Join Kara Vickery as she catches up with Premier Colin Barnett for the third instalment of Coffee with Colin.
PREMIER Colin Barnett has called on the building industry to become more "innovative" to better meet the needs of WA's young people.
During PerthNow's third Coffee with Colin today, Mr Barnett said alternative designs would help young people break into the housing market.
"For young people, maybe couples before they have children or even with young children, if they wish to live close to the city, say within even 15km or so, there is limited choice now available and the prices obviously are high," he said.
"And not everyone wants to live in the traditional Australian block of land in the outer suburbs.
"I would like to see the building industry be more innovative.
"I happen to personally think terrace type developments are very attractive, where you have got perhaps a two-storey terrace with a small backyard.
Coffee with Colin: Premier Colin Barnett at the Midland Railway Workshops this morning with PerthNow reporter Kara Vickery. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper
"We need more housing designs that will allow people to be able to live closer to the city if that's their desire. And I think more and more people are wanting to do that."
Mr Barnett met PerthNow at the Midland Railway Workshops this morning to answer a series of questions chosen by readers.
Responding to questions about disgraced former Treasurer Troy Buswell — the most popular questions among readers — Mr Barnett said it was up to Mr Buswell to decide if he continues on as the Member for Vasse.
"I think that's something Troy will decide," he said.
"Sometimes people think the Premier is the boss of Members of Parliament. It doesn't work that way.
Premier Colin Barnett at the Midland Railway Workshops this morning with PerthNow reporter Kara Vickery. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper
"Troy is the member for Vasse. He was elected. He'll have to make a decision as to whether he continues on in that role."
But Mr Barnett said he did not think Mr Buswell was "well enough" to return to Cabinet.
Mr Barnett also answered questions about the proposed Roe 8 Highway extension, saying he wasn't yet sure where the State Government's portion of funding for the road would come from.
"I don't know if it will be in the next State Budget," he said.
"We are now going to have to see how we can fund our share of that project. We're certainly keen to do so. State finances are tight but I'm sure we will find a way."
Premier Colin Barnett at the old Midland Railway Workshops. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited
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PERTHNOW: Good morning Premier and thank you very much for once again joining Perthnow for our Coffee with Colin segment.
PREMIER: This is our third of these and I hope they continue and I hope people find them interesting.
PERTHNOW: Tell us about this particular location where we are today.
PREMIER: This is the old Midland Railway Workshops. They were designed and built in the early 1900s. There are about 10 buildings here, these vast warehouses of machinery from the era. They closed in the 1990s and they are pretty much as they have always been. The Midland development authority is gradually refurbishing them and finding modern uses for them and the building we are in right now is earmarked as part of a future university campus in Midland.
PERTHNOW: We'll jump right into the questions chosen by our PerthNow readers if that's alright.
PREMIER: Sure
PERTHNOW: I understand this is a bit of an issue that you're probably tired of talking about so I apologise, but it was overwhelmingly the most popular (question) voted on. It's to do with former Treasurer Troy Buswell. It says: Why do you continue to support disgraced former treasurer Troy Buswell despite public opinion and backlash against his exploits?
PREMIER: I don't know what is meant by the term support. I am certainly doing all I can to help Troy make a full health recovery. He had a very serious breakdown in February and I guess like anyone else, like a colleague or friend, I am trying to help him. I think one of the backgrounds to that question is there seems to be an assumption that I've indicated Troy is going to return to Cabinet. Well, I don't rule anything out in the long term but Troy won't be returning to Cabinet anytime soon. He's simply not well enough to do so.
PERTHNOW: Do you think it's possible to support him in his mental illness but also in his parliamentary career separately? To me possibly the question is speaking to supporting him to continue in Government at all.
PREMIER: I think that's something Troy will decide. Sometimes people think the Premier is the boss of Members of Parliament. It doesn't work that way. Troy is the member for Vasse. He was elected. He'll have to make a decision as to whether he continues on in that role. At the moment I think the best thing for his is to concentrate on getting his health back; he gets a lot of support in that. In terms of what happened, the traffic accident and the damage to the Government vehicle and other vehicles I don't excuse that or condone that in any way whatsoever. And if you look at it, Troy had lost his job as a Cabinet Minister, he pleaded guilty to traffic offences. He's lost his licence for 12 months. He has been treated as any other citizen would in a traffic incident and for me that's been dealt with. Now I just hope he makes a full recovery.
PERTHNOW: Moving on to the next question. This one is about Mr Buswell's European trip. PerthNow reported that the 20-page report, some of it was plagiarised, a few weeks ago. Are you likely to pursue any guidelines that change the way people prepare these reports?
PREMIER: I am changing the guidelines to the extent that any Member of Parliament, and especially Ministers, but any Member of Parliament who travels overseas will be required to provide a written report to Parliament. Now, the use of the terms plagiarism, these are not academic reports, they're not reports that go beyond saying what happened. I think when people take for example descriptions in this case of light rail systems from company information, it's probably a good idea to put it in italics or make it clear it's quoted from reports, but these can simply be verbal reports to Parliament but the important thing is I think the public has a right to know where people have gone, what they've done and what they got out of the trip. Those standards will be tightened.
PERTHNOW: Obviously though it's quite a lot of money and if people are being seen to cut and paste things, maybe they should put more effort into the report?
PREMIER: Maybe, but some reports have been very scant and in fact if you read through Troy's report, while he perhaps didn't acknowledge where some parts come from, other information, it is quite a detailed report. And look we can't be too small minded here. Western Australia is very isolated. We're very internationally focused and it's important that Ministers and Members of Parliament do get to know different parts of the world. In this case it was looking at the technology of rail, so Europe is relevant as is China, but we need to have members of Parliament who have an awareness of China, Japan, Indonesia, other countries, that is absolutely fundamental to the development of this state.
PERTHNOW: The third most popular question I believe was about the budget. It says: the Federal Government two weeks ago announced $80 billion worth of cuts to health and education over the next 10 years. How do you plan to mitigate the impact of these cuts?
PREMIER: I think again there's no reason for panic. Funding for education and health, particularly education is in place until 2017 so these changes are after 2017. At the recent Council of Australian Governments meeting about three weeks ago Tony Abbott made it very clear to myself and other Premiers that there were going to be changes. He also talked about the balance being that the Commonwealth may take over increased funding in some other areas. That's yet to be determined but I imagine it will be over the next 12 months. I'm not the sort of person who panics or rushes off to emergency meetings that really don't achieve much. These issues will be sorted out between the Commonwealth and the states and I don't think anyone is lessening their commitment to education or health. One other point, and this is true according to our Constitution, the running of schools and the running of public hospitals is a responsibility of the state. That has always been the case.
PERTHNOW: So all this talk of changing the GST, do you think that's a bit premature?
PREMIER: No. I've been talking about that for five years as Premier and that's the biggest issue. The one issue that really matters to Western Australia is to get a fair share of the GST and that would solve all of our problems including the credit rating issue.
PERTHNOW: You recently admitted that housing affordability — particularly cheap housing options for young West Australians — was a significant issue. What is the answer?
PREMIER: For young people, maybe couples before they have children or even with young children, if they wish to live close to the city, say within even 15km or so, there is limited choice now available and the prices obviously are high. And not everyone wants to live in the traditional Australian block of land in the outer suburbs. I would like to see the building industry be more innovative. I happen to personally think terrace type developments are very attractive, where you have got perhaps a two-storey terrace with a small backyard. We need more housing designs that will allow people to be able to live closer to the city if that's their desire. And I think more and more people are wanting to do that.
PERTHNOW: The next question is about the Roe Highway extension. That's been given the go ahead by the Federal Government. Are you able to explain why this plan is necessary?
PREMIER: It's going right back to the initial planning of Perth, the Stephenson plan in the 1950s, and we are fortunate, the road system and the development of Perth has been well planned unlike many cities around the world. Part of that was the extension of the Roe Highway and Roe 8 is the next stage of that. I think it's important. What it will do is take increasing numbers of heavy trucks off suburban roads and put them on a dedicated freight link. I think that's good for the movement of goods and services but in particularly for separating traffic. I think it's a good project. It's very expensive. The Commonwealth has indicated they're prepared to fund roughly two thirds of it, the state would fund the other third. There are issues about the Beeliar Wetlands, there is an environmental issue. I just urge people to think about that a little bit. It's certainly possible to build a road going over the wetlands. Currently the road goes through the wetlands and while there would certainly be disturbance during construction, at the end of the day the wetland will be preserved and probably even enhanced because there will be less direct interference with people or vehicles.
PERTHNOW: The Federal Government earmarked funding in this budget for the extension, yet I understand there was no similar funding in the State Budget. Why is that?
PREMIER: Well the State Government, the Liberal-National Government, has always supported Roe 8 for good reasons; good long-term transport planning. We always required support from the Federal Government to undertake the project. We didn't anticipate that was likely to come in the near future so we were surprised and pleasantly surprised that the Federal Budget has picked this project up. It's been on the planning books for years, Roe 8. It is nothing new.
PERTHNOW: Is it likely then that the funding, the State Government portion, will be in our next State Budget?
PREMIER: I don't know if it will be in the next State Budget. We are now going to have to see how we can fund our share of that project. We're certainly keen to do so. State finances are tight but I'm sure we will find a way.
PERTHNOW: We will go to our wildcard question. This comes from one of our PerthNow readers directly. Do you think the Mandurah rail line will ever go all the way to Bunbury?
PREMIER: Yes I do. But I think that's still a long way off. I'd say at least 10-15 years away. I've had a view that Bunbury needs to be developed as a second capital. One of the problems with Western Australia is that we really only have one large city, that being Perth. Bunbury is growing, but really should be more significant. As part of that the State Government is intending to locate the Department of Parks and Wildlife in Bunbury, so to move a government department progressively into Bunbury. As the town grows I think you will see the extension of that rail line but it's still some way away.
PERTHNOW: How far away are we from getting (the Department of) Parks and Wildlife in Bunbury?
PREMIER: Well it will be a progressive transfer. We are currently selecting the site and I think there will probably be some announcements about that in the next couple of months.
PERTHNOW: This was another popular one (with readers). Do you think 70 is a fair retirement age?
PREMIER: I'm in my early 60s, I'm not ready to retire. Look I think it is, and the 70 is planned to come into effect in 2035 so it's still some time in the future. There is no doubt people are living longer, they are in better health, but I think there are some subtleties here that need to be looked at. I think when people traditionally retired at 65 yes, they could probably go on a bit longer but we need to have some options because I think people as they get into their mid-60s may wish to continue to work but maybe don't want to work five days a week and I think if there are options to maybe drop back part time maybe two or three days a week, to also drop down in responsibility. The example I think of is maybe a principal of a school that wants to continue to work but maybe doesn't want to be in charge of all the staffing and financial issues, may actually want to go back into the classroom or help mentor younger newer teachers. And I think if we can help build in that flexibility were you can continue to work but you don't have to stay at the top, you can drop down to a lower level of responsibility, maybe less hours or less days in the week, part of that will be how superannuation and tax is treated, and if those issues are worked out I think it's a good thing. I know people who have held very senior positions and got to their mid-60s and had nothing to do. I think it's a waste of talent. I think also the other fact is where people have jobs that are physical, for example working at Western Power climbing ladders, you've also got to think about the safety element. In principal I think going to 70 is fine, but let's make sure we get that flexibility because it won't work for everyone and certainly people with physically hard work they probably shouldn't continue on unless there's something else they can be found to do. Or maybe they can just do lighter duties. I don't want to see promotional opportunities for younger people blocked by an older generation of people in senior positions, so if we can do that I think it's a good idea. I can think of an example of someone I know well who was a very senior executive in the mining industry, he retired and I don't know if he is still doing it but for several years he pumped petrol at a local service station and loved it; just loved talking to people all day and he was a very senior businessperson in Perth. He just did that because he enjoyed it; he enjoyed being out and about and said that was great. Kept working, something to do, didn't need the stress of a high powered job.
PERTHNOW: So can we expect you to do something similar when you do eventually retire?
PREMIER: Yes, I'm just going to become a simple farmer.
PERTHNOW: Where do you stand on the Abbott Government's decision to introduce a $7 fee to visits GPs?
PREMIER: I believe there is in some cases over use of GP services and a price figure, and it's a fairly low one, will give a signal and hopefully make sure that people don't unnecessarily go to the doctor. My concern is people on low incomes and particularly elderly people and pensioners. And while that charge is limited to 10 visits a year, so it's basically going to be $60 at a maximum, I think there will be some issues. For the State Government our concern is if people have to pay something, even though that may only be $7, to go to the GP they may elect as an alternative to go to emergency departments in hospitals. That would create congestion and it would be high cost to the public health system.
The Premier, all smiles after the interview wrapped up. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited
PERTHNOW: The (Federal) Government have said they will give the states the option of also imposing the fees on emergency departments. Is that something you'd ever consider?
PREMIER: I think we'd have to look at it. I think we'd see what happens. If we see suddenly a large shift of people going to emergency departments instead of their GP we would probably have to look at that. But the public hospitals are state-owned and run so the decision will be made by the State Government.
PERTHNOW: I think (Health Minister) Dr Hames said he would be quite reluctant to put the fees onto ED's.
PREMIER: Yes, and I agree with him. I don't think we will see a big shift but that's just something we have got to monitor and see what happens. But some minimum level of charging, I don't think is such a bad thing because we do get some over usage of services and over servicing.
PERTHNOW: Who is the next leader of the Liberal Party after Colin Barnett?
PREMIER: Colin Barnett, if I have a say in it, is not going anywhere soon. I think it's not up to me to suggest who might be the next leader. The leader of the Liberal Party is selected by a secret ballot of Members of Parliament and at some stage that will occur. If I look around the party and if I look around the Cabinet room there are a lot of very talented and young people. And one thing I have been very conscious of since I became Premier is encouraging the next generation of political leaders, to give them opportunities and to promote them. So I have got absolutely no concerns, I don't know who will get there, but there will be a competitive process and there will be some good choices available. I'm not going to nominate names but I think if you look through the Cabinet you will see some very talented people probably in that age group of late-40s, early-50s. We've got some 30-year-olds in Cabinet too so there is a big future there.
PERTHNOW: You've said I think, you were quoted in the Press last week, saying there is a good chance you will contend the next election. Would you still do that if you thought you would be in Opposition?
PREMIER: I've always said I would make a decision a year out from the next election. We're only one year into a four-year term so in a couple of years' time I will need to think about it. And look I will be guided by what my colleagues want. If they want me to continue I will listen to them, if they think it's time to move on, I'll also listen to them. But for the moment I think I've got the best job in the world. I'm enjoying it probably more than I've ever enjoyed it. I think this is an incredibly exciting decade for Western Australia and as long as people want me to continue to do the job I will do it.
PERTHNOW: Well Premier, thank you very much for joining us this morning.
PREMIER: Thank you for coming out to Midland. This is an area of the state that has probably been forgotten for a long time and now we are seeing a lot of new development. The hospital project is about 60 per cent built and a fabulous new hospital. We are seeing new residential developments and I think we're very close to reaching agreements with the Federal Government and Curtin University on a university campus to be built in Midland, which is very important because I think if you look at where our universities are it is more difficult for people in the eastern suburbs to access tertiary education. If we can get a campus out here that opportunity will be available and I think it will be great for the area.
PERTHNOW: Because that was dependent on the Federal Government approving the medical school, wasn't it?
PREMIER: That's right.
PERTHNOW: So we're close to that?
PREMIER: We are getting close
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