OAKAJEE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE — 2021–22 STATE
BUDGET
517. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Minister for State Development,
Jobs and Trade:
I have a supplementary question. All
the major players are saying that they need major infrastructure before they
will build. When will the minister stop paying lip-service to the people of
Geraldton and the greater midwest and make the major required investments in
enabling infrastructure to allow industry to develop at the Oakajee estate?
Mr R.H.
COOK replied:
Perhaps the member for Cottesloe can
explain why nothing happened at Oakajee for the eight and a half years that the
Liberal Party and Nationals WA were in government. Perhaps the member for
Cottesloe can explain why there was no
capital to invest in strategic industry incentives because the former government
was too busy destroying the state's finances. This state went
backwards under the Liberals and the Nationals. We now see a Minister for
Energy embracing the future opportunities associated with the energy market.
The Minister for Environment is creating a climate action fund that is all
about making sure that we can continue to drive down the impact of climate
change on our environment. The Minister for Hydrogen Industry is managing a $40
million fund to stimulate the hydrogen industry in Western Australia. The
Minister for Innovation and ICT and I, as the Minister for State Development,
Jobs and Trade, have established a $100 million fund that is all about
continuing to work with industry to create the jobs of the future, diversify
our economy and take Western Australia forward.