HUAWEI — METRONET
429. Ms L. METTAM to the Minister for Transport:
I
refer to the ongoing delays and blowouts on the Metronet project. What is the
precise reason the $200 million Huawei Metronet radio replacement project was
abandoned; and, importantly, how much taxpayers' money was lost as a result?
Ms R.
SAFFIOTI replied:
Firstly, I do not accept the
premise of the member's question because we know that the member for
Vasse is not good with detail or telling the truth. Do members remember that
picture of the crowded train?
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER: Member for
Vasse! You have given it, now you have to take it.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI: Do members
remember that picture of the crowded train that she put out?
Several members interjected.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI: She was
saying, ''Look, everybody —
The SPEAKER: Minister, use
the member's name, please.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI: Sorry. The
member for Vasse was saying, ''Look, everybody. Look how crowded our
trains are! This is very, very bad.'' That is what she was telling
everybody, undermining public transport.
Several members interjected.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI: She said
that is what we were allowing. It was not happening. I mean, this was just her
crazy logic. I know opposition members went
to bat for the member for Vasse, and of course today we have the leadership
aspirants here, as outlined by The Sunday Times.
Point of Order
Mr I.C.
BLAYNEY: The minister's answer has absolutely no relevance
to the question.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER: Members! There
is a point of order.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI: Can I provide
some advice?
The SPEAKER: Can I rule on
it? Minister, you will get back to the point of the question, please.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Ms R. SAFFIOTI: The
question included a premise. If the member starts to put premises that are
completely false, then I will attack the premise of the question.
Mr D.C. Nalder interjected.
The SPEAKER: Member for
Bateman!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI: In relation
to the radio replacement program, as answered in the upper house, we are continuing
to negotiate that project in relation to one half of the consortium. We are
currently in negotiations, and once those negotiations finish, I will be able
to provide full details.