| |
WA Nationals leader Brendon Grylls has accused the State Government of a lack of forward-looking vision in relation to Ord Stage II.
In a speech in the Upper House, in response to the State Budget, Mr Grylls said:
"Where is the statesmanship?
"Where is the forward-looking vision for WA?
"How did a $21,000 million infrastructure program leave out the development of Ord Stage II?
"Surely in a $21 billion capital works program, when we have national recognition of the challenges with the Murray-Darling system and the huge opportunities in the Kimberley to develop Ord Stage II, we could have had more than the token gesture of a couple of million dollars that might go towards a few more studies.
"However, Ord Stage II has reached the point at which proponents are talking about the project that they can put in place to bring that online.
"I am amazed that Ord Stage II did not receive a serious infrastructure grant in the government's $21,000 million capital works program."
Mr Grylls went on to criticise the lack of infrastructure spending on underground power to help 'cyclone-proof' the north west.
Towards the end of his speech he returned to the subject of Ord Stage II
"There are simply not enough country members to persuade cabinet to get projects like this across the line.
"We must get Ord Stage II across the line.
"The government could have done that this year with $100 million.
"I am sick to death of hearing in this parliament how the Federal Government should have done this or that.
"The government can put the pressure on the Federal Government by putting up half the money.
"Imagine if the Treasurer had said last week that the government has allocated $100 million to Ord Stage II and it wants the Federal Government to match it.
"I could not argue with that.
"I would criticise the Federal Government if it did not match it.
"The $200 million - half from us and half from the Federal Government - could put in the road and power infrastructure, and that would see proponents developing new agricultural businesses in the Ord.
"If we really want the Kimberley to be the next food bowl of Australia and if we really want to see indigenous employment opportunities for the many unemployed indigenous people in the Kimberley, Ord Stage II is critical.
"GM cotton is critical to Ord Stage II."
Mr Grylls continued on at length to encourage the State Government to look at major infrastructure projects in the bush.
|
|