Does anyone support it?
The Australian turns up some interesting information about the Barnett canal. It’s not supported by business:
Chamber of Commerce and Industry executive director John Langoulant was scathing of Mr Barnett’s surprise commitment… “There’s very little evidence that the proposal has been properly evaluated, its impact on the state’s finances assessed or its financial viability determined,” said Dr Langoulant… “It’s clear this proposal continues the Coalition’s range of promises that appear to ignore the state’s capacity to fund them.”
Or water experts:
“I am particularly concerned when these massive 100-year public investments get caught up in a political campaign where they are promoted as almost glib one-liners with very little evidence that the political parties have done that detailed independent analysis,” Professor Cullen said.
And Tenix isn’t telling us the full story:
[Tenix] yesterday confirmed the $2billion construction price tag for the pipeline along the coast, but would not disclose the additional cost of delivering the water to Perth.
Additional, undisclosed costs? That doesn’t sound good.
Update: Add the right-wing Institute of Public Affairs to the list of nay-sayers:
… Langoulant and Institute of Public Affairs director Mike Nahan were sceptical that the cost to taxpayers could be contained to $2 billion and said it could not be predicted at this stage.
Uh oh.
And Barnett accepts the canal won’t flow for at least a decade. Remember his slogan — something about delays?
Oh Dear, This is becoming Colin’s “Medicare Gold”
I think he can kiss his electoral victory goodbye, and I can hear the knives being sharpened in Menzies House as we speak :-)
Criddle was embarrassing on Liam this morning. These guys are just making it up as they go along.
Yes, I listened to that interview several times today. Cheered me up no end.
And seeing those fools on Ch 7 saying they’d vote for Colin on the strength of his “visionary announcement” :-) Colin will be raising taxes MUCH higher than Gallop EVER did :-)
Paul Everingham is running a VERY good ALP Campaign :-) I’m sure Bill Johnson will reward him appropriately :-)
Even The West are against it :-)
But despite all the uncertainties over the canal’s cost, payment, route, environmental impact and the issue of native title, Mr Barnett committed himself to starting work on it in his first term if he wins the election on February 26.
“The knockers are there and I understand that,” he said. “There
will be thousands of knockers out there but for every person who knocks this there will be 100 who support it.”
The Man is a pathalogical fool
Well, with the CCI and IPA lined up against it…
The West is a “small government” rag.
Thanks for fixing the Link -)
But you’re right, methinks that the West “may” turn the corner and actually support Gallop, cos their Golden Boy has turned to dust and not even JWH can prop him up :-)
Or they could support Family First and go in via the Back door.
“And Barnett accepts the canal won’t flow for at least a decade. Remember his slogan — something about delays?”
Thats quite cheap Rob…
Can you analyse Gallop’s desalination plant plan? I havent got a clue about this environmental/energy stuff.
he he he.
You’re in big trouble when you’re a Liberal and you have the IPA against you.
Makes me smile.
And a not so co-operative Federal LIBERAL Treasurer as well :-)
I think Colin should start looking for a new job :-)
And will Julie Bishop be “conscripted” to stand in Cottesloe ?????
And will Paul Everingham lose his job as Liberal Party Director ????
All will be revealed on Feb 26th :-)
Canal vs Desalination
The issue that has dominated the WA election campagin is Colin Barnett’s canal plan… Here are all the posts pertaining to the debate, I will update this list as we go…
paul everingham is lieja