December 2017

WA to Join NDIS

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan have today announced a new agreement to bring Western Australia into the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The NDIS is one of the largest social policy reforms in Australia’s history. Today’s agreement replaces the agreement signed in late January 2017 by the previous Western Australian Government for a Western Australian administered NDIS.

From July 1, 2018, the National Disability Insurance Agency will assume responsibility for the delivery of the NDIS in WA.

The NDIS will continue to roll out on a geographic basis and will be fully rolled out across Western Australia by 2020.

People already taking part in the WA NDIS will transfer to the nationally delivered Scheme in a phased approach from April 2018 and conclude by December 2018.

Jobs Bill Passes Parliament

The McGowan Labor Government’s Jobs Bill passed through the Legislative Council this week, ensuring Western Australians will get a bigger share of work on good and services provided by the State Government.

The Jobs Bill was a key election commitment designed to support local businesses to tender for government contracts, creating more jobs for local workers.

Under the new laws, local businesses will be given more opportunities to compete for government contracts, particularly in the area of infrastructure.

Prospective suppliers of government contracts will now be required to submit local participation plans as part of their tender. These plans will then be incorporated into the contracts of successful suppliers to ensure the promised local jobs are delivered.

The Bill includes a requirement for a Western Australian Industry Participation Strategy to guide the implementation of the new laws.  As part of the development of the strategy, WA’s local content policies and guidelines are being reviewed.

The new laws also allow the government to declare a major project a ‘project of strategic significance for the WA economy’ to create more opportunities for local content.

MP Pay Freeze Passes Legislative Council

New laws to freeze the pay of Members of Parliament and the State’s senior public servants are one step closer, following their passage through the Legislative Council.

The pay freeze will remain in effect for the next four years, assisting with the important task of repairing the State’s finances. Premier Mark McGowan said, “The pay freeze on Members of Parliament and senior public servants is necessary to help repair the budget mess left behind by the previous government… We have been forced to asked nurses, teachers, police officers and other public sector workers to help fix the mess left behind by the Liberals and Nationals.  It is only fair that Members of Parliament and senior public servants do their bit as well.”

The Premier announced the pay freeze in May, as part of the McGowan Labor Government’s new wages policy for the public sector. The wages policy provides an increase of $1,000 per year for all other public sector workers, including police, nurses and teachers.

Once passed, the pay freeze is expected to save taxpayers $16 million.

The Bill also makes clear that once the pay freeze expires in 2021, the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal will not be able to compensate MPs for the pay increases they may have received if it were not for this legislation.

Nor will it be able to take into account the changes in the CPI.

“The passage of the Bill through the Legislative Council means the pay freeze is one step closer to coming into effect.  We expect the amendments to pass swiftly when Parliament resumes next year.” It will return to the Legislative Assembly in order to pass a final amendment when State Parliament resumes in February.

“It’s disappointing that senior Liberals voted against the pay freeze.  As part of the government that ruined the State’s finances, they should not be standing in the way of a sensible policy to help get the State back on track,” McGowan added.

Public Libraries to be Modernised

Western Australia’s public library system will be modernised to better meet the diverse and evolving needs of the community, as part of a State Government overhaul announced today.

The WA Public Library Strategy outlines five priority actions over the next four years, including:

  • A single access card and management system that would allow users to borrow an item at any public library in WA;
  • New model to support public library service delivery in WA;
  • A new model to support regional and remote library services to ensure equal access to library services across the State;
  • Improved governance systems, including the development of new legislation to guide public library services; and
  • A system to measure and assess the impact and value of public library services on individuals and communities.

The strategy was developed following extensive research and consultation with key partners including the State Library of WA, Public Libraries Western Australia, Western Australian Local Government Association and local government authorities.

It supports recommendations of the State Government’s Service Priority Review, which are aimed at reforming the way services are delivered to the Western Australian community. This approach recognises the importance and value of working collaboratively to achieve better outcomes for communities.

Electronic copies of the background paper and strategy, together with a survey to collect feedback, are available at https://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/about-us/corporate/public-libraries-partnership

Legislative Fracking Ban in South-West, Peel & Perth

The McGowan Government today gazetted regulations confirming its earlier administrative ban on hydraulic fracture stimulation (fracking) in the South-West, Peel and Perth regions. This delegated legislation also supports the State-wide fracking moratorium, that has already been implemented, while the scientific inquiry is underway.

The inquiry, expected to be completed within 12 months, will address community concerns around fracking. Bill Johnston, Minister for Mines and Petroleum said, “The McGowan Government recognises the need to protect the State’s environment from risks associated with fracking… While the fracking ban in the South-West, Peel and Perth regions has already been achieved, the regulations provide a permanent ban in these areas.

Led by the Environmental Protection Authority chairman, Dr Tom Hatton, the inquiry will hold public meetings in Perth and the Mid-West and Kimberley regions, and provide opportunities for public submissions, will Johnston stating, “”We will consider the community’s views and the outcome of the inquiry in forming our decision on the future of fracking in Western Australia.””

Community members can express their views to the inquiry online, submissions are open until March 19, 2018.  For more information, visit http://www.frackinginquiry.wa.gov.au