opinion
Basil Zempilas 10 things: Will Roger Cook come clean on what a Perth-based NRL team is going to cost?
- “We have a mandate.” If I heard it once, I heard it 20 times from Government MPs and their ancillaries in the first week of Parliament. Yes, the Cook Labor Government has a mandate to govern — but that mandate is for responsible, fair, accountable government. What they don’t have a mandate for is to be reckless, wasteful and to operate without transparency. Keep that in mind as you read the next few points.
- Is there any chance whatsoever Premier Roger Cook will come clean on what a Perth-based NRL team is going to cost? How many tens of millions of taxpayer dollars are being offered to the NRL through the back door? If Roger is so convinced of the demand for his pet project, he should just get on with it. But Premier, no sneaky stuff here, we have to know the deal stacks up and how much it’s going to cost.
- We already know what Rita’s racetrack is going to cost. $220 million on a project no one in the community wants or has been consulted on, and there’s no business case for. But even though some of the prep work has already begun, judging by the group of angry residents assembled at Burswood Park on Wednesday, the Government shouldn’t be waving the chequered flag just yet.
- The Cook Government promised GPS tracking for high-risk family violence offenders — but in regional WA they’ve left police without the resources to enforce it. Why should women in the regions not have the same protection as women living in the city?
- Part of the excitement for first-time members of Parliament is getting to work in the electorate office. Even in this electronic age, there’s still no substitute for face-to-face and the ability for someone to walk in off the street or ring and make an appointment to meet with their local member. So Churchlands residents, we’re open for business and welcome your call on 9383 7120.
- This week much of the contact has been about the Hertha Wetlands in nearby Innaloo. In yet another example of this State Government not listening and showing contempt for community, the trucks rolled in and the clearing started without any genuine engagement with the locals.
- Things I won’t be doing this Easter long weekend: going to the pub, playing golf, taking the boat to Rotto (in large part due to not having one).
- Things I will do this Easter long weekend: attend Good Friday and Saturday midnight mass at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Northbridge, eat chocolate Easter eggs crushed up and sprinkled on ice cream, watch a good sports documentary.
- Which one, I hear you ask? Netflix’s Court of Dreams, which tells the story of the men’s basketball at the Paris Olympics comes highly recommended.
- However you are celebrating this Easter, savour your family time, stay safe and enjoy the hot cross buns!
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