Legislative Assembly Tuesday, 3 June 2003 THE SPEAKER (Mr F. Riebeling) took the Chair at 2.00 pm, and read prayers. NEW METRORAIL PROJECT, SHORTLIST OF CONSORTIA FOR THE PERTH CITY SECTION Statement by Minister for Planning and Infrastructure MS A.J. MacTIERNAN (Armadale - Minister for Planning and Infrastructure) [2.02 pm]: I am pleased to advise the House that two construction teams, both containing companies with significant bore tunnelling experience, have been selected to prepare detailed proposals for design and construction of the Perth city section of the New MetroRail project, worth over $200 million. The contract will be a relationship-based model, enabling more flexibility in scope changes and risk management, which is highly desirable with such a complex project. The project includes tunnels and underground stations within the Perth CBD, to bring the fast direct Mandurah-Perth railway from the Narrows Bridge to the city station. The two consortia have been short-listed from a high-quality field of five contenders made up of local, national and international companies. The two teams are CityConnect, which is comprised of the Clough-McConnell Dowell-Obayashi joint venture. Clough is a major local construction company with a strong national and overseas track record. McConnell Dowell is a large multinational company with extensive project experience, including in underground works. Obayashi is a major Japanese underground construction specialist with extensive tunnelling experience. Leighton-Kumagai Gumi is the second team. Leighton Pty Ltd is a major Australian construction company with extensive local, national and international experience. Kumagai Gumi is another major Japanese underground construction specialist with extensive tunnelling experience. Obayashi and Kumagai Gumi have extensive experience in bored tunnelling for underground metropolitan rail projects including in Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong. The teams were selected on the basis of demonstrated capability to successfully carry out the city project works. Applicants were assessed on financial capacity, management systems, resources and experience, understanding of key issues, programming and management of public relations, safety and environment. CityConnect and Leighton-Kumagai Gumi are outstanding teams with extensive local and international experience and proven track records in on-time and on-cost delivery. Under the innovative relationship-based design and construct contract model we have adopted for the city project, the two teams will prepare detailed proposals over a three-month period, leading to selection of a preferred proponent. In recognition of the expertise and expense required for this project, the model provides for payment of a design fee to the unsuccessful proponent in return for rights to intellectual property contained in the bid. This approach will enable the Government to realise the full benefit of the highly specialised design skills required to prepare bids and ensures that the significant commitment required of the proponents is recognised. The relationship-contracting model encourages the contracting parties to work together in the delivery of the work, incorporating risk-sharing mechanisms and rewards for outstanding contractor performance. This approach has been enthusiastically received by industry. It is expected the preferred proponent will be selected by the end of 2003, with construction to commence early in 2004. NEW HEALTH PRACTITIONER LEGISLATION FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA Statement by Minister for Health MR R.C. KUCERA (Yokine - Minister for Health) [2.05 pm]: I take this opportunity to update the House on the progress the Government is making on the health practitioner legislation. In June 2001 the Department of Health published “Key Directions, Review of Western Australian Health Practitioner Legislation”, which stated the Government’s commitment to enacting new health practitioner legislation. Western Australia’s obligations under the Competition Principles Agreement 1995 required further review of practice protection for regulated health practitioner groups and an examination of restriction of clinical practices to particular health professions. In March this year, the discussion paper “National Competition Policy Review of Practice Protection for Regulated Western Australian Health Practitioners” was released. The paper contained information regarding consultation arrangements, national competition policy, current legislation and how the review of practice protection relates to recommendations for new health practitioner legislation for our State. The Government has approved the drafting of replacement legislation for chiropractors, dentists, dental prosthetists, nurses, occupational therapists, optometrists, osteopaths, physiotherapists, podiatrists and psychologists. A consultation process is in progress to seek the views of the various health professional groups to ensure that their needs are reflected in the provisions of the new legislation. A template Bill, modelled on the current Osteopaths Act, will be available for consultation in a matter of weeks. This will provide a further opportunity for comment on profession-specific issues. However, due to the extensive 8000 [ASSEMBLY - Tuesday, 3 June 2003] consultation already undertaken, it is anticipated that the Bill will require only minor amendments to suit each health practitioner profession. In addition to this process, I will also be seeking approval for the preparation of a new Medical Act to implement the outcomes of the extensive consultation undertaken through the Medical Act review. I also draw the House’s attention to pharmacy legislation, which is a matter dear to the member for Ballajura’s heart. The Council of Australian Governments commissioned a national review of restrictions on competition in state, territory and commonwealth pharmacy legislation in 1999. The COAG report “National Competition Policy Review of Pharmacy Legislation”, chaired by Warwick Wilkinson, AM, was released in February 2000. COAG referred the Wilkinson report to a senior official working group, consisting of representatives from the Commonwealth Government, States and Territories, for detailed advice regarding the recommendations. The Prime Minister released the working group’s response to the Wilkinson report in August 2002. The Government has begun consultation with pharmacy groups about the outcomes of the pharmacy review and will consider options for the reform of the industry shortly. In closing, many health practitioner groups and individuals have raised issues regarding health practitioner legislation with my staff and me. The contribution made by the many health practitioners in reviewing the legislation to date is valued. I put on record my thanks to health professionals in this State for their input into the review process. LAKE ARGYLE TOURIST VILLAGE, REDEVELOPMENT Statement by Minister for Planning and Infrastructure MS A.J. MacTIERNAN (Armadale - Minister for Planning and Infrastructure) [2.09 pm]: During Cabinet’s recent visit to the East Kimberley, I announced a plan to redevelop a neglected tourist facility on the shores of Lake Argyle to provide a major boost to Kimberley tourism. The Department of Land Administration has called for expressions of interest in redeveloping the Lake Argyle Village, 30 kilometres south of Kununurra by air or 70 kilometres by road. The former construction camp for the Ord Dam could have a new lease of life as a modern, low-impact, tourist destination. Properly developed and marketed, the 10-hectare site could become a major drawcard. It provides unparalleled access to the 55 kilometre-long Ramsar Convention listed lake and the fish and wildlife, including crocodiles, rock wallabies and numerous bird species, living in and alongside it. The village has stunning views of the lake. The selected developer will be offered a 21-year lease, with a subsequent 21-year option, on the 10-hectare site. The site includes a 100-bay caravan park, a camping ground and 24 asbestos motel units which, as part of the arrangement, will need to be removed. Lake Argyle already attracts about 50 000 visitors each year. During the wet season the Lake Argyle spillway claims the title of Australia’s largest white water, boasting up to class-7 rapids. A new successful tourist facility would also generate new opportunities for regional tour operators and other local businesses. Currently two commercial cruise operators are based at the village. The Department of Land Administration has worked hard to ensure the tender document reflects input from local communities, industry, local government and government agencies. QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE REVENUE FROM MULTANOVAS 732. Mr C.J. BARNETT to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services: I refer to reports in The West Australian on 29 May 2003 that 8 525 speeders were caught by the 10 Multanovas placed on the freeway last week. (1) Can the minister confirm that this nine-and-a-half-hour experiment will net the State Government at least $400 000, which equates to more than $44 000 an hour? (2) Will the minister guarantee to the House that all that speed camera revenue will be directed to specific and genuine road safety projects? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: (1)-(2) I thank the Leader of the Opposition for this question. The answer to the first question is no and the answer to the second question is yes. Not everyone who was caught speeding during that time was given an infringement notice. In fact,