Mr BURKE - 2001-11-27
Madam Speaker, I remind the minister that there is no detail in the mini-budget on the capital works program, notwithstanding the fact your Chief Minister has said there will be $15m extra provided for parts of the capital works program, $6m extra for repairs and maintenance and $4m extra for minor new works. None of that detail is in the budget.
On behalf of period contractors who undertake essential road and culvert maintenance to ensure our roads are safe for the travelling public: are you aware that these contractors have experienced a rapid reduction of work since the election of the Labor government, so much so that some contractors may be out of business by Christmas unless work is forthcoming?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I again thank the member for Brennan for bringing to the House’s attention their inability, inefficiency - somebody mentioned skulduggery - about the funding program. Let me tell you, Madam Speaker, and the members opposite ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: ... that insufficient cash was allocated for period contracts. There was not enough cash to attend to other problems when they arose, like the floods. They took money from one bucket to put in another and, as a result, the period contractors were left out there in the lurch. Contractors were coming to us until yesterday and complaining about the lack of work, because there was not enough money to do the work that is required for road maintenance and repairs. We had to find money to allocate for period contracts for these people to start working.
As for the capital works programs, I am referring to page 65, 66 and 67 of the Budget Paper No 3. You can have a very close look at what we are actually doing.
On behalf of period contractors who undertake essential road and culvert maintenance to ensure our roads are safe for the travelling public: are you aware that these contractors have experienced a rapid reduction of work since the election of the Labor government, so much so that some contractors may be out of business by Christmas unless work is forthcoming?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I again thank the member for Brennan for bringing to the House’s attention their inability, inefficiency - somebody mentioned skulduggery - about the funding program. Let me tell you, Madam Speaker, and the members opposite ...
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr VATSKALIS: ... that insufficient cash was allocated for period contracts. There was not enough cash to attend to other problems when they arose, like the floods. They took money from one bucket to put in another and, as a result, the period contractors were left out there in the lurch. Contractors were coming to us until yesterday and complaining about the lack of work, because there was not enough money to do the work that is required for road maintenance and repairs. We had to find money to allocate for period contracts for these people to start working.
As for the capital works programs, I am referring to page 65, 66 and 67 of the Budget Paper No 3. You can have a very close look at what we are actually doing.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016