr Constable to the Minister for State Development; Tourism; Small Business (1) How many people are employed on your ministerial staff? (2) Where are the offices in which your ministerial staff members are accommodated? (3) How much does it cost to rent the office space identified in (2) each financial year? Mr BROWN replied: I am advised that as at 18 September 2001: 1. 12. 2. Level 19, 197 St Georges Terrace, Perth. 3. Approximately $198,081.00.
MINISTERS OF THE CROWN, STAFF AND OFFICES 723. Dr Constable to the Minister for Education; Sport and Recreation; Indigenous Affairs (1) How many people are employed on your ministerial staff? (2) Where are the offices in which your ministerial staff members are accommodated? (3) How much does it cost to rent the office space identified in (2) each financial year? Mr CARPENTER replied: As at 18 September 2001: (1) Ten (2) 12th Floor, Dumas House, 2 Havelock Street, West Perth. (3) Approximately $137,808 per annum
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4431
MINISTERS OF THE CROWN, STAFF AND OFFICES 724. Dr Constable to the Minister for Community Development, Women's Interests, Seniors and Youth; Disability Services; Culture and the Arts (1) How many people are employed on your ministerial staff? (2) Where are the offices in which your ministerial staff members are accommodated? (3) How much does it cost to rent the office space identified in (2) each financial year? Ms McHALE replied: As at 18 September 2001: (1) 11 (2) 12th Floor, Dumas House, 2 Havelock Street, West Perth (3) $132,858.00 per financial year
MINISTERS OF THE CROWN, STAFF AND OFFICES 725. Dr Constable to the Minister for Health (1) How many people are employed on your ministerial staff? (2) Where are the offices in which your ministerial staff members are accommodated? (3) How much does it cost to rent the office space identified in (2) each financial year? Mr KUCERA replied: As at the 18/9/2001: (1) 10 (2) Ministerial staff are accommodated on the 10th floor, Dumas House, 2 Havelock Street, West Perth (3) The annual rent for this office space is $89,297
MINISTERS OF THE CROWN, STAFF AND OFFICES 726. Dr Constable to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; the Midwest, Wheatbelt and Great Southern (1) How many people are employed on your ministerial staff? (2) Where are the offices in which your ministerial staff members are accommodated? (3) How much does it cost to rent the office space identified in (2) each financial year? Mr LOGAN replied: As at 18 September 2001: 1. 12 2. 11th Floor, Dumas House, 2 Havelock Street, West Perth 3. Approximately $121,176 per annum
MINISTERS OF THE CROWN, STAFF AND OFFICES 727. Dr Constable to the Minister representing the Minister for Housing and Works; Local Government and Regional Development; the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne (1) How many people are employed on your ministerial staff? (2) Where are the offices in which your ministerial staff members are accommodated? (3) How much does it cost to rent the office space identified in (2) each financial year? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: As at 18 September 2001: (1) 10 (2) 11th Floor West, Dumas House, 2 Havelock Street, WEST PERTH (3) $98,406
4432 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
COMMITTEES AND BOARDS, APPOINTMENTS AND REMUNERATION 730. Dr Constable to the Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Energy (1) What appointments to government boards and committees under your portfolios have been made since 10 February 2001? (2) What is the term of appointment and remuneration for each person appointed to these boards and committees? Mr RIPPER replied: Treasury (1) None (2) Not applicable WA Treasury Corporation (1) Reappointment of members of the Board of Western Australian Treasury Corporation. (2) W C Heron, C A Nance and D R Eiszele reappointed on 15 July 2001 to 31 December 2001 on remuneration of $31,000 per annum. Office of the Auditor General (1) None (2) Not applicable Western Power Corporation (1) Ms J A Seabrook to the Western Power Board (2) Ms J A Seabrook for a three year term to expire 30 June 2004 - salary $37,750 Office of Energy (1) & (2) Gas Retail Deregulation Project Steering Group Les Farrant, Office of Energy (Chairman) Richard Harris, Office of Energy Gary Ireson, Wesfarmers Kleenheat Sue Ortenstone, Epic Energy Thomas Melsom, AGL Energy Sales & Marketing David King, CMS Gas Transmission Australia Ian Devenish, AlintaGas Limited Networks Pty Ltd Donald MacKenzie, AlintaGas Sales Pty Ltd Andrew Dimsey, Origin Energy Gary Newcombe, Department of Consumer and Employment Protection Matthew Crooke, Treasury Bill Sashegyi, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, WA Russell Stephenson, Apache Energy Limited Under the Terms of Reference, the members of the Gas Retail Deregulation Steering Group have been appointed until the conclusion of the project (currently scheduled for 1 July 2002). No members of the Steering Group are receiving remuneration for their position on the Steering Group. Electricity Reform Task Force John Hyslop (Chairman) Frank Harman John Kelly Les Farrant, Office of Energy (Vince Walsh as alternate) The Minister announced appointments to the Electricity Reform Task Force on 16 August 2001. Remuneration of members of the Task Force is currently being determined. Office of Gas Access Regulation (1) None (2) Not applicable
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4433
International Centre for the Application of Solar Energy The following appointments have been made to the Perth International Centre for Application of Solar Energy Board since 17 August 2001. (1) Dr Les Farrant (Office of Energy) as an Alternate Director for the Board effective 17 August 2001. (2) No remuneration is applicable to Government employee appointments to the CASE Board. The term of appointment is until December 2002. COMMITTEES AND BOARDS, APPOINTMENTS AND REMUNERATION 731. Dr Constable to the Attorney General; Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs; Electoral Affairs; Peel and the South West (1) What appointments to government boards and committees under your portfolios have been made since 10 February 2001? (2) What is the term of appointment and remuneration for each person appointed to these boards and committees? Mr McGINTY replied: (1)-(2) 1. Equal Opportunity Tribunal Ms Lynnley McGrath (Member) Appointed 12/7/2001 Expires 31/12/2002 REMUNERATION: half day $73, full day $110. Dr Christina Gillgren (Member) Appointed 12/7/2001 Expires 31/12/2002 REMUNERATION: half day $73, full day $110. 2. Mentally Impaired Defendants Review Board NOTE: The three members listed below were automatically appointed to this board when appointed to the Parole Board. Justice Terence A Walsh (Chairperson) Appointed 24/7/2001 Expires 31/12/2001 REMUNERATION: Part Time, 40% Supreme Court Judges Salary. Mr Neil Morgan (Community Representative) Appointed 1/5/2001 Expires 7/4/2003 REMUNERATION: Rate up to 4 hours $123, full day $186. Ms Joyleen Koolmatrie (Community Representative) Appointed 1/5/2001 Expires 7/4/2003 REMUNERATION: Rate up to 4 hours $123, full day $186. 3. Parole Board Justice Terence A Walsh (Chairperson) Appointed 24/7/2001 Expires 31/12/2001 REMUNERATION: Part Time, 40% Supreme Court Judges Salary. Mr Neil Morgan (Community Representative) Appointed 1/5/2001 Expires 7/4/2003 REMUNERATION: Rate up to 4 hours $123, full day $186. Note: plus $123 for Pre Hearing reading PAROLE BOARD ONLY. Ms Joyleen Koolmatrie (Community Representative) Appointed 1/5/2001 Expires 7/4/2003 REMUNERATION: Rate up to 4 hours $123, full day $186. Note: plus $123 for Pre Hearing reading PAROLE BOARD ONLY. Mrs Andrea J Thompson (Deputy Community Representative) Appointed 17/4/2001 Expires 7/4/2003 REMUNERATION: Rate up to 4 hours $123, full day $186. Note: plus $123 for Pre Hearing reading PAROLE BOARD ONLY. Ms Christabel Charmarette (Deputy Community Representative) Appointed 17/4/2001 Expires 7/4/2003 REMUNERATION: Rate up to 4 hours $123, full day $186. Note: plus $123 for Pre Hearing reading PAROLE BOARD ONLY.
4434 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
4. Strata Titles Referee Mr Robert J Kronberger (Referee) Appointed 9/4/2001 Expires 9/4/2004 REMUNERATION: Part Time, $85 per hour. 5. Supervised Release Review Board Insp W Mitchell Cabinet Approval 9/4/01 Appointed to 31/12/01 Remuneration – Nil 6. Professional Standards Council Steven Cole, Hugh Plaistowe Appointed 20/2 – 19/5/2001 Remuneration – $385 per meeting, plus air fares paid for meetings in Sydney 7. Appeal Costs Board Robert Cock QC – Chairperson Appointed to 31/12/2001 Remuneration – Nil Maria Saraceni – Member Appointed to 31/12/2001 Remuneration - $180 per hour 8. Civil & Administrative Review Tribunal Taskforce Michael Barber QC (Chair), Linda Savage Davis, Peter Johnston, John Young, Gary Thompson, Steve Kay Appointments from April 2001 – October 2001 Remuneration – Nil 9. Gay & Lesbian Law Reform Ministerial Committee Margaret Quirk (MLA), Merrilee Garnett (Attorney General’s Office), Mala Dharmananda, Graham Brown, Vivienne Cass, Maxine Drake, Heather Ellis, Christopher Kendall, Dennis Madden, Damian Meyer, Louise Pratt (MLC), Robert Smith, Shaun Temby, Midge Turnbull, Giz Watson (MLC) Appointed from March – June 2001 Remuneration - Nil
COMMITTEES AND BOARDS, APPOINTMENTS AND REMUNERATION 732. Dr Constable to the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection; Training (1) What appointments to government boards and committees under your portfolios have been made since 10 February 2001? (2) What is the term of appointment and remuneration for each person appointed to these boards and committees? Mr KOBELKE replied: CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION (1) Bill Goddard Real Estate & Business Agents Supervisory Board Paul Druitt Real Estate & Business Agents Supervisory Board Greg Gaunt Settlement Agents Supervisory Board Darryll Retallack Builders’ Registration Board Murray Lilleyman Builders’ Registration Board Neville Harrison Builders’ Registration Board
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4435
Suzanne Churn Builders’ Registration Board Kevin Giudice Builders’ Registration Board Ronald Slobe Builders’ Registration Board Patrick Pinder Builders’ Registration Board Frederick Smith Painters’ Registration Board Jennifer Harrison Painters’ Registration Board Anne Driscoll Consumer Product Safety Committee Nicholas Forgione Consumer Product Safety Committee Sharon Ivey Consumer Product Safety Committee Brian Reynolds Consumer Product Safety Committee Robert Hooper Consumer Product Safety Committee Rex Milligan Consumer Product Safety Committee Tony Minuta Consumer Product Safety Committee Sue Wicks Consumer Product Safety Committee Roger Guinery Home Buyers Assistance Advisory Committee Peter Rice Home Buyers Assistance Advisory Committee Fay Francis Home Buyers Assistance Advisory Committee Frank Evangelista Home Buyers Assistance Advisory Committee Rona Okely Motor Vehicle Dealers Licensing Board David Moir Motor Vehicle Dealers Licensing Board Peter Dunton Motor Vehicle Dealers Licensing Board Neville Harrison Building Disputes Committee Suzanne Churn Building Disputes Committee Gordon Prunster Building Disputes Committee Darryll Retallack Building Disputes Committee
4436 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
Murray Lilleyman Building Disputes Committee Steven Peck Building Disputes Committee John Bray Building Disputes Committee Andrew Stavrianou Building Disputes Committee Clive Raymond Building Disputes Committee David Forrester Building Disputes Committee Glenda Lewis Building Disputes Committee Ida Southall Building Disputes Committee (2) 27 April 2001 – 26 April 2005 $266/full day $176/half day 27 April 2001 – 26 April 2005 $266/full day $176/half day 9 July 2001 – 31 December 2001 $399/full day $266/half day 31 March 2001 – 31 December 2001 $186/full day $123/half day 31 March 2001 – 31 December 2001 $186/full day $123/half day 31 March 2001 – 31 December 2001 186/full day 123/half day 31 March 2001 – 31 December 2001 186/full day 123/half day 31 March 2001 – 31 December 2001 186/full day $123/half day 31 March 2001 – 31 December 2001 186/full day 123/half day 10 July 2001 – 31 December 2001 $186/full day $123/half day 10 May 2001 – 31 December 2001 $186/full day $123/half day 10 May 2001 – 31 December 2001 $186/full day $123/half day
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4437
30 April 2001 – 31 December 2001 None 30 April 2001 – 31 December 2001 $186/full day $123/half day 30 April 2001 – 31 December 2001 $186/full day $123/half day 30 April 2001 – 31 December 2001 $186/full day $123/half day 30 April 2001 – 31 December 2001 $186/full day $123/half day 30 April 2001 – 31 December 2001 None 30 April 2001 – 31 December 2001 None 30 April 2001 – 31 December 2001 $186/full day $123/half day 21 June 2001 – 31 December 2001 None 21 June 2001 – 31 December 2001 None 21 June 2001 – 31 December 2001 $266/full day $176/half day 21 June 2001 – 31 December 2001 $266/full day $176/half day 1 April 2001 – 31 March 2004 $280/full day $185/half day 1 April 2001 – 31 March 2004 $186/full day $123/half day 1 April 2001 – 31 March 2004 $186/full day $123/half day 19 April 2001 – 31 December 2001 $50/hour 19 April 2001 – 31 December 2001 $50/hour 19 April 2001 – 31 December 2001 $50/hour 19 April 2001 – 31 December 2001 $50/hour 19 April 2001 – 31 December 2001 $50/hour 19 April 2001 – 31 December 2001 $50/hour
4438 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
19 April 2001 – 31 December 2001 $50/hour 30 April 2001 – 31 December 2001 $150/hour 30 April 2001 – 31 December 2001 $150/hour 30 April 2001 – 31 December 2001 $150/hour 30 April 2001 – 31 December 2001 $50/hour 30 April 2001 – 31 December 2001 $50/hour LABOUR RELATIONS DIVISION (1) None. (2) Not applicable. WORKSAFE WA DIVISION (1) Two appointments have been made - Mr Albert Koenig to fill a casual vacancy created by the retirement of Mr Peter Shaw from the WorkSafe Western Australia Commission. Mr John Tootell to fill a casual vacancy created by the resignation of Mr Graham Greig from office as a member of the WorkSafe Western Australia Commission. (2) The terms of both members expire 3 April 2003. Mr Koenig is an officer of the Public Service and receives no remuneration as a member of the WorkSafe Western Australia Commission. Mr Tootell receives a sitting fee of $123 per half-day and $186 per full-day. WORKCOVER WA (1) The following appointments have been made to the Insurer Advisory Committee: Mr Daryl Glen Cameron Mr Brendan Patrick McCarthy Ms Linda Caroline Thompson (2) Appointments were made for a period of 12 months expiring 30 June 2002. Under the provisions of the Employers’ Indemnity Supplementation Fund Act 1980 Members are not eligible for remuneration. WA INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION (1) None (2) Not applicable COMMISSIONER OF WORKPLACE AGREEMENTS (1) None (2) Not applicable CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LONG SERVICE LEAVE PAYMENTS BOARD (1) None (2) Not applicable WA DEPARTMENT OF TRAINING (1)-(2) Ms Teresa Borwick State Training Board Appointment to 31/12/01 Annual Fee: $8750 Hon Malcolm John Bryce AO Central TAFE Governing Council Appointment to 31/12/03 Annual Fee: Nil
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4439
Ms Glenda Elaine Martinick Central TAFE Governing Council Appointment to 31/12/03 Annual Fee: Nil Ms Alison Gwenda Woodman C Y O’Connor College of TAFE Interim Governing Council Appointment to 31/12/01 Annual Fee: Nil Mr Steven Bruce Pollard C Y O’Connor College of TAFE Interim Governing Council Appointment to 31/12/01 Annual Fee: Nil Ms Diane Joan Tinnetti C Y O’Connor College of TAFE Interim Governing Council Appointment to 31/12/01 Annual Fee: Nil Mr James McKinley Baker OAM JP C Y O’Connor College of TAFE Interim Governing Council Appointment to 31/12/01 Annual Fee: Nil Mr Peter James Trefort C Y O’Connor College of TAFE Interim Governing Council Appointment to 31/12/01 Annual Fee: Nil Ms Sylvia Janet Brandenburg C Y O’Connor College of TAFE Interim Governing Council Appointment to 31/12/01 Annual Fee: Nil
COMMITTEES AND BOARDS, APPOINTMENTS AND REMUNERATION 739. Dr Constable to the Minister for Health (1) What appointments to government boards and committees under your portfolios have been made since 10 February 2001? (2) What is the term of appointment and remuneration for each person appointed to these boards and committees? Mr KUCERA replied: (1)-(2) Council of Official Visitors All appointed 9/4/01 Mr Adrian Ronald Gavranich to 7/4/04 Mrs Sheila Anne Stephens to 7/4/04 Ms Edana Lesley McGrath to 7/4/04 Ms Sandra Leigh Brown to 7/4/03 Mr Kevin Daniel Hogg to 7/4/03 Mrs Maxinne Cosham Sclanders to 7/4/03 Ms Jane Ensor to 7/4/03 Mrs Cushla Leech to 7/4/03 Mr Michael Wright to 7/4/03 Remuneration-$131 full day, $86 half day for all members. Mental Health Review Board Dr Christine Lawson-Smith Appointed 7/8/01 to 12/11/02 Remuneration-$660 full day or part there of. Western Australian Reproductive Technology Council Ms Amalia Burmas Appointed 14/7/01 (ex-officio) No remuneration.
4440 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
Quadriplegic Centre Board Mr Robert Weir Dunn Appointed 17/4/01 to 30/9/01 No remuneration. Corrigin District Hospital Board Mr Ian Cameron Campbell Appointed 17/4/01 to 30/9/01 No remuneration. COMMITTEES AND BOARDS, APPOINTMENTS AND REMUNERATION 740. Dr Constable to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; the Midwest, Wheatbelt and Great Southern (1) What appointments to government boards and committees under your portfolios have been made since 10 February 2001? (2) What is the term of appointment and remuneration for each person appointed to these boards and committees? Mr LOGAN replied: As there are in excess of 200 boards and committees under my portfolios, provision of this information would require considerable research which would divert staff away from their normal duties and I am not prepared to allocate departmental resources to provide a response. If the Member has specific inquiry, I would be pleased to provide a reply. COMMITTEES AND BOARDS, APPOINTMENTS AND REMUNERATION 742. Dr Constable to the Minister representing the Minister for Racing and Gaming; Government Enterprises; Goldfields-Esperance (1) What appointments to government boards and committees under your portfolios have been made since 10 February 2001? (2) What is the term of appointment and remuneration for each person appointed to these boards and committees? Mr RIPPER replied: AQWEST BUNBURY WATER BOARD 1. None to AQWEST 2. AQWEST Board Members are appointed for 3 years and receive no remuneration BUSSELTON WATER BOARD (1) Nil – see comment (2) of question 777 (2) Not applicable- however, terms of members on Busselton Water Board are of 3 years duration. Board members do not receive any remuneration. GOLDFIELDS-ESPERANCE DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (1) Nil (2) Not Applicable GOLD CORPORATION (1)-(2) (a) Mr Peter Unsworth, Chairman 36 Months $60,000 (b) Mr Peter Lalor, Non-Executive Director 36 Months $35,000 (c) Ms Martine Pop, Non-Executive Director 36 Months $35,000 (d) Ms Valerie Davies, Non-Executive Director 36 Months $35,000 (e) Mr Don Mackay-Coghill, Chief Executive Officer 36 Months N/A (f) The Under Treasurer is also a Director ex officio GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES SUPERANNUATION BOARD (1) None (2) Not applicable INSURANCE COMMISSION WA (1) Vic Evans, Managing Director, Insurance Commission of Western Australia re-appointed as Commissioner 'ex officio' of the Board of Commissioners, Insurance Commission of Western Australia.
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4441
(2) Period of 5 years expiring on 21 June 2006. Board remuneration is Nil due to his re-appointment as Commissioner 'ex officio' of the Board of Commissioners. LOTTERIES COMMISSION (1) Mrs Anne Conti was appointed to the Board of the Lotteries Commission on 1 May 2001. (2) Mrs Anne Conti: until 31 December at rate of $8,800.00 per annum. RACING AND GAMING 1. & 2. Appointments to boards and committees since 10 February 2001 and remuneration for each appointment Racecourse Development Trust Kenneth John Tilbrook (Member) 02/05/2001-31/07/2003 F/Day $239 1/2 Day$158 David M Fuller (Deputy Member) 2/05/2001- 31/07/2003 Totalisator Agency Board NAME APPOINTMENT EXPIRY REMUNERATION DATE DATE John Vincent Yovich (Deputy Chairperson) 28/06/01 31/07/02 $15,000 P/A Valerie Anne Davies (Member) 28/06/01 31/12/01 $15,000 P/A Ross Alan Cooper (Member) 28/06/01 31/12/02 $15,000 P/A Ian McFarlane (Member) 28/06/01 31/12/01 $15,000 P/A Judith McGowan (Member) 28/06/01 31/12/02 $15,000 P/A Mike Ryan (Member) 07/08/01 31/12/02 $15,000 P/A Nena Snooks (Member) 07/08/01 31/12/02 $15,000 P/A WA Greyhound Racing Association Joseph Edward Karasek (Chairman) 02/06/01 31/12/01 $11,800 P/A Geoffrey Alfred Martin (Member) 02/06/ 01 31/12/01 $5,400 P/A Burswood Park Board Thomas Andrew Wilson (Member) 01/08/01 31/07/04 $3,500 P/A WATER CORPORATION (1) Nil (2) Not applicable
TREE TOP WALK, MANJIMUP 749. Hon M G House to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage (1) Has the Government committed funding to construct a Tree Top Walk in the Shire of Manjimup? (2) If so, how much funding has been allocated? (3) Has the Government undertaken an impact study to determine what adverse effects introducing a tree top walk in Manjimup may have on the already established Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk in the Shire of Denmark? (4) If an impact study has been undertaken, will the Minister release the report? (5) If an impact study has not been carried out, will the Minister ensure that such a study is undertaken before finalising any plans for a second tree top walk? Dr EDWARDS replied: (1) The previous Coalition Government proposed a major tourism development in the Donnelly Valley as part of the adjustment package of the Regional Forest Agreement. In 2000 a public competition was held, and from more than seventy entries, a sky jetty and river walkway emerged as the preferred development. The Commonwealth Government has reneged on its commitment to fund the project approved by the previous Government, leaving stranded the high expectations in the community of Manjimup. This Government has agreed to provide matching funding, should the Shire of Manjimup be successful in obtaining a matching Commonwealth grant to build the structure. (2) The Shire of Manjimup is applying for a $1million infrastructure grant.
4442 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
(3) No. However, as part of the Regional Forest Agreement, the previous Government produced a document called the Comprehensive Regional Assessment, which contained a chapter on Tourism and Recreation, and a section on development planning. (4) N/A (5) No. The proposal is for a sky jetty and river walkway, not a second tree top walk and as indicated has been developed following extensive community consultation. The momentum for this project is now with the community of Manjimup. The Walpole Wilderness Proposal, also a community driven proposal, is expected to have similar positive effects on the Denmark and Walpole communities. COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS, COST OF CONSULTANCY 750. Hon C L Edwardes to the Premier; Minister for Public Sector Management; Federal Affairs; Science; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests (1) Since 12 February 2001, has the national public relations firm Communications and Public Relations been engaged? (2) If so, for what purposes? (3) What was the cost of each consultancy? Dr GALLOP replied: I am advised that : (1) No. (2) Not applicable. (3) Not applicable. COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS, COST OF CONSULTANCY 751. Hon C L Edwardes to the Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Energy (1) Since 12 February 2001, has the national public relations firm Communications and Public Relations been engaged? (2) If so, for what purposes? (3) What was the cost of each consultancy? Mr RIPPER replied: Office of the Auditor General (1) No (2)-(3) Not applicable WA Treasury Corporation (1) No (2)-(3) Not applicable International Centre for the Application of Solar Energy (1) The public relations firm 'Communications and Public Relations' has not been engaged by the International Centre for Application of Solar Energy since 12 February 2001. (2)-(3) Not applicable Treasury (1) No (2)-(3) Not applicable Office of Energy (1) The Office of Energy has not engaged the firm Communications and Public Relations since 12 February 2001. (2)-(3) Not applicable Office of Gas Access Regulation (1) No (2)-(3) Not applicable
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4443
Western Power (1) No (2)-(3) Not Applicable COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS, COST OF CONSULTANCY 759. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Community Development, Women's Interests, Seniors and Youth; Disability Services; Culture and the Arts (1) Since 12 February 2001, has the national public relations firm Communications and Public Relations been engaged? (2) If so, for what purposes? (3) What was the cost of each consultancy? Ms McHALE replied: Disability Services Commission, Department of Culture and the Arts, Department for Community Development, Women's Interests, Seniors and Youth: (1) No (2) Not applicable (3) Not applicable COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS, COST OF CONSULTANCY 762. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister representing the Minister for Housing and Works; Local Government and Regional Development; the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne (1) Since 12 February 2001, has the national public relations firm Communications and Public Relations been engaged? (2) If so, for what purposes? (3) What was the cost of each consultancy? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: State Supply Commission (1)-(3) Not applicable Department of Local Government and Regional Development (1)-(3) Not applicable Department of Housing & Works Not applicable Kimberley Development Commission (1)-(3) Not applicable Pilbara Development Commission (1)-(3) Not applicable Gascoyne Development Commission (1)-(3) Not applicable COMMITTEES AND BOARDS, APPOINTMENTS 765. Hon C L Edwardes to the Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Energy (1) Will the Deputy Premier provide a detailed list of boards and committees under the Deputy Premier’s portfolios? (2) Who has the Deputy Premier appointed to these boards and committees since 12 February 2001? (3) To what boards and committees have each of the new appointees been appointed to and at what date? Mr RIPPER replied: Treasury (1) The Department of Treasury and Finance has no boards or committees.
4444 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
(2)-(3) Not applicable WA Treasury Corporation (1) Western Australian Treasury Corporation Board of Directors (2) Reappointed W Heron, C A Nance and D R Eiszele (3) Reappointed to the Board of Western Australian Treasury Corporation on 15 July 2001 Office of the Auditor General (1) None (2)-(3) Not applicable Western Power Corporation (1) Western Power Corporation Board (2) Ms Jennifer Seabrook (3) Ms J Seabrook, to Western Power Board from August 2001 Office of Energy (1) Gas Retail Deregulation Steering Group Underground Power Steering Committee Centre for Application of Solar Energy Alternative Energy Development Board Regional Power Procurement Steering Committee Electrical Licensing Board Electricity Access Steering Committee Electricity Reform Task Force (2)-(3) Gas Retail Deregulation Project Steering Group Les Farrant, Office of Energy (Chairman) Richard Harris, Office of Energy Gary Ireson, Wesfarmers Kleenheat Sue Ortenstone, Epic Energy Thomas Melsom, AGL Energy Sales & Marketing David King, CMS Gas Transmission Australia Ian Devenish, AlintaGas Limited Networks Pty Ltd Donald MacKenzie, AlintaGas Sales Pty Ltd Andrew Dimsey, Origin Energy Gary Newcombe, Department of Consumer and Employment Protection Matthew Crooke, Treasury Bill Sashegyi, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, WA Russell Stephenson, Apache Energy Limited Les Farrant was appointed as Chairman on 7 May 2001 and the other members were appointed on 3 July 2001, with the exception of Bill Sashegyi who was appointed on 8 August 2001. Underground Power Steering Group No new appointments have been made since 12 February 2001 Alternative Energy Development Board No new appointments have been made since 12 February 2001. Regional Power Procurement Steering Committee No new appointments have been made since 12 February 2001. Electrical Licensing Board No new appointments have been made since 12 February 2001. Electricity Access Steering Committee No new appointments have been made since 12 February 2001. Electricity Reform Task Force John Hyslop (Chairman) Frank Harman John Kelly Les Farrant, Office of Energy (Vince Walsh as alternate)
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4445
The Minister announced appointments to the Electricity Reform Task Force on 16 August 2001. Office of Gas Access Regulation (1) None. (2)-(3) Not applicable International Centre for the Application of Solar Energy (1) Boards and committees existing at CASE are the Perth International Centre for Application of Solar Energy Board and the associated Board sub-committees known as the Finance & Audit Committee and the Business Development Committee. (2) Dr Les Farrant (Office of Energy) appointment to the CASE Board as an Alternate Director, occurred since the 12 February 2001. (3) Dr Les Farrant appointment to the Perth International Centre for Application of Solar Energy Board was effective 17 August 2001. COMMITTEES AND BOARDS, APPOINTMENTS 766. Hon C L Edwardes to the Attorney General; Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs; Electoral Affairs; Peel and the South West (1) Will the Attorney General provide a detailed list of boards and committees under the Attorney General’s portfolios? (2) Who has the Attorney General appointed to these boards and committees since 12 February 2001? (3) To what boards and committees have each of the new appointees been appointed to and at what date? Mr McGINTY replied: ATTORNEY GENERAL (1) 1. Civil and Administration 2. Gay and Lesbian DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (1) 1. Appeal Costs Board 2. Censorship Office 3. Criminal Injuries Compensation 4. Commercial Tribunal 5. Commercial Tribunal Consumers Panel 6. Commercial Tribunal Credit Providers Panel 7. Commercial Tribunal Experts Panel 8. Commercial Tribunal Landlords Panel 9. Commercial Tribunal Tenants Panel 10. Commercial Tribunal Travel Agents Panel 11. Equal Opportunity Tribunal 12. Gender Reassignment Board 13. Guardianship and Administration Board 14. Law Reform Commission 15. Law Reporting Advisory Board 16. Legal Aid Commission 17. Legal Contribution Trust 18. Legal Costs Committee 19. Legal Practitioners Complaints Committee 20. Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal 21. Mentally Impaired Defendants Review Board 22. Parole Board 23. Prison Officers Appeal Tribunal 24. Professional Standards Council 25. Retirement Villages Disputes Tribunal 26. Small Claims Tribunal 27. Strata Titles Referee 28. Supervised Release Review Board (2) 1. Ms Lynnley McGrath 2. Dr Christina Gillgren
4446 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
3. Justice Terence A Walsh 4. Mr Neil Morgan 5. Ms Joyleen Koolmatrie 6. Mrs Andrea J Thompson 7. Ms Christabel Charmarette 8. Mr Robert J Kronberger (3) 1. Equal Opportunity Tribunal Ms Lynnley McGrath (Member) - appointed 12/7/2001 Dr Christina Gillgren (Member) - appointed 12/7/2001 2. Mentally Impaired Defendants Review Board NOTE: The three members listed below were automatically appointed to this board when appointed to the Parole Board. Justice Terence A Walsh (Chairperson) - appointed 24/7/2001 Mr Neil Morgan (Community Representative) - appointed 1/5/2001 Ms Joyleen Koolmatrie (Community Representative) - appointed 1/5/2001 3. Parole Board Justice Terence A Walsh (Chairperson) - appointed 24/7/2001 Mr Neil Morgan (Community Representative) - appointed 1/5/2001 Ms Joyleen Koolmatrie (Community Representative) - appointed 1/5/2001 Mrs Andrea J Thompson (Dy Community Representative) - appointed 17/4/2001 Ms Christabel Charmarette (Dy Community Representative) - appointed 17/4/2001 4. Strata Titles Referee Mr Robert J Kronberger (Referee) - appointed 9/4/2001 DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS (1)-(3) Not Applicable ELECTORAL COMMISSION (1)-(3) Not Applicable EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION (1)-(3) Not Applicable INFORMATION COMMISSIONER (1)-(3) Not Applicable INSPECTOR OF CUSTODIAL SERVICES (1)-(3) Not Applicable LEGAL AID (1) Legal Aid Commission (2) Nil (3) Not Applicable PEEL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (1) Peel Development Commission Board (2) Nil (3) Not Applicable SOUTH WEST DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (1) The South West Development Commission has a Board of Management. Membership of the SWDC Board is: Mr Stuart Morgan, AM – Chairman Mrs Carol Devitt – Deputy Chairman Dr Ken Robinson Mr Fred Drake-Brockman Mr Thomas Kuzman Mr Ted Thompson
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4447
Mrs Pauline McLeod Mr Michael Bennett (2) Nil (3) Not Applicable COMMITTEES AND BOARDS, APPOINTMENTS 767. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection; Training (1) Will the Minister provide a detailed list of boards and committees under the Minister’s portfolio? (2) Who has the Minister appointed to these boards and committees since 12 February 2001? (3) To what boards and committees have each of the new appointees been appointed to and at what date? Mr KOBELKE replied: CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION (1) Motor Vehicle Dealers Licensing Board Finance Brokers Supervisory Board Real Estate and Business Agents Supervisory Board Settlement Agents Supervisory Board Land Valuers Licensing Board Builders’ Registration Board Building Disputes Tribunal Painters’ Registration Board Charitable Collections Advisory Committee Retail Shops Advisory Committee Consumer Products Safety Committee Home Buyers Assistance Advisory Committee (2) Bill Goddard Paul Druitt Greg Gaunt Darryll Retallack Murray Lilleyman Neville Harrison Suzanne Churn Kevin Giudice Ronald Slobe Patrick Pinder Frederick Smith Jennifer Harrison Anne Driscoll Nicholas Forgione Sharon Ivey Brian Reynolds Robert Hooper Rex Milligan Tony Minuta Sue Wicks Roger Guinery Peter Rice Fay Francis Frank Evangelista Rona Okely David Moir Peter Dunton Neville Harrison Suzanne Churn Gordon Prunster Darryll Retallack Murray Lilleyman Steven Peck John Bray
4448 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
Andrew Stavrianou Clive Raymond David Forrester Glenda Lewis Ida Southall (3) Real Estate & Business Agents Supervisory Board 27 April 2001 Real Estate & Business Agents Supervisory Board 27 April 2001 Settlement Agents Supervisory Board 9 July 2001 Builders’ Registration Board 31 March 2001 Builders’ Registration Board 31 March 2001 Builders’ Registration Board 31 March 2001 Builders’ Registration Board 31 March 2001 Builders’ Registration Board 31 March 2001 Builders’ Registration Board 31 March 2001 Builders’ Registration Board 10 July 2001 Painters’ Registration Board 10 May 2001 Painters’ Registration Board 10 May 2001 Consumer Product Safety Committee 30 April 2001 Consumer Product Safety Committee 30 April 2001 Consumer Product Safety Committee 30 April 2001 Consumer Product Safety Committee 30 April 2001 Consumer Product Safety Committee 30 April 2001 Consumer Product Safety Committee 30 April 2001 Consumer Product Safety Committee 30 April 2001 Consumer Product Safety Committee 30 April 2001 Home Buyers Assistance Advisory Committee 21 June 2001 Home Buyers Assistance Advisory Committee 21 June 2001 Home Buyers Assistance Advisory Committee 21 June 2001
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4449
Home Buyers Assistance Advisory Committee 21 June 2001 Motor Vehicle Dealers Licensing Board 1 April 2001 Motor Vehicle Dealers Licensing Board 1 April 2001 Motor Vehicle Dealers Licensing Board 1 April 2001 Building Disputes Committee 19 April 2001 Building Disputes Committee 19 April 2001 Building Disputes Committee 19 April 2001 Building Disputes Committee 19 April 2001 Building Disputes Committee 19 April 2001 Building Disputes Committee 19 April 2001 Building Disputes Committee 19 April 2001 Building Disputes Committee 30 April 2001 Building Disputes Committee 30 April 2001 Building Disputes Committee 30 April 2001 Building Disputes Committee 30 April 2001 Building Disputes Committee 30 April 2001 LABOUR RELATIONS DIVISION (1) Construction Industry Long Service Leave Payments Board Railways Classification Board (2) No appointments have been made to the above boards since 12 February 2001 (3) Not applicable WORKSAFE WA DIVISION (1) WorkSafe Western Australia Commission (2)-(3) Two appointments have been made - Mr Albert Koenig on 18 June 2001 to fill a casual vacancy created by the retirement of Mr Peter Shaw from the WorkSafe Western Australia Commission. Mr John Tootell on 26 June 2001 to fill a casual vacancy created by the resignation of Mr Graham Greig from office as a member of the WorkSafe Western Australia Commission. The terms of both members expire 3 April 2003. WORKCOVER WA (1) Yes, Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Commission; Premium Rates Committee; and Insurer Advisory Committee. (2) Mr Daryl Glen Cameron Mr Brendan Patrick McCarthy Ms Linda Caroline Thompson
4450 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
(3) Appointments were made to the Insurer Advisory Committee for a period of 12 months expiring 30 June 2002. WA INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION (1) Nil (2) Nil (3) Not applicable COMMISSIONER OF WORKPLACE AGREEMENTS (1) Not applicable (2) Not applicable (3) Not applicable CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LONG SERVICE LEAVE PAYMENTS BOARD (1) Construction Industry Long Service Leave Payments Board. (2) None (3) Not Applicable WA DEPARTMENT OF TRAINING (1) State Training Board Training Accreditation Council Hairdressers’ Registration Board Building and Construction Industry Training Board Central TAFE Governing Council West Coast College of TAFE Governing Council Challenger TAFE Governing Council South East Metropolitan College of TAFE Governing Council Midland College of TAFE Governing Council Great Southern TAFE Governing Council South West Regional College of TAFE Governing Council C Y O’Connor College of TAFE Interim Governing Council Central West College of TAFE Governing Council West Pilbara College of TAFE Governing Council Eastern Pilbara College of TAFE Governing Council Kimberley College of TAFE Interim Governing Council (2) Ms Teresa Borwick Hon Malcolm John Bryce Ms Glenda Elaine Martinick Ms Alison Gwenda Woodman Mr Steven Bruce Pollard Ms Diane Joan Tinnetti Mr James McKinley Baker Mr Peter James Trefort Ms Sylvia Janet Brandenburg (3) Ms Teresa Borwick - State Training Board on 28 June 2001 Hon Malcolm John Bryce - Central TAFE Governing Council on 26 March 2001 Ms Glenda Elaine Martinick - Central TAFE Governing Council on 26 March 2001 Ms Alison Gwenda Woodman - C Y O’Connor College of TAFE Interim Governing Council on 29 June 2001 Mr Steven Bruce Pollard - C Y O’Connor College of TAFE Interim Governing Council on 29 June 2001 Ms Diane Joan Tinnetti - C Y O’Connor College of TAFE Interim Governing Council on 29 June 2001 Mr James McKinley Baker - C Y O’Connor College of TAFE Interim Governing Council on 29 June 2001 Mr Peter James Trefort - C Y O’Connor College of TAFE Interim Governing Council on 29 June 2001 Ms Sylvia Janet Brandenburg - C Y O’Connor College of TAFE Interim Governing Council on 29 June 2001
COMMITTEES AND BOARDS, APPOINTMENTS 772. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Education; Sport and Recreation; Indigenous Affairs (1) Will the Minister provide a detailed list of boards and committees under the Minister’s portfolio? (2) Who has the Minister appointed to these boards and committees since 12 February 2001?
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4451
(3) To what boards and committees have each of the new appointees been appointed to and at what date? Mr CARPENTER replied: Western Australian Institute of Sport (1) Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) Board of Directors (2) Dr Richard Charlesworth Ms Annette Huygen-Tholen Mrs Fiona Tory (3) WAIS Board of Directors. All three appointments commenced on 26th April 2001. Department of Indigenous Affairs (1) Aboriginal Lands Trust Aboriginal Affairs Coordinating Committee Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee (2) Mr John Cox - Aboriginal Justice Council, 1st April 2001 (prior to transfer of Aboriginal Justice Council to the Department of Justice). Mrs Dianne Appleby, Dr Ian Crawford, Mr Kevin Davis, Mr Ben Ward and Ms Maureen Young - Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee, 21st May 2001. Department of Education Services Department of Education Services (1) Aboriginal Education and Training Council Early Childhood Education Council Non-Government Schools Planning Advisory Committee Rural and Remote Education Advisory Council Western Australian Higher Education Council Curtin University of Technology Council (Governor's appointees only) Kalgoorlie Campus Board (Ministerial appointees only) Muresk Board of Management (Ministerial appointees only) Edith Cowan University Council (Governor's appointees only) Murdoch University Senate (Governor's appointees only) University of Western Australia Senate (Governor's appointees only) (See attached membership lists) (2)-(3) See following table. Appointee Board/Committee Date of Appointment Mrs May O'Brien* Aboriginal Education and Training Council 31 December 2001 Ms Jane Tittums* Aboriginal Education and Training Council 31 December 2001 Mr Edward Dimer* Aboriginal Education and Training Council 31 December 2001 Mrs Karon Anderson* Aboriginal Education and Training Council 31 December 2001 Mr Trevor DeLandgrafft Rural and Remote Education Advisory Council 17 August 2001 Ms Anne Napolitano Rural and Remote Education Advisory Council 1 June 2001 Mr John Bednall Rural and Remote Education Advisory Council 1 June 2001 Mr Ron Mance Rural and Remote Education Advisory Council 1 July 2001 Mr Simon Hudson Rural and Remote Education Advisory Council 30 March 2001 Ms Georgina Carnegie* Curtin University of Technology Council 20 March 2001 Dr Erica Tan* Curtin University of Technology Council 20 March 2001 Dr David Karpin Curtin University of Technology Council 20 March 2001 Ms Michele Dolin Curtin University of Technology Council 20 March 2001 Mrs Ellen Cox Muresk Board of Management 18 June 2001 Mr Ray Wilson Muresk Board of Management 18 June 2001 Dr Sally Cawley Murdoch University Senate 15 May 2001 Mr Jeremy Buxton# Murdoch University Senate 24 July 2001 * reappointment # nominated by Leader of the Opposition Curriculum Council (1) Curriculum Council; membership list attached. (2)-(3) See following table.
4452 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
Appointee Board/Committee Date of Appointment Mr John Garnaut Curriculum Council 1 July 2001 Country High School Hostels Authority (1) Country High School Hostels Authority; membership list attached. (2)-(3) See following table. Appointee Board/Committee Date of Appointment Peter Browne,Chair* Country High School Hostels Authority 3 April 2001 Richard Cairnes* Country High School Hostels Authority 3 April 2001 Alexander Morrison* Country High School Hostels Authority 3 April 2001 Lawrence Richards* Country High School Hostels Authority 3 April 2001 Shirley Thorn* Country High School Hostels Authority 3 April 2001 Faith O'Brien* Country High School Hostels Authority 3 April 2001 *reappointment Department of Sport and Recreation (1) a) Western Australian Institute of Sport Board b) Western Australian Sports Centre Trust Board c) Recreation Camps and Reserves Board d) Community Sport and Recreation Facilities Fund Committee e) Western Australian Boxing Commission (2) a) Dr Ric Charlesworth Ms Annette Hygens-Tholen Mrs Fiona Tory b) No appointments c) No appointments d) No appointments e) No Appointments (3) a) Dr Ric Charlesworth, from 26/4/01 for 3 years until 30/4/04 Ms Annette Hygens-Tholen from 26/4/01 for 2 years until 30/4/03 Mrs Fiona Tory from 26/4/01 for 2 years until 30/4/03 b) n/a c) n/a d) n/a e) n/a WA Sport Centre Trust (1) WA Sports Centre Trust Board Appointed Term Ian Laurance - Chairman Nov 1999 3 years Terry McIntyre Nov 1999 3 years Shane Wagner Nov 1999 3 years Sue Taylor Nov 1999 3 years Rod Rate Nov 1999 3 years John Longley Dec 1998 3 years Martin Griffith Dec 1998 3 years Heather MacGowan May 2000 1 year Sport International WA Committee Mr John Longley - Chairman Mr Tom Hoad Mr Graham Moss Mr Hallam Pereira Mr Wally Foreman
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4453
Ms Jill Powell Ms Linda Wayman Mr Paolo Amaranti (2) All appointed prior to 12th February 2001. (3) N/A
COMMITTEES AND BOARDS, APPOINTMENTS 774. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister for Health (1) Will the Minister provide a detailed list of boards and committees under the Minister’s portfolio? (2) Who has the Minister appointed to these boards and committees since 12 February 2001? (3) To what boards and committees have each of the new appointees been appointed to and at what date? Mr KUCERA replied: (1) Hospital Boards Ashburton Health Service Avon Health Service Beverley Health Services Boddington District Hospital Board Brookton Health Service Bruce Rock Memorial Hospital Board Bunbury Health Service Central Great Southern Health Service Board Corrigin District Hospital Board Cunderdin District Hospital Board Dongara Eneabba Mingenew Health Service Board Dundas Health Service East Pilbara Health Service Esperance Health Service Gascoyne Health Service Geraldton Health Service Harvey Yarloop Health Service Board Hawthorn Hospital Kalgoorlie-Boulder Health Service Kellerberrin Health Services Board of Management Kimberley Health Service Kununoppin and Districts Health Service Laverton and Leonora Health Service Lower Great Southern Health Service Board Merredin Health Service Metropolitan Health Service Morawa and Districts Health Service Mukinbudin Health Service Mullewa Health Services, Board of Management Murchison Health Service Narembeen Health Services Board Nickol Bay Hospital North Midlands Health Service Northampton Kalbarri Health Services Peel Health Services Quadriplegic Centre Board Quairading District Hospital Board Ravensthorpe Health Service Roebourne District Hospital Southern Cross District Health Service Board Upper Great Southern Health Service Vasse Leeuwin Health Board Warren Blackwood Health Service Board Wellington Health Service Board
4454 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
Western Health Service Wickham District Hospital Wyalkatchem-Koorda and Districts Hospital Board Yalgoo Health Services Non-Hospital Boards/Committees Anaesthetic Mortality Committee Animal Resources Authority Chiropractors Registration Board Council of Official Visitors Dental Board of Western Australia Dental Charges Committee Dental Prosthetists Advisory Committee Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies Advisory Committee Food Advisory Committee Local Health Authorities Analytical Committee Maternal Mortality Committee Medical Board of Western Australia Mental Health Review Board Nurses Board of Western Australia Occupational Therapists Registration Board Optometrists Registration Board Osteopaths Registration Board PathCentre Board Perinatal and Infant Mortality Committee Pesticides Advisory Committee Physiotherapists Registration Board Podiatrists Registration Board Poisons Advisory Committee Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre Trust Radiological Council The Psychologists Board of Western Australia Western Australian Alcohol and Drug Authority Western Australian Health Promotion Foundation (Healthway) Western Australian Reproductive Technology Council (2)-(3) Council of Official Visitors Mr Adrian Ronald Gavranich Ms Sandra Leigh Brown Mr Kevin Daniel Hogg Mrs Maxinne Cosham Sclanders Mrs Sheila Anne Stephens Ms Edana Lesley McGrath Ms Jane Ensor Mrs Cushla Leech Mr Michael Wright All appointed 9/4/2001 Western Australian Reproductive Technology Council –Ms Amalia Burmas - Appointed 14/7/01 The following appointments were nominated by the Minister and appointed by the Governor: Mental Health Review Board – Dr Christine Lawson-Smith – Appointed 7/8/01 Quadriplegic Centre Board – Mr Robert Weir Dunn – Appointed 17/4/01 Corrigin District Hospital Board – Mr Ian Cameron Campbell – Appointed 17/4/01 COMMITTEES AND BOARDS, APPOINTMENTS 775. Hon C L Edwardes to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; the Midwest, Wheatbelt and Great Southern (1) Will the Minister provide a detailed list of boards and committees under the Minister’s portfolio? (2) Who has the Minister appointed to these boards and committees since 12 February 2001? (3) To what boards and committees have each of the new appointees been appointed to and at what date?
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4455
Mr LOGAN replied: As there are in excess of 200 boards and committees under my portfolios, provision of this information would require considerable research which would divert staff away from their normal duties and I am not prepared to allocate departmental resources to provide a response. If the Member has a specific inquiry, I would be pleased to provide a reply.
COMMITTEES AND BOARDS, APPOINTMENTS 776. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister representing the Minister for Housing and Works; Local Government and Regional Development; the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne (1) Will the Minister provide a detailed list of boards and committees under the Minister’s portfolio? (2) Who has the Minister appointed to these boards and committees since 12 February 2001? (3) To what boards and committees have each of the new appointees been appointed to and at what date? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: Department of Local Government and Regional Development (1) Municipal Building Surveyors' Qualifications Committee Control of Vehicles (Off -Roads Areas) Advisory Committee Building Regulation Advisory Committee Caravan Parks & Camping Grounds Advisory Committee Local Government Advisory Board Western Australian Local Government Grants Commission WA Telecentre Advisory Board RRR Reference Group Regional Development Council Albany Cemetery Board Bunbury Cemetery Board Chowerup Cemetery Board Dudinanning Cemetery Board Dwellingup Cemetery Board Fremantle Cemetery Board Geraldton Cemetery Board Kalgoorlie/Boulder Cemetery Board Metropolitan Cemeteries Board Nabawa Cemetery Board South Caroling Cemetery Board Upper Preston Cemetery Board Keep Australia Beautiful Council (2)-(3) In respect of the Western Australian Local Government Grants Commission the following appointments were made on the 25/06/01; Mr John Lynch as Chairperson and Mr Ian Cowie as Deputy Chairperson In respect of the WA Telecentre Advisory Board the following appointments were made June 2001; Ms Lenore Tink of the Onslow Telecentre as the Coordinator Representative - Northwest and Goldfields Region Ms Nola Comerford, of the Mukinbudin Telecentre as the Coordinator Representative - Midwest and Northern Wheatbelt Region In respect of the Bunbury Cemetery Board the following appointments were made on the 18/06/2001: Cr Judith Mary Jones; Mr Errol Thomas Barrett; Mrs Pamela Margaret Mason; Mrs Lesley Cunningham; Mr Trevor Wayne Jennings; Mrs Claudine Beulah Manea; Mr Margaret Anne Fleay as Members; and Cr Judith Mary Jones as Chairperson
4456 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
In respect of the Dudinanning Cemetery Board the following appointments were made on the 02/07/2001: Mrs Robyne Frances Gorringe Mrs Valma Rae Hayes Mrs Carmel Florence Simmonds Mrs Jenny Marjorie Harris Mr Graham Dennison Veitch Mr Dean Edward Parker Mr Wayne Davies In respect of the Dwellingup Cemetery Board the following appointments were made on the 02/07/2001: Ms Valmea Wendy Brown Mr Noel Leonard Brown Ms Merle Elizabeth Kelly Mr Edward Albert George Watts Ms Ireen Karran Allen Ms Emma Selina Agnes Douglas Mrs Dianne Elizabeth Watts In respect of the Fremantle Cemetery Board the following appointments were made on the 25/06/01: Ms Liz Lovell; Mr Kim Chipper; Mr John Papaphotis; Rev Marie Wilson; Mrs Elizabeth Brice; and Ms Patricia Phelan as Members; and Mr Ralph Fardon as Chairperson In respect of the Geraldton Cemetery Board the following appointments were made on the 23/07/2001: Mr Maxwell Allan Correy Ms Patricia Shaw Mr Colin Baker Mrs Rose Anne Jupp Mr George Andrew Matchett Mrs Barbara Sheilds In respect of the Kalgoorlie/Boulder Cemetery Board the following appointments were made on the 02/07/2001: Mr Raymond Delbridge Mr Gianfranco Vukovich Mr Kenneth Edward Ball Mrs Kerry Patricia Everett Mr Thomas Graham Cole Pastor Larry David Gibb Mr Doug Daws In respect of the Metropolitan Cemetery Board the following appointments were made on the 25/06/2001: Mr Joe O'Dea; Mr Bruce James; Ms Rosemary Wheatley; Ms Marilyn Clark-Murphy; Mr Ken Colbung; and Ms Felicity Morel as Members; and Mr Fred Cavanough as Chairperson In respect of the Nabawa Cemetery Board the following appointments were made on the 02/07/2001: Mr Clifton Marshall Gould Mr Neil Ronald Simpson Mr Lyall John Gray Mr Eric Gordon Sheilds
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4457
Mr William Ashley Forbes Mr Basil Alfred Jupp In respect of the South Caroling Cemetery Board the following appointments were made on the 02/07/2001: Mr Alan Lancelot Hall Mr Geoffrey Colin Stone Mr Christopher John Squiers Mr Gregory John Richards Mr Geoffrey Mark Hall Mr Darryl Craig Richards Mrs Ann Stone In respect of the Keep Australia Beautiful Council the following appointments were made on the 18/06/2001: Mr Trevor Charles Wright as Chairman and Member, Mr David Medley; Ms Judith Shields; Mr John McNaught; Mr David Cheney; Mr Michael Roddy; Mr Glen Bennett; Mr Ian Cowie; Ms Margaret Buckland Mr Jeff Anderton Mrs Valerie Moylan as Members and Mr Kevin Glanville; Mr Garry Longton; Mr Gavin Williams; Mr Mark Fogarty; Mr William Pritchard; Mr Alan Atkinson; Ms Virginia Scott; Ms Kate Hassell and Ms Genette Keating as Deputy Members Department of Housing and Works (1) Aboriginal Housing Board Architects Board Building and Construction Advisory Council Country Housing Board Landstart Public Housing review panel Security of Payment Taskforce State Homelessness Taskforce State Housing Commission (2)-(3) Aboriginal Housing Board Name Term Jeanice Krakouer May 2001 – 31 December 2001 John McGuire May 2001 – 31 December 2001 Noel Green May 2001 – 31 December 2001 Ron Attwood May 2001 – 31 December 2001 Pauline Manning May 2001 – 31 December 2001 Architect's Board Name Term Debra Brown 1 June 2001 – 31 January 2002 Building & Construction Advisory Council Name Term Athol Jamieson No fixed term Warren Kerr No fixed term Neil Stevens No fixed term
4458 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
Country Housing Authority Name Term Shirley Thorn 1 July 2001 – 31 December 2001 Bert Dolin 1 July 2001 – 31 December 2001 Cr Joan Cameron 1 July 2001 – 31 December 2001 Mary Nenke 1 July 2001 – 31 December 2001 Quentin Harrington 1 July 2001 – 31 December 2001 Hew Mortlock 1 July 2001 – 31 December 2001 Landstart Name Term Ian Johnston July 2001 – December 2001 Public Housing Review Panel Name Term Dianne Annear August 2001 – November 2001 Lionel Baird August 2001 – November 2001 Nick Nikolich August 2001 – November 2001 Diann Peate August 2001 – November 2001 Karin Gruber August 2001 – November 2001 Rev Cedric Jacobs August 2001 – November 2001 Oral McGuire August 2001 – November 2001 Security of Payment Taskforce Name Term Remuneration John Hyde MLA No fixed term Nil State Homlessness Taskforce Name Term Tony Pietropiccolo July 2001 – January 2002 Sheryl Carmody July 2001 – January 2002 Mark Goerke July 2001 – January 2002 Chris Hall July 2001 – January 2002 Denis Hayward July 2001 – January 2002 Irwin Palmer July 2001 – January 2002 Cathcart Weatherley July 2001 – January 2002 Susan Wyatt July 2001 – January 2002 Pauline Bagdonavicius July 2001 – January 2002 Vanessa Davies July 2001 – January 2002 Dr Aaron Groves July 2001 – January 2002 Robert Thomas July 2001 – January 2002 State Housing Commission Name Term Lloyd Guthrey May 2001 – 31 December 2001 David Coates May 2001 – 31 December 2001 John Gherardi May 2001 – 31 December 2001 Michael Bonney May 2001 – 31 December 2001 Dr Ann Zubrick May 2001 – 31 December 2001 Jeanice Krakouer May 2001 – 31 December 2001 State Supply Commission State Supply Commission Board State tenders Committee State Supply Commission Board: Mr Dave Robinson was appointed as a Member on 19 March 2001 for a term expiring on 26 March 2003. State Tenders Committee: Mr Jack Busch, Chairperson, has been appointed for a term expiring on 30 June 2002. Mr Greg Beange, Deputy Chairperson, has been appointed for a term expiring on 30 June 2002. Mr Rod Alderton was appointed as a Member for a term expiring on 30 June 2002.
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4459
Mr Steve Grocott was appointed as a Member for a term expiring on 30 June 2002. Mr Anthony Kannis has been appointed as a Member for a term expiring on 30 June 2002. Mr Neil Logan has been appointed as a Member for a term expiring on 30 June 2003. Mr Rod Scott has been appointed as a Member for a term expiring on 30 June 2002. Mr Alex Taylor has been appointed as a Member for a term expiring on 17 December 2002. Kimberley Development Commission (1) Board of the Kimberley Development Commission (2)-(3) Not applicable Pilbara Development Commission (1) Board of the Pilbara Development Commission (2)-(3) Not applicable Gascoyne Development Commission (1) Board of the Gascoyne Development Commission (2)-(3) Not applicable
COMMITTEES AND BOARDS, APPOINTMENTS 777. Hon C L Edwardes to the Minister representing the Minister for Racing and Gaming; Government Enterprises; Goldfields-Esperance (1) Will the Minister provide a detailed list of boards and committees under the Minister’s portfolio? (2) Who has the Minister appointed to these boards and committees since 12 February 2001? (3) To what boards and committees have each of the new appointees been appointed to and at what date? Mr RIPPER replied: AQWEST BUNBURY WATER BOARD (1) Not Applicable to AQWEST (2) Not applicable to AQWEST (3) Not applicable to AQWEST BUSSELTON WATER BOARD (1) Busselton Water Board (2) Not applicable (3) Not applicable GOLDFIELDS-ESPERANCE DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (1) Goldfields Esperance Development Commission (2) Not Applicable (3) Not Applicable GOLD CORPORATION (1) Board of Gold Corporation (2) (a) Mr Peter Unsworth, Chairman (b) Mr Peter Lalor, Non-Executive Director (c) Ms Martine Pop, Non-Executive Director (d) Ms Valerie Davies, Non-Executive Director (e) Mr Don Mackay-Coghill, Chief Executive Officer (f) The Under Treasurer is also a Director ex officio (3) On 30 July 2001. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES SUPERANNUATION BOARD (1) Government Employees Superannuation Board. (2) Nil (3) Not applicable
4460 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001]
INSURANCE COMMISSION WA (1) Board of Commissioners of the Insurance Commission of Western Australia (2) Vic Evans was re-appointed as Commissioner "ex offico" of the Board of Commissioners. (3) To the Board of Commissioners of the Insurance Commission of Western Australia on 31 July 2001. LOTTERIES COMMISSION (1) The Board of the Lotteries Commission (2) Mrs Anne Conti. (3) Mrs Anne Conti on 1 May 2001 RACING AND GAMING 1. Boards and committees under Minister's Portfolio Gaming Commission of Western Australia Gaming Community Trust Betting Control Board Racing Penalties Appeal Tribunal Racecourse Development Trust Totalisator Agency Board Western Australian Greyhound Racing Association Burswood Park Board 2&3 Appointments to boards and committees since 12 February 2001 Racecourse Development Trust Kenneth John Tilbrook (Member) on the 2 May 2001 David M Fuller (Deputy Member) on the 2 May 2001 Totalisator Agency Board John Vincent Yovich (Deputy Chairperson) on the 28 June 2001 Valerie Anne Davies (Member) on the 28 June 2001 Ross Alan Cooper (Member) on the 28 June 2001 Ian McFarlane (Member) on the 28 June 2001 Judith McGowan (Member) on the 28 June 2001 Mike Ryan (Member) on the 7 August 2001 Nena Snooks (Member) on the 7 August 2001 WA Greyhound Racing Association Joseph Edward Karasek (Chairman) on the 2 June 2001 Geoffrey Alfred Martin (Member) on the 2 June 2001 Burswood Park Board Thomas Andrew Wilson (Member) 1 August 2001 WATER CORPORATION (1) Board of the Water Corporation (2)-(3) There have been no appointments to the Board since 12 February 2001 D’ENTRECASTEAUX NATIONAL PARK, MANAGEMENT PLAN 781. Mr Masters to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage (1) Did the management plan for the D’Entrecasteaux National Park expire in 1997? (2) When will a new draft management plan for this Park be completed and made available for public review? (3) Is the management plan for the Walpole - Nornabup National Park due to expire in 2002? (4) What progress is being made in preparing a new draft plan for this park and when will it be made available for public review? (5) What other national parks have management plans in existence at present and when do these plans expire? Dr EDWARDS replied: (1) The Shannon Park and D'Entrecasteaux National Park Management Plan came into operation on the 8 January 1988 and under section 55(2) of the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984, the plan will remain in force until a new plan is approved or the plan is revoked.
[ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] 4461
(2) Preparation of a new draft management plan for the D'Entrecasteaux National Park and the Shannon National Park is underway. The draft plan is likely to be available for public comment in 2002. (3) The management plan was written to cover the 10 year period until 2002. However, the plan will remain in force until a new plan is prepared. (4) It is still considered that the plan for Walpole-Nornalup National Park provides sufficient guidance for management. (5) The annual report for the Department includes a list of approved management plans, final plans in preparation and draft management plans being prepared. As of June 2001, 16 management plans covering national parks and 28 management plans covering other reserves have been approved by the Minister for the Environment. A further 24 management plans are in preparation at present. All these plans remain in force unless a new plan is approved or they are revoked.
PLANT SPECIES, ENDANGERED AND EXTINCT 782. Mr Masters to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage (1) I refer to the answer to question on notice No. 138 and ask, prior to European settlement, what was the likely status of each of the 17 now presumed extinct plants in Western Australia (widespread, locally common or rare)? (2) What mechanisms, such as clearing for agriculture or altered fire regimes or pre existing rareness, are likely to have made each of these 17 species extinct in Western Australia? (3) Do any of the 17 extinct species occur elsewhere in Australia? (4) For plant species that are currently considered to be endangered, what are the major threatening processes for which remedial action is required as part of recovery plans? Dr EDWARDS replied: (1) It is considered likely that each of the species of presumed extinct flora were rare prior to European settlement. The majority of species of presumed extinct flora are only recorded from early botanical collections, and are thus considered to have always been uncommon. In recent years, taxonomic research has also determined that a number of species presumed to be extinct were in fact incorrectly named as separate species, and were subsequently removed from the list. This research is continuing. (2) Only one species (Calothamnus accedens) is known to have had the only known population of plants destroyed by human activity. This was as a result of road maintenance destroying a roadverge population in the wheatbelt. The causes of other species being presumed extinct is not known, although habitat loss due to land clearing may be a factor for species known to have been found in agricultural areas. (3) One species of flora presumed to be extinct in Western Australia, Taraxacum cygnorum, also occurs in Victoria and the Bass Strait islands, where it is considered to be threatened. (4) The major threatening processes for endangered flora in Western Australia that require remedial action under recovery plans are lack of suitable habitat, alteration of hydroecology, invasive weeds, grazing by introduced animals, Phytophthora dieback disease, inappropriate fire regimes, mining activities, accidental destruction including through roadworks, and small population sizes.
NATIONAL PARKS, CALM OFFICERS EMPLOYED 784. Hon P G Pendal to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage (1) Are officers of the Department of Conservation and Land Management employed in some national parks throughout the State? (2) What roles do they fulfil? (3) What training programs are in place to ensure such officers can provide relevant information and assistance to tourists visiting the national parks? (4) Is there a policy in place to train an officer to provide specific information relating to a park to which he/she has been newly appointed? Dr EDWARDS replied: 1. Officers of the Department of Conservation and Land Management are employed in national parks throughout the State. 2. Departmental officers perform a wide range of duties that include:
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Interpretation activities Fauna and fauna surveys Visitor risk management assessment and remedial action Fire management Fee collection Customer service Building and grounds maintenance Road and walk trail maintenance Cultural and heritage site maintenance Disease management, regulatory roles Weed management Site planning Project management Contract management 3. Since 1995 National Park Rangers have been recruited from the Graduate Field Officer Recruitment program. The minimum entry qualification is Certificate IV in Land Management. The majority of recruits have science degrees in environmental management or science. Graduate Field Officer Recruits appointed to the Department are required to attend 14 weeks of competency based training, conducted in blocks of three to four weeks, in the first two years of appointment. Learning programs include: First aid Supervisors course Driver training Chainsaw maintenance and handling Fauna management CALM Occupational Health and Safety Law enforcement Fire management Incident control systems Interpretation activities Recreation, planning and management Health and fitness Conversing with the community Field surveying Public participation The nationally accredited recreation, planning and management course provides extensive training in providing assistance to visitors in natural areas as does the interpretation activities course which focuses on communicating with visitors. 4. In addition to the programs listed in (3), the Department's human resource policy and procedures establish a requirement for all staff to be given the induction and orientation necessary for them to fulfil their responsibilities. WITTENOOM, ELECTRICITY ACCOUNTS 796. Mr Graham to the Minister for Energy (1) How many current electricity accounts are in place in Wittenoom? (2) Who owns the power station in Wittenoom? (3) Who operates the power station in Wittenoom? (4) Does the universal tariff policy apply to Wittenoom? Mr RIPPER replied: 1) Twenty-eight in total comprising 23 residential customers, 4 commercial customers and 1 mixed customer. 2) Western Power Corporation. 3) Western Power operates the Wittenoom power station using the services of a local contractor. 4) Yes, the uniform tariff policy applies in Wittenoom. MR JOHN ARTHUR, SALARY AND CLASSIFICATION LEVEL 802. Hon C L Edwardes to the Premier (1) What is the salary and classification level of Mr John Arthur, Director, Government Media Office? (2) What are his terms and conditions of his employment?
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(3) Is he provided with - (a) a mobile phone; (b) a pager; (c) a motor vehicle; and / or (d) a credit card? (4) If yes to 3 (c) what contribution does he make to the Government Vehicle Scheme? Dr GALLOP replied: (1) Class 1 + $10,000 (2) S68 Term of the Government Contract (3) (a) Yes (b) No (c) Yes (d) Yes (4) $93.50 per fortnight OLD-GROWTH FORESTS, HIGH CONSERVATION VALUE 808. Mr Masters to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage (1) What research has been undertaken in Western Australia’s jarrah and karri forests to show that a forest meeting the currently accepted definition of ‘old growth’ also contains features or characteristics that qualify it as being of high conservation value? (2) Has research been carried out to determine if high conservation values within old growth forests change over time? (3) Do any of Western Australia’s production forests contain features or characteristics that are of high conservation value and, if yes, can general examples of these features or characteristics be given? (4) What research exists that shows logging of nature forests to be having unsustainable impacts on high conservation values? Dr EDWARDS replied: (1) The comprehensive regional assessment undertaken during the Regional Forest Agreement process provides the basis for the identification of high conservation value areas and old growth forest. However, the Government's 'Protecting our old-growth forests' policy takes account of community values, not just scientific research. (2) Research has been carried out to characterise conservation values in old-growth forests and through time this will provide a basis for determination as to whether high conservation values change over time. As old-growth status may change through time due to aging of the forest and subsequent natural regeneration, this aspect of high conservation value can be expected to change over time. (3) An assessment of high conservation values in State forest not proposed for reservation will be undertaken through the development of the new Forest Management Plan. (4) There are a number of conservation values that are defined on the basis of absence of disturbance by modern technological society, for example old-growth forest, wilderness quality and biophysical naturalness. By definition, disturbances such as timber harvesting impact on these values. KWINANA FREEWAY, OVERPASSES AT COMO 815. Mr Bradshaw to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure Will the overpasses being constructed or recently completed over the Kwinana Freeway at Como accommodate the proposed railway from Perth to Mandurah Ms MacTIERNAN replied: Yes. POLLUTION, UDUC ROAD, HARVEY 816. Mr Bradshaw to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage (1) Has the Water and Rivers Commission, in the last two years, received readings or information with regard to run off into the drains between Sixth Street and Government Road Harvey along Uduc Road with regard to total Nitrogen, total Phosphorous and E. Coli counts?
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(2) If yes, when was the Department notified and were these levels acceptable? (3) If not, what has the Water and Rivers Commission undertaken to address this situation? (4) Has the Water and Rivers Commission identified the source of the pollutants? (5) Has the Water and Rivers Commission taken independent samples after being alerted to the high levels of Nitrogen, Phosphorous and E. Coli in this drain? (6) If yes to (5), when were these independent samples taken? (7) Was any industry notified that samples were to be taken before being taken? (8) What were the results of the samples taken? (9) Has the Department determined the source of these pollutants? (10) If yes to (9), where do the high level pollutants originate? Dr EDWARDS replied: (1) Yes. (2) 9 July 2001. The conclusions of the private report showed that the levels were unacceptable. The matter was referred to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). (3) Answered by (1). (4) No. However, as the drain is adjacent to a premises licensed by DEP, the matter has been referred to them for action. (5) No, as the matter has been referred to the DEP. (6) Not Applicable.. (7) Not Applicable. (8) Not Applicable. (9) Not Applicable. (10) Not Applicable. POLLUTION, UDUC ROAD, HARVEY 817. Mr Bradshaw to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage (1) Has the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)/Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in the last two years, received readings or information with regard to run off into the drains between Sixth Street and Government Road, Harvey along Uduc Road with regard to total Nitrogen, total Phosphorous and E. Coli counts? (2) If yes, when was the Department notified and were these levels acceptable? (3) If not, what has the EPA/DEP undertaken to address this situation? (4) Has the EPA/DEP identified the source of the pollutants? (5) Has the EPA/DEP taken independent samples after being alerted to the high levels of Nitrogen, Phosphorous and E. Coli in this drain? (6) If yes, to (5), when were these independent samples taken? (7) Was any industry notified that samples were to be taken before being taken? (8) What were the results of the samples taken? (9) Has the Department determined the source of these pollutants? (10) If yes to (9), where do the high level pollutants originate? Dr EDWARDS replied: (1) Yes (2) Since 1 January 1999, the DEP has received information on five occasions regarding wastewater with elevated nutrient levels and on one occasion regarding wastewater with elevated bacteria levels. Specifically, on 17/9/99, 21/8/00, 6/8/01, 30/1/01 and 2/8/01. The reports show that on some occasions and in some locations water within the drain contained levels considered to be unacceptable.
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(3) Answered by (2). (4) Yes. (5) Yes. (6) Samples were taken on 19, 23 & 30 July and 6, 15, 20 & 27 August 2001. (7) No. (8) Results of the water sample taken are available and now tabled in Attachment 1. [See paper No 724.] (9) Yes. (10) The DEP believes that the major source of the elevated nutrients and faecal bacteria (thermo-tolerant coliforms) is emanating from an abattoir in Harvey, with some from other agricultural pursuits in the area.
SOUTHERN RAIL LINK, SOUTH PERTH-COMO AND SALTER POINT 822. Hon P G Pendal to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) I refer to the Government’s decision to re-route the Southern suburbs railway through South Perth-Como and Salter Point and ask will the Minister advise if all her departments endorse the notion of running the new rail link, at ground level, through South Perth-Como and Salter Point? (2) Did the Minister or the Government seek any other Government agencies’ views on the project, other than those responsible for railways or transport? (3) If not, why not? (4) If the Government failed to take a holistic approach on such a major urban development issue why? (5) If the Cabinet failed to seek other agencies’ input, does this suggest that future Government decisions with implications for the urban environment will be made in isolation from environmental and urban design principles? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1) All the agencies under the Planning and Infrastructure portfolio endorse the notion of running the new rail link, at ground level, through South Perth-Como and Salter Point. (2) Yes. (3) Not applicable. (4) Not applicable. (5) Not applicable.
SOUTHERN RAIL LINK, SOUTH PERTH-COMO AND SALTER POINT 827. Hon P G Pendal to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) Does the Government’s proposal to re-route the Southern suburbs railway through South Perth-Como and Salter Point require parliamentary approval? (2) If so, in what form? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1) Yes. (2) Enabling legislation will be required to authorise construction of the railway. SOUTHERN RAIL LINK, SOUTH PERTH-COMO AND SALTER POINT 830. Hon P G Pendal to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) I refer to the Government’s plans to re-route the Southern suburbs railway through South Perth-Como and Salter Point and ask will the Minister advise the combined cost of the three new footbridges over the freeway in South Perth-Como? (2) Will any of these bridges need to be removed or modified as a result of the decision to re-route the railway? (3) Will any of the remaining footbridges between Canning Bridge and Mt Henry Bridge be removed or modified as a result of the decision? (4) If so, will the Minister provide details?
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Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1) $4 million. (2) No. (3) This will be determined during the preparation of the supplementary Master Plan. (4) Yes, after completion of the supplementary Master Plan.
SOUTHERN RAIL LINK, SOUTH PERTH-COMO AND SALTER POINT 831. Hon P G Pendal to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) I refer to the Government’s decision to re-route the Southern suburbs railway through South Perth-Como and Salter Point and ask, prior to the Cabinet decision on 16 July, was any studied attempt made to examine world’s best practice relating to new electric railways being routed through built-up residential areas? (2) Was any studied attempt made to examine world’s best practice relating to new electric railways being routed alongside major environmental assets such as a river system? (3) If not, why was such a major decision taken in the absence of any such studies? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1) Such examination was undertaken in developing the Northern Suburbs Transit System and the South West Metropolitan Railway Master Plans. (2) All environmental aspects have been considered in developing the previous Master Plans. The aspects will be an important element to be examined in developing the supplementary Master Plan during the next 6 months. (3) Not applicable.
SOUTHERN RAIL LINK, SOUTH PERTH-COMO AND SALTER POINT 833. Hon P G Pendal to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) I refer to the Government’s decision to re-route the Southern suburbs railway through South Perth-Como, and Salter Point and ask is it correct that the Ministerial briefing of the South Perth City Council emphasised that the compelling reason for the new route was to reduce the Mandurah-Perth travel time by 12 minutes? (2) If so, what studies has the Government undertaken to determine the number of commuters who will use the daily service from Mandurah to Perth if the travel time is reduced? (3) Will the Minister table such studies? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1) Yes. The journey time improvements to/from Perth on the Freeway route when compared with the route via Kenwick are significant. The journey time from Thomsons Lake to Perth would reduce from 28 minutes to 16 minutes, Rockingham to Perth from 45 minutes to 33 minutes and Mandurah to Perth from 60 minutes to 48 minutes. (2) Studies were undertaken for the original Master Plan, and further studies will be undertaken during preparation of the supplementary Master Plan. The relationship between improved journey times, frequency and patronage is well understood. The original demand modelling underpinning the patronage forecasts revealed that the elasticity of demand to changes in journey times is in the range of 0.54 - 0.63, in other words if there is an improvement in frequency and journey time of 10% there would be an increase in patronage of 5.4% to 6.3%. What is most important is the further modelling that is to be carried out in preparing the supplementary Master Plan for the Direct Route. (3) Yes - when the supplementary Master Plan is finished.
HERITAGE COUNCIL, MEMBERSHIP SELECTION PROCESS 851. Mr Edwards to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage (1) In reference to the membership of the Heritage Council of Western Australia what is the selection process used to assess applications for membership of the Heritage Council? (2) Who carries out that selection process? (3) Who were the successful applicants in 2001 and what organisations, if any, do they represent? (4) What are the terms of appointment and tenure for each of the members of the Heritage Council?
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Dr EDWARDS replied: 1. Nominations are called from professional bodies and relevant interest groups. In addition, for the first time expressions of interest were called for by public advertisement. 2. The selection process in 2001 was carried out by ministerial staff with advice from the Office of the Heritage Council of Western Australia in consultation with the Minister. The membership of the Council was appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Minister following advice from Cabinet. 3. & 4. The following Councillors were appointed on 1 July 2001 and their terms expire on 30 June 2002. Mrs Marli Wallace, Chairperson Mr Peter Kenyon, Expert Member Ms Kelly Aris, Expert Member Ms Lucy Williams, Expert Member Ms Rosemary Rosario, Expert Member Mr Phillip Griffiths, Professional Organisation Member Mr Gerald Gauntlett, Owners Interest Member Mr Michal Lewi, National Trust Member Ms Judy Cecil, Local Government Member was appointed on 7 August 2001 and her term expires on 30 June 2002. The National Trust person is the only member representing an organisation, all others are appointed on the basis of their expertise or practical interest in the function of the Council or to represent generic interests such as property owners, local governments or the professions. TAMALA PARK, MINDARIE, NATIVE VEGETATION 852. Mr Masters to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage (1) What proportion of the 430 ha land parcel known as Tamala Park at Mindarie contains good quality native vegetation? (2) Has an environmental assessment of this land been carried out to determine its conservation values? (3) If yes, what reports are available, for public use, on the land’s conservation values? (4) Will urban development on part or all of the land require prior environmental assessment or are development approvals already in place? (5) What are the major conservation values currently known to exist within the uncleared portions of the land? Dr EDWARDS replied: (1) Of the vegetation west of Marmion Avenue the majority is of good quality with greater than 70% in excellent to pristine condition and the remainder in good to very good condition with localised disturbance. Of the vegetation east of Marmion Avenue less than 30% is in good to very good condition. (2) Yes. The majority of the subject area is currently the subject of Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS) Amendment No. 992/33 Clarkson-Butler. (3) I now table the following list of recent publications on the subject land. [See paper No 725.] (4) The EPA has assessed MRS Amendment No. 992/33 of which one of the proposals is to rezone the northern portion of the land for urban purposes. Any further proposals to rezone the remainder of the land to urban purposes will require referral to the EPA for consideration. (5) Regionally significant vegetation, possible fauna conservation and landform values. YENYENING LAKES, WATER SKIING 853. Dr Constable to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) Is the Yenyening Lakes area gazetted for water skiing? (2) If yes, when was this area gazetted? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1) No. (2) Not applicable. WATER SKI AREAS, GAZETTAL 854. Dr Constable to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) Which Government authority is responsible for recommending an area be gazetted for water skiing?
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(2) What is the process for application for an area to be gazetted for water skiing? (3) What is the required depth of water for water skiing? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1) Department for Planning and Infrastructure is responsible for all safety issues pertaining to navigable waters, which includes the assessment, definition and gazettal of water ski areas. (2) Upon application for an area to be gazetted for water skiing, The Department for Planning and Infrastructure will ensure: that approval is given by other agencies having jurisdiction in the area such as the Department of Conservation and Land Management or the Local Government Authority; the applicant has conducted a survey of the waters to define an obstruction free area for skiing. the survey is undertaken at the applicant's expense and must establish depth contours relative to a permanent reference mark; the minimum depth for water skiing is 1.5 metres. The 1.5 metre contour will represent the boundary of the safe skiing area and tide pole marker and/or markers must be installed at the applicant's expense to indicate when the water depth has reached the minimum level. When the depth drops below the minimum depth the ski area is closed. The applicant is to give written commitment to installing and maintaining all relevant signs and markers; the markers must have signs affixed which state "Limit of Ski Area" a take off and landing area may also need to be defined unless the intention is for deep water take off and landing at all times; that if the area is intended for the exclusive use of a ski club, the club must confirm in writing that they take all responsibility for the area and use it at their own risk; all survey results and maps must be forwarded for assessment to the Coastal and Facilities Management Directorate of the Department for Planning and Infrastructure. Whoever is commissioned to conduct the survey must confirm in writing that the area as defined within the boundaries of the intended ski area is free of submerged hazards when the minimum depth for skiing is reached. Once approved, the Department for Planning and Infrastructure will place notices in the Government Gazette to indicate the validity and location of the ski area. (3) Minimum required depth for a water ski area is 1.5 metres.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, MOBILE PHONES, HANDS-FREE FACILITIES 857. Hon. C.L. Edwardes to the Premier; Minister for Public Sector Management; Federal Affairs; Science; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests I refer to the answer to question on notice No. 414, in respect to mobile phones, and the answer to question without notice No. 126 and ask will the Premier provide a detailed response to question on notice No. 414? Dr GALLOP replied: Again I refer the Member to the answer to Question Without Notice 126.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, MOBILE PHONES, HANDS-FREE FACILITIES 858. Hon. C.L. Edwardes to the Premier; Minister for Public Sector Management; Federal Affairs; Science; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests I refer to the answer to question on notice No. 428, in respect to mobile phones, and the answer to question without notice No. 126 and ask will the Minister provide a detailed response to question on notice No. 428? Dr GALLOP replied: Again I refer the Member to the answer to Question Without Notice 126.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, MOBILE PHONES, HANDS-FREE FACILITIES 873. Hon. C.L. Edwardes to the Minister representing the Minister for Local Government and Regional Development I refer to the answer to question on notice No. 426, in respect to mobile phones, and the answer to question without notice No. 126 and ask will the Minister provide a detailed response to question on notice No. 426?
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Ms MacTIERNAN replied: This question duplicates the information being sought under Question No 875. I ask the Member to take more care in the preparation of her Parliamentary Questions, to ensure that she is not wasting taxpayer resources in requiring offices to attend to her repetitive questions that duplicate other questions. See answer to Question No 875 GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, MOBILE PHONES, HANDS-FREE FACILITIES 875. Hon. C.L. Edwardes to the Minister representing the Minister for Housing and Works; Local Government and Regional Development; the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne I refer to the answer to question on notice No. 440, in respect to mobile phones, and the answer to question without notice No. 126 and ask will the Minister provide a detailed response to question on notice No. 440? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: Pilbara Development Commission (a)-(d) All staff have been made aware that hand held mobile phones can not be used in Commission vehicles and is purchasing car kits for all its vehicles Gascoyne Development Commission (a)-(d) All staff have been made aware that hand held mobile phones can not be used in Commission vehicles and is purchasing car kits for all its vehicles Kimberley Development Commission (a)-(d) All staff have been made aware that hand held mobile phones can not be used in Commission vehicles unless a hands free kit is installed in the vehicle. State Supply Commission (a)-(d) All staff have been made aware that hand held mobile phones can not be used in Commission vehicles unless a hands free kit is installed in the vehicle. Department of Housing and Works (a)-(d) All staff have been made aware that hand held mobile phones can not be used in Departmental vehicles unless a hands free kit is installed in the vehicle. Department of Local Government and Regional Development (a)-(d) All staff have been made aware that hand held mobile phones can not be used in Departmental vehicles unless a hands free kit is installed in the vehicle. HOMESWEST, NORTHAM, TOODYAY AND YORK 893. Mr Trenorden to the Minister representing the Minister for Housing and Works (1) Is there any provision to increase Homeswest accommodation in - (a) Northam; (b) Toodyay; and / or (c) York? (2) If so, when? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(2) As part of Homeswest 2000/2001 building program the following was undertaken; (a) Northam 1 x 4 bedroom – completed (b) Toodyay 1 x 4 bedroom – completed 1 x 3 bedroom – completed – Aboriginal Housing (c) York 5 x 2 bedroom - & 4 x 1 bedroom – (aged persons units) currently under construction In the 2001/2002 program the following projects are planned. (a) Northam 1 x 3 bedroom 2 x 5 bedroom – land to be acquired 2 x 4 bedroom – land to be acquired – 1 Aboriginal Housing 4 x 3 bedroom – land to be acquired 1 x 3 bedroom & 2 x 2 bedroom – Community Housing project – (Womens Refuge)
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(b) Nil (c) Nil Further housing will be provided in subsequent years contingent on demand WESTERN POWER, NARROGIN-BEVERLEY POWER LINE 894. Mr Trenorden to the Minister for Energy (1) What amount of funds will be committed to upgrade the Narrogin to Beverley power line? (2) When will these funds be available? Mr RIPPER replied: 1) Western Power will spend $250,000 increasing the capacity of the feeder between Narrogin and Brookton, plus $280,000 on pole replacement, line inspections, vegetation and general maintenance. The town of Beverley is fed from the Northern Substation via the York Feeder. Western Power recently commissioned one 500kVA capacitor at York townsite and will install a second by December 31, 2001. These capacitors, which together cost $50,000, will improve voltage on the feeder to Beverley. A further $125,000 will be spent on installing a three-phase regulator on the York - Beverley line by December 31 2001. The following year, Western Power will spend $600,000 upgrading to 33kV the line between Northam and York. 2) Funds, totalling $705,000, are available during the current financial year. A further $600,000 will be available in the 2002/03 financial year.
POISON 1080, BAN ON USE 896. Mr Masters to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (1) Is the Minister aware of a campaign by Humane Society International (HSI) to outlaw the use of 1080 poison in Australia? (2) What implications would a ban on the use of 1080 have for nature conservation in Western Australia? (3) Is the Minister supportive of HSI’s efforts to ban the use of 1080? (4) If not, what actions are being or will be taken by the Government to educate HIS on the severe conservation consequences arising from a ban on the use of 1080, so that their campaign efforts in Western Australia are redirected into more important conservation priorities? Mr LOGAN replied: 1) The Department of Agriculture has obtained a copy of a letter from the Humane Society International (HIS), the intent of which would appear to be the soliciting of support for banning the use of 1080 animal pest poison. 2) Any ban on 1080 use will have a significant impact on control of animal pests for agriculture and environmental protection in Western Australia. No alternative product is available or registered to which native species have such a high tolerance. Use of other poisons could result in much greater death of native species, and increased costs. 3) In the absence of any practical alternative - no. 4) The Department of Agriculture is in regular contact on this issue with both State and Commonwealth agencies who have direct contact with HIS. The Department of Agriculture has also implemented formalised application, risk assessment and approval processes to minimise any risk of inappropriate or illegal use of 1080. The Department is working through the national Vertebrate Pest Committee to establish national standards for 1080 management and use.
WESTERN POWER, SOUTH YUNDERUP POWER SUPPLIES 899. Mr Bradshaw to the Minister for Energy When will the continuous power cut problems being experienced by the people in South Yunderup be remedied? Mr RIPPER replied: In August 2001 Western Power divided the high voltage feeder which supplies South Yunderup and moved part of the load to the Pinjarra Substation in order to improve the quality and reliability of supplies. The South Yunderup transformer was also upgraded. Western Power has undertaken a program of bird proofing lines in the area, in addition to its regular tree-pruning and maintenance programs. The Corporation will continue to monitor the local network and respond to customer advice regarding bird activity.
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LADY GOWRIE CENTRE, KARAWARA, RELOCATION 910. Hon. P.G. Pendal to the Minister representing the Minister for Housing and Works (1) I refer to the Lady Gowrie Centre at Karawara, on land owned by the Ministry of Housing, and ask is it correct that Lady Gowrie is seeking to re-assess its mission with the view to re-locating to other parts of the southern suburbs? (2) Has the prospect of a land swap been discussed between the centre and the Ministry? (3) Has the Centre informally proposed that land be made available at nearby George Burnett Park in return for surrendering the current land and Centre at Karawara? (4) Does the Ministry envisage some financial incentive for the Centre to re-locate? (5) If so, what impediments, if any, are known to exist from any State or local authorities to such a re-location? (6) Will the Ministry initiate discussions with appropriate local and State authorities in order to produce a win-win outcome for the various stake-holders? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1) Yes, The Lady Gowrie Centre is exploring the option of relocating its Community Services arm to Belmont where the needs of clients for services are greater. However, it envisaged that the Childcare service remain in its present location in Karawara. (2) No. However, The Lady Gowrie Centre and the Department of Housing & Works (DHW) have had informal discussions involving possible options for the future of the site. (3) It is understood that Lady Gowrie Centre has had discussions with the Council to utilise part of George Burnett Park. (4) The DHW is currently undertaking a feasibility study with respect to the current site in question. Options for the site will be considered based on the outcomes of this study. (5) It is understood that the relocation of the Centre to George Burnett Park is not part of the Local Authority’s development plan for George Burnett Park. (6) Yes, The DHW will initiate discussions with stakeholders upon completion of its feasibility study. PEEL REGIONAL PARK, ESTABLISHMENT 913. Mr Masters to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage (1) Did the ALP make promises to the electors of Mandurah and surrounding areas prior to the last election, that if elected it would establish a Peel Regional Park? (2) If yes, will the Park be declared within 6 months of the election? (3) Will a management plan for the park be commissioned upon the declaration of the Park? (4) Will the Government prepare, as a matter of urgency, a Bushplan or System 6 update to determine additional areas to be reserved as Public Open Space and added to the Park? (5) Will a review of the adequacy of the minimum foreshore reserve around the Peel Harvey estuaries and feeder rivers be conducted? Dr EDWARDS replied: The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has been advised of the following: (1) Yes. (2) No. More than 6 months has already elapsed since the elections. (3) Work towards commissioning a study has commenced and funds have already been set aside by the Western Australian Planning Commission to prepare a management plan. (4) The Government's priority at the moment is implementing its policy commitments on 'Bush Forever'. A systematic program for reviewing the conservation estate in the balance of the System 6 area, will be considered with other budget priorities with a view to initiating such a program as soon as possible. (5) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage is currently seeking advice on how a review might progress. GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, REPRESENTATION 940. Hon. C.L. Edwardes to the Minister for Public Sector Management I refer to the media release of 22 August 2001 entitled ‘More opportunity for indigenous people in the Public Service’ and ask -
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(a) will the Minister outline the strategies to be used for increasing representation of indigenous people at the senior level; (b) what classification is determined as senior level; (c) what are the new Government initiatives; (d) what targets have been set for each Government agency to establish increased representation of indigenous people at the senior level; and (e) will this strategy include the appointment of an indigenous person to the Director General position at the Indigenous Affairs Department? Dr GALLOP replied: (a) A Strategic Employment Group is being convened by the Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and the Director, Equal Opportunity in Public Employment. It comprises relevant Chief Executive Officers representing Disabilities Services Commission, Department of Training, Department of Indigenous Affairs, Office of Multicultural Interests and the Department of Community Development. It has been established to revise the current Diversity Improvement Plan (DIP) document and produce a new 'Equity and Diversity Plan' which will formulate the Government's strategies. (b) Senior level classification will vary from agency to agency having regard to the organisational structure and the decision making responsibilities of the position. (c) See 1 above (d) Whole of Government targets will be recommended by the Strategic Employment Group and set in the new 'Equity and Diversity Plan'. (e) Decisions relating to the Director General's appointment at the Department of Indigenous Affairs have yet to be made.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, OFFICE LEASE SPACE 950. Hon. C.L. Edwardes to the Minister representing the Minister for Housing and Works; Local Government and Regional Development; the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne I refer to the answer to question on notice No. 277 concerning office lease space and ask - (a) in line with the State Labor Government’s election promise to the public of Western Australia on openness and accountability, the WA Business News article of 23 August 2001, entitled ‘Accountability needed, not more posturing’ and that eight Ministers have provided detailed answers, will the Minister now provide a detailed answer to question on Notice No. 277; and (b) if not, why not? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (a)-(b) As the Member would hopefully know, the Minister was first appointed to the Gallop Cabinet on 16 February 2001. Therefore question 277 is not applicable.
HEALTH, MEDICAL INFORMATION ON PRIVATE PATIENTS, CONFIDENTIALITY 962. Dr Constable to the Minister for Health (1) Is any medical information pertaining to illness and treatment of private patients compiled in a central register and made available to medical researchers? (2) If yes, is consent from the patient required before this information can be collected? (3) Who has access to the compiled information and what can it be used for? Mr KUCERA replied: (1) Information about illness and treatment of admitted private patients is compiled at the Department of Health. Information may be made available to medical researchers who submit formal requests related to approved research projects and who meet specified criteria. Conditions related to use of the information are also applied. (2) As part of the admission process, patients give consent for information to be collected by the hospital and, as required by the Hospitals and Health Services Act 1927 some information is forwarded to the Department of Health.
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(3) Authorised staff at the Department of Health have access to the information. The information is used to support the administration of the health system of Western Australia, to meet National and Commonwealth reporting requirements, and for approved health research projects. GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, REPRESENTATION 966. Hon. C.L. Edwardes to the Premier; Minister for Public Sector Management; Federal Affairs; Science; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests I refer to the Premier’s media release entitled ‘More opportunities for indigenous people in Public Service’ dated 22 August 2001, and ask for each Department or agency now under the Premier’s control - (a) how many indigenous people, Level 7 classification and above, were employed in the public sector as at 9 February 2001; (b) of those indigenous people, what was their classification level, position title and agency/department to which each was employed as at 9 February 2001; (c) how many indigenous people, Level 7 classification and above, were employed in the Public Sector as at 31 August 2001; and (d) of those indigenous people, what was their classification level, position title and agency/department to which each was employed at as 31 August 2001? Dr GALLOP replied: I am advised that : (a) Nil. (b) Not applicable. (c) Nil (d) Not applicable. GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, REPRESENTATION 967. Hon. C.L. Edwardes to the Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Energy I refer to the Premier’s media release entitled ‘More opportunities for indigenous people in Public Service’ dated 22 August 2001, and ask for each Department or agency now under the Deputy Premier’s control - (a) how many indigenous people, Level 7 classification and above, were employed in the public sector as at 9 February 2001; (b) of those indigenous people, what was their classification level, position title and agency/department to which each was employed as at 9 February 2001; (c) how many indigenous people, Level 7 classification and above, were employed in the Public Sector as at 31 August 2001; and (d) of those indigenous people, what was their classification level, position title and agency/department to which each was employed at as 31 August 2001? Mr RIPPER replied: Answers from the Office of the Auditor General are as follows: a) Nil b) Not applicable c) Nil d) Not applicable Answers from the Office of Energy are as follows: a) Nil b) Not applicable c) Nil d) Not applicable Answers from the Department of Treasury and Finance are as follows: a) One b) Level 7, Principal Policy Analyst c) One d) Level 7, Principal Policy Analyst
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GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, REPRESENTATION 969. Hon. C.L. Edwardes to the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection; Training I refer to the Premier’s media release entitled ‘More opportunities for indigenous people in Public Service’ dated 22 August 2001, and ask for each Department or agency now under the Minister’s control - (a) how many indigenous people, Level 7 classification and above, were employed in the public sector as at 9 February 2001; (b) of those indigenous people, what was their classification level, position title and agency/department to which each was employed as at 9 February 2001; (c) how many indigenous people, Level 7 classification and above, were employed in the Public Sector as at 31 August 2001; and (d) of those indigenous people, what was their classification level, position title and agency/department to which each was employed at as 31 August 2001? Mr KOBELKE replied: CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION (a) Nil (b) Not applicable (c) Not applicable (d) Not applicable LABOUR RELATIONS DIVISION (a) Nil (b) Not Applicable (c) Nil (d) Not Applicable WORKSAFE WA DIVISION (a) Nil (b)-(d) Not Applicable. WORKCOVER WA (a) Nil. (b) Not applicable. (c) Nil. (d) Not applicable. COMMISSIONER OF WORKPLACE AGREEMENTS (a) Nil (b) Not Applicable (c) Nil (d) Not Applicable WA INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION (a) Nil (b) Not applicable (c) Not applicable (d) Not applicable CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LONG SERVICE LEAVE PAYMENTS BOARD (a) None (b) Not applicable (c) None (d) Not applicable WA DEPT OF TRAINING To improve Indigenous representation in the Western Australian public sector the Department of Training has developed and is coordinating the Indigenous Career Development Program.
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The objective of the program is to promote strong, competitive and effective Indigenous leadership in the Western Australian public sector by facilitating professional and career development for Indigenous employees in middle management (levels 4-8) and fostering a climate that supports cultural diversity. The program, which commenced in August 2000, was developed and is coordinated by the Department of Training in consultation with its program partners, the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and the Department of Indigenous Affairs. No known equivalent program is run by the Commonwealth, or other States and Territories. The Department of Training has also produced a plan called Making It Happen: Improving training and employment opportunities for Indigenous Western Australians for 2001-2005. The plan includes commitments by the Department of Training and TAFE colleges to increase Indigenous representation in their staffing profiles. (a) One (b) Level 7, Director Aboriginal Services, Department of Training. (c) One (d) Level 7, Director Aboriginal Services, Department of Training. CENTRAL TAFE (a) Nil (b) Nil (c) Nil (d) Nil WEST COAST COLLEGE OF TAFE (a) Nil (b) Nil (c) Nil (d) Nil CHALLENGER TAFE (a) Nil (b) Nil (c) Nil (d) Nil SOUTH EAST METROPOLITAN COLLEGE OF TAFE (a) Nil (b) Nil (c) Nil (d) Nil MIDLAND COLLEGE OF TAFE (a) Nil (b) Nil (c) Nil (d) Nil GREAT SOUTHERN TAFE (a) Nil (b) Nil (c) Nil (d) Nil SOUTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE OF TAFE (a) Nil (b) Nil (c) Nil (d) Nil CY O’CONNOR COLLEGE OF TAFE (a) Nil (b) Nil
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(c) Nil (d) Nil CENTRAL WEST COLLEGE OF TAFE (a) Nil (b) Nil (c) Nil (d) Nil WEST PILBARA COLLEGE OF TAFE (a) Nil (b) Nil (c) Nil (d) Nil EASTERN PILBARA COLLEGE OF TAFE (a) Nil (b) Nil (c) Nil (d) Nil KIMBERLEY COLLEGE OF TAFE (a) Nil (b) Nil (c) Nil (d) Nil
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE EMPLOYED 970. Hon. C.L. Edwardes to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage I refer to the Premier’s media release entitled ‘More opportunities for indigenous people in Public Service’ dated 22 August 2001, and ask for each Department or agency now under the Minister’s control - (a) how many indigenous people, Level 7 classification and above, were employed in the public sector as at 9 February 2001; (b) of those indigenous people, what was their classification level, position title and agency/department to which each was employed as at 9 February 2001; (c) how many indigenous people, Level 7 classification and above, were employed in the Public Sector as at 31 August 2001; and (d) of those indigenous people, what was their classification level, position title and agency/department to which each was employed at as 31 August 2001? Dr EDWARDS replied: (a) Nil. (b) Not applicable. (c) Nil. (d) Not applicable.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, REPRESENTATION 972. Hon. C.L. Edwardes to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure I refer to the Premier’s media release entitled ‘More opportunities for indigenous people in Public Service’ dated 22 August 2001, and ask for each Department or agency now under the Minister’s control - (a) how many indigenous people, Level 7 classification and above, were employed in the public sector as at 9 February 2001; (b) of those indigenous people, what was their classification level, position title and agency/department to which each was employed as at 9 February 2001; (c) how many indigenous people, Level 7 classification and above, were employed in the Public Sector as at 31 August 2001; and
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(d) of those indigenous people, what was their classification level, position title and agency/department to which each was employed at as 31 August 2001? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: Department for Planning and Infrastructure; DOLA; Main Roads WA; WAGR; LandCorp; East Perth Redevelopment Authority; Midland Redevelopment Authority; Subiaco Redevelopment Authority; Albany Port Authority; Port of Broome; Bunbury Port Authority; Dampier Port Authority; Esperance Port Authority; Fremantle Port Authority; Geraldton Port Authority; Port Hedland Port Authority: (a) Nil (b) Not applicable. (c) Nil. (d) Not applicable. GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE EMPLOYED 973. Hon. C.L. Edwardes to the Minister for State Development; Tourism; Small Business I refer to the Premier’s media release entitled ‘More opportunities for indigenous people in Public Service’ dated 22 August 2001, and ask for each Department or agency now under the Minister’s control - (a) how many indigenous people, Level 7 classification and above, were employed in the public sector as at 9 February 2001; (b) of those indigenous people, what was their classification level, position title and agency/department to which each was employed as at 9 February 2001; (c) how many indigenous people, Level 7 classification and above, were employed in the Public Sector as at 31 August 2001; and (d) of those indigenous people, what was their classification level, position title and agency/department to which each was employed at as 31 August 2001? Mr BROWN replied: I am advised : Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Western Australian Tourism Commission, Rottnest Island Authority and Small Business Development Corporation: 1.None. 2.Not applicable. 3.None. 4.Not applicable. Department of Industry and Technology: 1.One. 2.Level 7, Team Leader Southern Regions, Office of Aboriginal Economic Development, Industry and Trade Division. 3.One. 4.Level 7, Team Leader Southern Regions, Office of Aboriginal Economic Development, Industry and Trade Division. GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE EMPLOYED
975. Hon. C.L. Edwardes to the Minister for Community Development, Women's Interests, Seniors and Youth; Disability Services; Culture and the Arts I refer to the Premier’s media release entitled ‘More opportunities for indigenous people in Public Service’ dated 22 August 2001, and ask for each Department or agency now under the Minister’s control - (a) how many indigenous people, Level 7 classification and above, were employed in the public sector as at 9 February 2001; (b) of those indigenous people, what was their classification level, position title and agency/department to which each was employed as at 9 February 2001; (c) how many indigenous people, Level 7 classification and above, were employed in the Public Sector as at 31 August 2001; and
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(d) of those indigenous people, what was their classification level, position title and agency/department to which each was employed at as 31 August 2001? Ms McHALE replied: Community Development, Women's Interests, Seniors and Youth: (a) Three (b) Level psal 9 – Director Aboriginal Strategy and Policy, Department for Community Development Level psal 7 – Senior Advisor Aboriginal Services, Department for Community Development Level psal 7 – Principal Policy and Planning Officer, Department for Community Development (acting occupant) (c) Three (d) Level psal 9 – Director Aboriginal Strategy and Policy, Department for Community Development Level psal 7 – Senior Advisor Aboriginal Services, Department for Community Development Level psal 7 – Principal Policy and Planning Officer, Department for Community Development Disability Services Commission and Culture and the Arts: (a) Nil (b) N/A (c) Nil (d) N/A GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE EMPLOYED 977. Hon. C.L. Edwardes to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; the Midwest, Wheatbelt and Great Southern I refer to the Premier’s media release entitled ‘More opportunities for indigenous people in Public Service’ dated 22 August 2001, and ask for each Department or agency now under the Minister’s control - (a) how many indigenous people, Level 7 classification and above, were employed in the public sector as at 9 February 2001; (b) of those indigenous people, what was their classification level, position title and agency/department to which each was employed as at 9 February 2001; (c) how many indigenous people, Level 7 classification and above, were employed in the Public Sector as at 31 August 2001; and (d) of those indigenous people, what was their classification level, position title and agency/department to which each was employed at as 31 August 2001? Mr LOGAN replied: Department of Agriculture (a) Nil (b) Not applicable (c) Nil (d) Not applicable Department of Fisheries (a) Nil (b) Not applicable (c) Nil (d) Not applicable Forest Products Commission (a) Nil (b) Not applicable (c) Nil (d) Not applicable
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Mid West Development Commission (a) Nil (b) Not applicable (c) Nil (d) Not applicable Wheatbelt Development Commission (a) Nil (b) Not applicable (c) Nil (d) Not applicable Great Southern Development Commission (a) Nil (b) Not applicable (c) Nil (d) Not applicable GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, REPRESENTATION 978. Hon. C.L. Edwardes to the Minister representing the Minister for Housing and Works; Local Government and Regional Development; the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne I refer to the Premier’s media release entitled ‘More opportunities for indigenous people in Public Service’ dated 22 August 2001, and ask for each Department or agency now under the Minister’s control - (a) how many indigenous people, Level 7 classification and above, were employed in the public sector as at 9 February 2001; (b) of those indigenous people, what was their classification level, position title and agency/department to which each was employed as at 9 February 2001; (c) how many indigenous people, Level 7 classification and above, were employed in the Public Sector as at 31 August 2001; and (d) of those indigenous people, what was their classification level, position title and agency/department to which each was employed at as 31 August 2001? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: State Supply Commission (a)-(d) Not applicable Gascoyne Development Commission (a)-(d) Not applicable Pilbara Development Commission (a)-(d) Not applicable Kimberley Development Commission (a)-(d) Not applicable Department of Local Government and Regional Development (a)-(d) Not applicable Department of Housing and Works In 1992 Indigenous people represented only 1.5 percent of the Department’s workforce and yet made up a significant proportion of the customer base. The Department recognised that having a workforce that reflected the diversity of its customers was vital to the provision of quality service. As a result, it established its first Aboriginal Employment Strategy. This strategy has been maintained and enhanced ever since. Since the strategy began, the Department has utilised the Aboriginal Traineeship Agreement between the Public Sector Management Division, and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and Small Business. This
4480 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 16 October 2001] partnership has seen over 150 Aboriginal people gain training and employment at entry level, with some participants progressing through to Level 5 since their commencement. Other participants have moved on to other agencies to further their careers. The success of the Department’s strategy is demonstrated by the fact that it currently employs 85 Aboriginal officers, making up 9.6 percent of its staff. This success was recognised through the attainment of the Premier’s Award for Equal Employment Opportunity in 1998. (1) (a) 5 (b) Class 1, Executive Director Aboriginal Housing and Infrastructure Level 7, Manager Aboriginal Home Ownership Level 7, Manager Management Support Programs Level 7, Manager Aboriginal Communities Strategic Investment Program Level 7, Manager Financial Technology Reporting (c) As for (a). (d) As for (b)
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, MOBILE PHONES, HANDS-FREE FACILITIES 980. Hon. C.L. Edwardes to the Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Energy I refer to the answer to question on notice No. 429 in respect to mobile phones, and ask in view of the fact that question without notice No. 126 does not in any way address the core elements of question 429 and the State Government’s policy commitment of accountability, openness and inclusiveness to the public of Western Australia; will the Minister provide a detailed response to question 429? Mr RIPPER replied: I refer the Member to Question Without Notice 126 and the response supplied by the Premier. Since individual Director Generals of Departments are responsible for compliance with legislation in relation to the use of hand held mobile phones in motor vehicles for work purposes, collation of more detailed information would pose an unreasonable administrative burden.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, MOBILE PHONES, HANDS-FREE FACILITIES 982. Hon. C.L. Edwardes to the Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Energy I refer to the answer to question on notice No. 415 in respect to mobile phones, and ask in view of the fact that question without notice No. 126 does not in any way address the core elements of question 415 and the State Government’s policy commitment of accountability, openness and inclusiveness to the public of Western Australia; will the Minister provide a detailed response to question 415? Mr RIPPER replied: I refer the Member to Question Without Notice 126 and the response supplied by the Premier. Since individual Director Generals of Departments are responsible for compliance with legislation in relation to the use of hand held mobile phones in motor vehicles for work purposes, collation of more detailed information would pose an unreasonable administrative burden.
RAILWAYS, GREENWOOD, CLARKSON AND CURRAMBINE STATIONS, TENDERS 992. Hon. C.L. Edwardes to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) Have the tenders been let for the Greenwood, Clarkson and Currambine train stations, and if so, on what date? (2) If not, what date is this expected to happen? (3) Are the services to the above stations, still scheduled to begin in September 2003, as per your Media Release of the 2 May 2001? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1) The tendering process has commenced with Expressions of Interest from suitably experienced and qualified construction contractors advertised on 4 and 11 of August 2001 and closed on 6 September 2001. (2) Tender Documents will be issued to pre-qualified tenderers as follows : Currambine: 29 October, 2001 Clarkson: 6 February, 2002 Greenwood: 28 May, 2002
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Contracts are expected to be awarded at the latest by the following dates : Currambine: 5 February, 2002 Clarkson: 21 May, 2002 Greenwood: 3 September, 2002 (3) Yes. Construction is expected to be completed as follows : Currambine: March 2003 Clarkson: April 2003 Greenwood: July 2003 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, PASSIVE SMOKE HAZARD 996. Dr Woollard to the Minister for Health (1) Has the Health Department ever sought legal advice about the conflict between the requirement that employers protect employees from the hazard of passive smoke in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 1996 and the exemption for staff working in hotel bars and the casino in the Health (Smoking in Enclosed Public Places) Regulations 1999. (2) If so, I ask that a copy of the advice be tabled. Mr KUCERA replied: (1) No. (2) Not applicable. SAWMILL, YARLOOP, AUDIT OF LOG STOCKPILES 997. Dr Woollard to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (1) Has an independent audit of log stockpiles been undertaken for the sawmill owned (or operated) by SOTICO in Yarloop? (2) Is SOTICO having new logs delivered to the Yarloop sawmill for milling? (3) If so, why is SOTICO not utilising its extensive stockpile of logs at Yarloop sawmill in preference to cutting down more trees? Mr LOGAN replied: (1) No. The Conservation Commission is in the process of conducting an audit of log stockpiles and will be targeting log landings in the forest rather than sawmills. (2) Yes. (3) The quantity of sawlogs which are harvested and delivered to sawmills is strictly controlled by the Forest Products Commission to achieve annual contracted levels. The sawmilling company is responsible for managing how the logs are processed through its mill. Sawlogs are stockpiled at sawmill landings as a deliberate strategy for environmental reasons so that harvesting operations which produce sawlogs from the forest can be concentrated during the dry summer months. In order to prevent the sawmill from closing down during winter when log deliveries are low or cease altogether sawlogs are stockpiled during summer and used progressively through the winter and spring periods. Sawlog harvesting operations and deliveries to sawmills restart during the late spring/early summer period as soil conditions dry out. WOOD BURNING FOR ENERGY, USE IN PROJECTS 998. Dr Woollard to the Minister for Energy (1) Are there any projects currently proposed, being considered, or under way in Western Australia that involve burning wood for energy? (2) If so - (a) who is the proponent; (b) where is the project located; (c) what is the Government’s role in this project; (d) what species and volume of wood will be used by this project; (e) what type and amount of energy will this project produce; and
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(f) how and by whom will the energy be consumed? Mr RIPPER replied: (1) Renewable energy is a growing industry. There are a number of proposals at an early stage that involve wood. These do not involve burning of wood but rather gasification by applying pressure and heat. Several biomass projects are at a commercially confidential stage of consideration. However, details of two projects are able to be released. (2) Western Power's Narrogin Biomass Plant: (a) Western Power. (b) Narrogin. (c) The Government owns Western Power, but does not have any direct role in the Western Power venture. (d) The plant will use oil mallee trees grown in an agro-forestry arrangement. It is expected that several million trees would be required. (e) The plant will be capable of generating 1 MW of electricity. (f) Electricity will be supplied to the South West Interconnected Grid at Narrogin and consumed by Western Power customers. Metasource Pty Ltd Proposed Biomass Plant: (a) Metasource Pty Ltd (a 100% subsidiary of Woodside Energy Ltd). (b) The biomass-fuelled power plant would be constructed near Esperance. (c) As the Metasource proposal is a private venture, the State Government does not have any direct role other than to provide for the opportunity for its development through the Regional Power Procurement Process. (d) The proposal would involve the planting and harvesting of Western Australian Oil Mallee trees in an agro forestry arrangement. It is estimated that several million trees would be required. (e) The Metasource proposal would be capable of generating 5.0 MW of electricity. (f) The electricity would be supplied to the Western Power grid at Esperance. Electricity may be sold for distribution to Western Power customers or may supply contestable customers.
SOUTHERN RAIL LINK, SOUTH PERTH-COMO AND SALTER POINT 1004. Hon. P.G. Pendal to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure I refer to the Government’s decision to direct the southern suburbs railway through South Perth-Como-Salter Point and ask - (a) has the proposal been made the subject of an Environmental Impact Study by the EPA; (b) if so, what level of study has been allocated to the proposal; and (c) when is it proposed to complete the study? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (a) No (b) The proposal has been referred to the Environmental Protection Authority, seeking the level of assessment. (c) Once the level of assessment has been received, a timeframe can be determined.
SOUTHERN RAIL LINK, MT HENRY BRIDGE 1008. Hon. P.G. Pendal to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure I refer to the Government’s decision to re-route the southern suburbs railway across Mt Henry Bridge and ask - (a) is it conceded by the Government that a railway crossing the bridge at this point may create noise and visual intrusion; (b) if so, has this been taken into account in any studies undertaken by the Government; (c) if so, will the Minister table any data; and
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(d) does the Minister acknowledge that if a rail tunnel were to be built in preference to a bridge link that noise and visual effects would not be issues at this peninsula? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (a) No human imprint on the natural environment can avoid some impact. (b) Protection of the environmental amenity of this area will be a priority. (c) Any reports and data will be available after the Government has had the opportunity to consider the Supplementary Master Plan and any of its recommendations. (d) This question, in isolation of cost impacts and other issues is meaningless. RAILWAYS, BUFFER ZONES AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 1009. Mr Masters to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage (1) Is it a recommended or suggested policy of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) or of the Department of Environmental Protection for a non-residential buffer area or resident exclusion zone of some 500 metre radius to be located around all future railway stations and along all future railway lines? (2) What mechanisms are available to the public of Western Australia to request that the EPA assess the environmental impacts of a major public transport proposal such as the southern rail line? (3) Is it appropriate for the EPA, as part of an assessment of the environmental and social impacts of a public transport project such as the southern rail line, to assess the veracity of claimed environmental benefits such as reduced car usage and improvements in urban air quality? Dr EDWARDS replied: (1) No, the EPA or DEP does not have such a policy. (2) Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act provides for processes for environmental impact assessment of proposals by the Environmental Protection Authority. In the case of the southern rail line, the Environmental Protection Authority has recently advised that it will be assessing the proposal as a Public Environmental Review. (3) The EPA may consider these matters as part of its assessment of the proposal. WESTERN POWER, USE OF SPRAYS ON PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL PROPERTIES 1012. Mr Masters to the Minister for Energy (1) Does Western Power accept that it has a responsibility to private landowners whose properties are traversed by power lines to ensure that sprays used to control plant growth or protect poles do not have any impact on the health or quality of products from livestock or crops? (2) What is Western Power's general policy on the use of sprays, either with or without the landowner's permission, on private agricultural properties? (3) What liability does Western Power accept for health or product quality impacts from its use of sprays on private agricultural properties? (4) Where Western Power vehicles enter upon private property, what procedures must be applied to ensure that seeds of noxious or declared plant species such as double gee or paterson's curse are not spread? (5) Should a Western Power vehicle be shown beyond reasonable doubt to have caused noxious or declared plants to be introduced to a private property, what liability will the corporation accept to eradicate the plants and, if appropriate, compensate the affected landowner? (6) What evidence exists to show that electromagnetic radiation from power lines has no adverse impacts on livestock using a paddock through which a transmission line passes? Mr RIPPER replied: (1) Yes. (2) Western Power's current policy is to use chemicals as a last resort. Western Power uses only non-residual chemicals approved for use by State and Commonwealth authorities. (3) Western Power is a responsible provider of electricity and works within the requirements of State and Commonwealth law. If it can be shown that Western Power has been negligent in its duties, liability can then be decided on the relevant facts. (4) In areas where these noxious or declared pest plant species are known Western Power adopts the relevant methods to minimise the risk of spread of these plants. This can vary from sprays to bagging down the wheels
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and collecting seeds for disposal by incineration. Western Power takes the Agriculture Western Australia's advice on these matters. (5) If it can be shown that Western Power has been negligent in its duties, liability can then be decided on the relevant facts. (6) Western Power is not aware of any evidence that shows adverse effects to livestock or crops from electromagnetic forces from transmission lines. ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION LINE, WATERLOO-BUSSELTON 1013. Mr Masters to the Minister for Energy (1) I refer to the proposed new electricity transmission line to be constructed next year between Waterloo and Busselton and ask can the power line be located along the new Busselton Bypass, wherever possible, so as to minimise its impact and use of private properties? (2) As an alternative, can the power line be located along the Boyanup to Wonnerup railway reserve? (3) What compensation is payable to private landowners where the powerline must be located on private rather than public land? Mr RIPPER replied: (1) No. The Busselton Bypass is a Controlled Access Road. Main Roads WA has advised that it would not support the Waterloo-Busselton transmission line being located within Controlled Access Roads. Locating the proposed transmission in the Busselton Bypass reserve would also place the transmission line in close proximity to a large number of residences. The suggested location of the transmission line would therefore not minimise the impact on private properties. (2) The Boyanup to Wonnerup railway reserve contains significant populations of Threatened Ecological Communities, Declared Rare Flora and Priority Listed Flora. The Department of Conservation has advised that it would not be possible for Western Power to locate the transmission line within this rail reserve without causing unacceptable environmental impacts. It is the view of Western Power that environmental approval for such an alignment would not be granted by the EPA. (3) The methodology for calculating compensation payable to individual landholders is not determined by Western Power, nor does Western Power determine the amount of compensation to be paid. Licensed valuers calculate compensation payable utilising standard accepted principles of valuation in accordance with relevant statutes.
WESTERN POWER, FARM ANIMALS CONTAMINATED BY USE OF SPRAYS 1014. Mr Masters to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (1) Is the Minister aware of any past instances of farm animals being contaminated by sprays used by Western Power to control vegetation growth beneath power lines or to protect power poles from termites, etc? (2) If the ingestion of such sprays impacts upon the quality of meat produced by grazing animals, what implications does this pose to Western Australian farmers who are required to meet quality assurance and other product quality standards for the export trade? (3) Is the Minister aware of any risks to livestock from electromagnetic radiation that is generated by high voltage power lines? Mr LOGAN replied: (1) I am not aware of any instances of farm animals being contaminated by sprays used by Western Power to control vegetation growth beneath power lines. There have been instances of cattle detected with dieldrin residues as a result of consuming soil around power poles. Investigation of these cases has show that where cattle disturb the soil at the base of a power pole a few animals in the mob may take in sufficient soil with dieldrin residues to result in violative levels. Up until 1983, Western Power (then the State Electricity Commission) used aldrin in a mixture poured around the base of power poles to protect them from termites. Aldrin breaks down into dieldrin. Power poles around which soil is not disturbed do not constitute a significant risk to animals. There is no known evidence that spraying weedicides under power transformers and switch poles has resulted in any residue problems. However, all producers should observe grazing withholding periods whenever sprays are used. (2) If sprays are used and animals are exposed within the period specified on the vendor declaration this should be declared. Documentation of spraying carried out would be considered part of normal management in a quality assurance program.
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"Cattlecare", the major cattle quality assurance scheme, requires all potential sources of residues to be identified and this includes power poles. Where cattle have access to Western Power poles I am advised that at the request of the owner, Western Power will determine if the poles have been treated, and if required undertake appropriate remedial action to prevent cattle coming in contact with the residues. Until such remedial action is taken producers can meet quality assurance requirements by checking that soil around poles has not been disturbed. If poles have been disturbed the owner should seek advice from the Department of Agriculture on the appropriate action. (3) I am not aware of any risks to livestock from electromagnetic radiation generated by power lines. PHOTOGRAPHS OF PRIVATE RESIDENCES, LEGALITY OF USE 1015. Mr Masters to the Minister for Consumer and Employment Protection (1) Under what Act is it prohibited for a person to take an unsolicited photograph of a private residence or other property that is not for sale? (2) Once such a photograph has been taken, under what Act is it prohibited for that photograph to then be placed into a database of photos and addresses that is accessible to the public without the property owner's approval? (3) Once such a database has been prepared, under what Act is it prohibited for it to be sold to real estate agents and other people or businesses who may have an interest in soliciting the private owner, without the private owner's explicit approval for the sale of his/her property's photo? (4) Is the Minister aware of similar complaints or concerns that have been presented to his department? (5) Are there any cases where such databases have been used for illegal purposes, for example burglary? Mr KOBELKE replied: (1) I am not aware of any Act that prohibits a person taking a photo of a private residence or property that is not for sale. (2)-(5) Not applicable. SCHOOLS, RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS ON SITE FOR CARETAKERS 1017. Mr Masters to the Minister for Education (1) Has the Education Department investigated the potential of constructing a residential dwelling on each school site and employing a full or part-time caretaker as a possible deterrent to the ever-increasing cost and frequency of vandalism at public schools? (2) If yes, what arguments exist in support of or against such a proposal, including the ability of the caretaker to undertake maintenance and other appropriate duties? (3) If yes, what is the Education Department's recommendation on this idea as a solution to vandalism? (4) If not, will the Minister direct the Department to investigate the suggestion and provide advice on its findings in due course? Mr CARPENTER replied: (1) No. (2)-(3) N/A. (4) The Department of Education has in the past had residential dwellings on school grounds for principals and/or caretakers at some locations. The provision of a single employee or contractor to act as a security guard for the school after hours and provide a maintenance role for the school at other times is not considered practical or cost effective. It would not be possible for one person to undertake such a role. The Department also recognises the significant risks inherent in having one person attempting to provide security to schools. For this reason all security patrols consist of two persons and even in these circumstances there are incidents of injury and health risks encountered. COMMUNITY DRUG SUMMIT OFFICE, ESTABLISHMENT 1018. Hon. C.L. Edwardes to the Minister for Health (1) When was the Community Drug Summit Office established? (2) How many staff are in the office? (3) What are the names, classification levels and titles of each of the officers?
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(4) What are the proposed annual salaries and wages of the office for the 2000/01 and 2001/02 budgets? (5) What are the total operating expenses of the office for 2000/01 and 2001/02, excluding salaries and wages? (6) What was the total cost of running the Community Drug Summit, inclusive of salaries and wages? Mr KUCERA replied: (1) April 2001 (2) Six (3) (i) Dr Denzil McCotter, Director Individual contract (ii) Mr Gary Casey, Assistant Director HSOA Level 12 (iii) Mr Philip Hands, Executive Officer HSOA Level 7 (iv) Mrs Jean Entwistle, Office Manager HSOA Level 6 (v) Ms Meredith McDermott, Information Officer HSOA Level 3 (commenced May 2001) (vi) Ms Rochelle Coleman, Community Consultation PSA Level 6 (commenced June 2001) Coordinator Staff (i) to(v) are Metropolitan Health Service (MHS) employees and continue to be paid by the MHS. Staff (vi) is an employee of WA Drug Abuse Strategy Office (WADASO) and is paid by that organisation. (4) Nil. The Community Drug Summit Office (CDSO) has no salaries and wages budget. All of the staff listed in question three (3) have been loaned from the MHS or WADASO and are fully funded by those organisations. (5) The total operating expenses for the CDSO (excluding salaries and wages) for: 2000/2001 = $95,000 2001/2002 = $300,000 (6) Other goods and services = $395,000 Salaries and Wages (paid by the MHS and WADASO) = $203,000 Total cost until 1 October 2001 = $598,000 HEALTH, CREATION OF 12 POSITIONS 1019. Hon. C.L. Edwardes to the Minister for Health I refer to an article in The West Australian on 20 July 2001 entitled ‘Bid to streamline senior health jobs’ and ask the Minister to provide the following - (a) the title of each of the twelve new positions; (b) the classification level for each position; (c) the salary level for each position; (d) the total salaries and wages bill for the new positions; (e) the name of the occupants of each of the new positions; (f) the total salaries and wages bill of positions abolished to fund the new positions; (g) the titles of each of the positions abolished; (h) the classification levels of the positions abolished; and (i) the names of the occupants of the abolished positions? Mr KUCERA replied: (a)-(i) I am advised by the Department of Health that the creation of the above 12 positions are deferred at this stage.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, STAFF STATISTICS 1021. Hon. C.L. Edwardes to the Premier; Minister for Public Sector Management; Federal Affairs; Science; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests I refer to the answer to question on notice No. 237 concerning staffing and salary issues, and to the State Labor Government’s election promise on openness and accountability and ask - (a) how does the Minister reconcile the answer given when six Ministers have responded in detail; (b) will the Minister now answer Question 237; and (c) if not, why not?
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Dr GALLOP replied: (a)-(c) The information requested relates to historical staffing information which is not readily available from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet's Human Resource Information System. Owing to the mobile nature of a large proportion of the Department's staff, the provision of a precise answer would involve manually checking files and documents, which in many cases are no longer in the possession of the Department having been returned to other Departments due to staff movements that have occurred since February 2001. I am not prepared to allocate the necessary resources to provide a response. If the Member has a specific inquiry I will endeavour to provide a reply.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES, STAFF STATISTICS 1027. Hon. C.L. Edwardes to the Minister representing the Minister for Housing and Works; Local Government and Regional Development; the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne I refer to the answer to question on notice No. 249 concerning staffing and salary issues, and to the State Labor Government’s election promise on openness and accountability and ask - (a) how does the Minister reconcile the answer given when six Ministers have responded in detail; (b) will the Minister now answer Question 249; and (c) if not, why not? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (a)-(c) In response to Question on Notice No 249, the Minister advises that he was first appointed as a Minister in the Gallop Government on 16 February 2001, and that he is not at this time prepared to request his Chief Executives to allocate the resources necessary to research and collate information relative to the activities of the previous administration in reference to these matters. However, the member is most welcome to position with the Minister any specific concerns for consideration and investigation.
STATE DEVELOPMENT, REVIEW OF APPROVALS PROCESS FOR MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS 1031. Mr Masters to the Minister for State Development (1) Will the recently announced formal review of the approval process for major developments in the State include a consideration of the environmental impact assessment process as it affects major development proposals? (2) If yes, what input will be sought from Government agencies that have a statutory role in environmental impact assessment and related responsibilities? (3) If yes, what input will be sought from the general community, in particular from community groups, to ensure that their views are duly considered. Mr BROWN replied: (1)-(3) The formal review of approvals processes will include consideration of environmental legislation. The precise details of the operation of the review are presently being worked out between the Government and Mr Michael Keating as head of the Review Team. However, the member is assured that a wide range of inputs will be sought as part of the review including from Government agencies and the general community. The first step in the process was the placement of an advertisement of an advertisement in the 'West Australian' on Saturday 22 September 2001.
STATE DEVELOPMENT FORUM, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 1032. Mr Masters to the Minister for State Development (1) Will the recently announced State Development Forum include members of the broader community, in particular, those with an interest in environmental protection, so that Western Australia’s unique and valuable environment is considered as being at least as important as economic development? (2) If not, why not? (3) If yes, what actions will the Minister implement to ensure that environmental protection is given appropriate consideration by the Forum? Mr BROWN replied: I am advised that:
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(1)-(2) The State Development Forum that I have established will operate as a 'think tank' to provide a strategic link between Government, industry, academia and the community. Its role will be to provide advice and guidance to myself on economic and industry matters of a strategic nature affecting Western Australia's economic performance. The Forum will be comprised of 10-12 eminent persons from a diverse range of fields. Forum members will be appointed based on their individual attributes and ability to contribute to the economic strategic direction for Western Australia. I recently announced the initial 6 members of the Forum and, at our first meeting early in October, I will be seeking their advice on who might be best equipped to join us and contribute to our discussions. I am confident that the relationship between environmental concerns and economic development will be well considered by the members of the Forum. (3) I am confident that the members of Forum will give due consideration to environmental protection in their deliberations and advice. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ADVISORY SERVICE FOR GARDENERS 1035. Hon. P.G. Pendal to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (1) I refer to the Department of Agriculture’s successful advisory service for gardeners and ask what number of clients annually access the service? (2) Is it correct that a fee-for-service introduced by the Court Government has now been abolished? (3) Why was that action taken? (4) Is it also correct, however, that the number of staff employed in the advisory service has now been halved? (5) If so, why? Mr LOGAN replied: (1) In 2000/01, the service handled 7,235 inquiries. (2) Yes (3) A change in policy by the Department to have a common free-call access number 'Access Line' for all inquiries to the Department. (4) No. (5) Not applicable
MARINE OFFICERS, PEEL REGION 1042. Mr Marshall to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) Is the Minister aware that extra marine officers are needed in the Peel Region? (2) If so – (a) how many extra officers can this region expect; and (b) when will these officers become available? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1) I am aware that the waterways in the Peel Region are extremely busy during the peak summer boating season and can advise that the Department for Planning and Infrastructure has instigated various strategies to ensure appropriate resources are available. (2) There are currently four full time Marine officers to cover the Peel Region on a seven-day week basis with emphasis on weekends and public holidays. During the busier summer season, an additional four temporary Marine Officers are contracted to support all metropolitan operations and assist at Mandurah as required. The Department for Planning and Infrastructure has also cross-authorised four Mandurah Fisheries WA Officers and six City of Mandurah Rangers to enable them to monitor compliance with good order regulations on the waterways. In addition, a new initiative is the appointment of Volunteer Safety Liaison Officers to assist with the provision of education and advice to recreational boat users in the area. It is envisaged that there will be three or four such volunteers lending assistance in Mandurah next summer. SPORT AND RECREATION, PRIORITY RANKING FOR FUNDING OF SPORT FACILITIES 1044. Mr Marshall to the Minister for Sport and Recreation With sports such as soccer, rugby, tennis, baseball, rowing and women’s basketball all seeking top line facilities, will the Minister advise – (a) has a priority ranking been determined and if so what is it; and
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(b) when will the number one listed sport facility be built? Mr CARPENTER replied: (a)-(b) The draft State Sporting Facilities Plan will not be available until late September 2001. SPORT AND RECREATION, ABC TELEVISION COVERAGE 1045. Mr Marshall to the Minister for Sport and Recreation I refer to the statement made by the Minister prior to attending the annual State Sport Minister’s Conference that his priority agenda was to keep Channel 2 sport, especially WAFL football and netball, viewing available to the country and ask will the Minister advise - (a) what was the Conference decision; and (b) when will an announcement be made by ABC TV? Mr CARPENTER replied: (a) Resolved to support the following resolution: 'That the Sport and Recreation Minister's Council (SRMC) calls upon the ABC to maintain its commitment to television coverage of national and State-based sporting events such as netball, football and basketball. That SRMC believes any decision by the ABC to withdraw such television coverage of national and State-based sporting events will have a severe and negative impact on the sports involved through loss of profile, loss of sponsorship and subsequent potential for decline in participation.' A letter was sent from the Chair of SRMC, on behalf of SRMC, to the ASC Board supporting the above resolution. (b) ABC TV released a media statement on 14 September 2001 advising that coverage of the Women's National Basketball League and National Netball League competitions would continue as per their contracts. Two netball games per week and one basketball game per week for the duration of their next seasons. At this time it was also announced that coverage of the Men's National Basketball League would not be continued. Coverage of State based football games such as the WA Football League competition is yet to be decided.
PEEL THUNDER FOOTBALL CLUB, FUNDING FOR APPEAL ON LICENCE 1048. Mr Marshall to the Minister for Sport and Recreation (1) Given the Minister’s interest and concern that Peel Thunder Football Club should stay in the Western Australian Football League competition is the Minister aware that Peel Thunder Directors have lodged an appeal through the Courts to ensure that their license will be granted for the 2002 season? (2) Will the Minister, through his Sport and Recreation budget, assist Peel Thunder Football Club to finance the court appeal? (3) If yes, to what extent? (4) If not, why not? Mr CARPENTER replied: (1) Yes (2) No (3) N/A (4) N/A
DRUG SUMMIT, COST 1049. Mr Bradshaw to the Minister for Health Further to the answer to question on notice No. 903 I ask - (a) who determined the basis of the usual salary rates; and (b) how many hours did each Chairperson participate in the Summit?
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Mr KUCERA replied: (a) The organisations for whom the Hon. Fred Chaney, Professor Liz Harman and Ms Jade McSherry work for determined their usual salaries, ie. Hon Fred Chaney - National Native Title Tribunal (1 week salary) Professor Liz Harman - Edith Cowan University (2 weeks salary) Ms Jade McSherry - Teen Challenge (1 week salary) (b) Pre-summit meetings 15 hours Summit (12-17 August 2001) 64 hours Plus reading and preparation time for the Summit. SEWERAGE SERVICES, CHARGES IN COUNTRY AREAS 1052. Mr Trenorden to the Minister representing the Minister for Government Enterprises When will the review of alternatives for sewerage charges, as part of an overall reform program designed to move from a valuation basis for water and sewerage tariffs to one which is based on the 'pay for use' principle for commercial properties in country areas, be completed? Mr RIPPER replied: The Corporation is currently analysing alternative charging options for country sewerage services. Information on the number of major fixtures and the volume discharged to the sewer has been collected for commercial properties in a number of country towns. This information will allow tariff structures similar to the metropolitan commercial sewerage tariff to be modelled. It is anticipated that the results of this review will available to the Government by the middle of 2002. INDIAN OCEAN DRIVE, LANCELIN-CERVANTES, CONSTRUCTION 1054. Mr McNee to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure (1) I refer to the answer to question on notice No.106 and ask will the Minister advise why she stated at the Mid West Economic Summit held in Geraldton recently that ‘the Labor Government has different priorities to the previous Government and Indian Ocean Drive is not one of them’? (2) It is not likely to be included in the budget which will be presented in September? (3) Will the Minister advise what the Government’s priorities are in regard to transport in Western Australia? (4) Will the Minister advise why, given the very real concerns of the tourism industry regarding delays to the development of this road, and the proposed investment plans made subject to the completion of the road by 2003, this project has been delayed by two years when financing to the tune of $1.35 million towards the cost of the road will be lost if the project does not proceed on time? Ms MacTIERNAN replied: (1)-(4) The construction of Indian Ocean Drive between Lancelin and Cervantes remains an important project. However, as the Member would be aware, when the Labor Government came to frame its first Budget, we found that a number of projects had been left unfunded by the previous Government. One of these projects was the rail component of the Geraldton Southern Transport Corridor. As a result of this situation, together with a reduction in projected revenue, some projects simply had to be deferred in order to bring others forward. Main Roads is continuing to work to ensure that construction of the road between Lancelin and Cervantes can proceed at the earliest possible date. The project is currently being assessed by the Environmental Protection Authority and subject to environmental approval and land excision, construction is expected to commence in 2003/04 and to be completed in 2005/06. MANDURAH HEALTH CAMPUS, BED OCCUPANCY 1069. Mr Bradshaw to the Minister for Health (1) What is the current bed occupancy of the Mandurah Health Campus? (2) As the number of beds in the Peel Region is 2.27 per 1000 persons and the lowest in Western Australia, will the Government upgrade or build the new hospital previously promised at Pinjarra? (3) How long before the public can expect to see the Pinjarra Hospital rebuilt or upgraded? Mr KUCERA replied: (1) The occupancy rates for this financial year at the Mandurah Health Campus are as follows:
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July 2001 = 73% August 2001 = 79% ie. YTD August 2001 = 76% This rate does not include newborns or boarders, which would only have a marginal impact. (2)-(3) Contract documentation for the Murray District Hospital (Pinjarra) is on hold until health service planning is finalised and appropriate facility requirements are determined for this Health Service. This will follow implementation of the Health Administrative Review Committee (HARC) recommendations. The HARC Report (page 17) included the following recommendations for non-metropolitan (country) health services: '7. (i)A review be carried out over a six month period to develop the optimal approach to administration and co-ordination of non-metropolitan Boards and services. 7. (ii) The needs and concerns of non-metropolitan residents, local government and other relevant parties should be sought through an extensive consultation process. This should include consideration of aligning some broad regional boundaries with those used by the Regional Development Commissions in the interests of consistency for planning and other purposes.' The State budget recognises that a number of hospitals may have urgent construction needs. Those hospitals will have access to $11.5 million cash-flowed this financial year from statewide allocations for Hospital Equipment and Maintenance, Infrastructure and Equipment Planning and Major Medical Equipment. ______