CYCLONE SEROJA —
TEMPORARY HOUSING — CARAVANS
369. Mr R.S. LOVE to the Minister for Emergency Services:
I have a supplementary question. I am
staggered by that response. Where in the minister's press release does
it outline that these caravans would not be fit for use when they were taken to
the people in the Shire of Northampton, Shire of Chapman Valley and City of
Greater Geraldton? That is staggering! You sent up caravans that are not fit
for purpose.
Point of Order
Mr D.A.
TEMPLEMAN: This is an opportunity for a supplementary question, not
a dialogue from the member.
The SPEAKER: That is right; it is not an opportunity for
further arguments. You have asked your question. I would ask the
minister to respond.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Mr R.R.
WHITBY replied:
Member, they are adequate caravans
to be provided to people.
Mr R.S. Love interjected.
The SPEAKER: Sorry. We are to
just hear from the minister, thanks.
Mr
R.R. WHITBY: Quite frankly, the
response of the Nationals WA to an issue that has impacted its own constituents
has been woeful. I have been in the
community in the midwest many times and have not seen the member there once.
Several members interjected.
Mr
R.R. WHITBY: It is very easy to
criticise from the cheap seats, but this is a huge disaster that has impacted
many areas of our state—across 16 local government regions. We
provided a massive response for the clean-up and in terms of ongoing support and emergency accommodation. We went to the community.
We went to local governments. We
asked, ''What is it you need?'' A range of requests came back. In
terms of caravans, it was 11—that was from all the shire
presidents and CEOs contacted. They said they wanted 11 caravans. Guess what
they got, member? They got 11 caravans.
Mr R.S. Love interjected.
Mr R.R. WHITBY: If more
caravans are needed, they will get them.
Mr R.S. Love interjected.
The SPEAKER: Order, please!
Mr
R.R. WHITBY: It is not easy in
the current market to walk into a shop and get a brand new caravan. The
caravans are fit for purpose. They are late models. They are being
provided and are being accepted gratefully by the people who need them. Instead
of sitting there criticising and carping, I would rather the member got behind
the effort that is being launched to support his own constituents.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER: That concludes
that question.