Flood levy vote was in best interests of all, not some, Crook

Author: Tony Crook
Published on: 25-February-2011

Federal Member for O’Connor Tony Crook MP has refuted accusations that his vote in favour of the flood levy is a vote to “slug Western Australians”.

Mr Crook was responding to claims by Liberal Senator Dr Chris Back that the vote was “improvident” and that he had shown his “true colours” by siding with the Labor government.

In voting in favour of the levy in the House of Representatives yesterday, Mr Crook maintained he had negotiated a good outcome for Western Australians.

 “This includes exemption for disaster-affected residents from fire, flood and storm from paying the levy; providing Disaster Relief Payments for residents of the Gascoyne, even though this is not part of my electorate; and receiving guarantees that there are no plans for WA infrastructure funding to be cut or deferred,” he said.

 “It should be noted that due to the income thresholds, sixty percent of the O’Connor electorate will not be required to make any contribution.

 “Would Senator Back prefer me to not have supported the levy and then sit back and watch as cuts to infrastructure took place? That could have affected improved access to the Esperance port, the WA grain rail network, Oakajee Port and the Northbridge Rail Link, just to  name a few.”

 “There is a $3.6 billion investment from the Commonwealth over the next six years for Western Australia’s roads, rail and ports. Surely Senator Back should realise that the decision I have made will ensure that this much needed funding is protected?”

 Mr Crook said these positive outcomes for regional WA were in stark contrast to those of the Liberal party, which had delivered nothing during the debate.

 “We need to remember that this is Australia’s largest natural disaster in economic terms and it is beholden upon us to ensure we act swiftly,” he said.

 “I’d certainly like to think that if a natural disaster happened to a regional centre in WA, or to Perth, that the rest of Australia would come to our aid.

 “What is also quite astounding about Senator Back’s comments is that the flood levy has the support of the West Australian Premier, Colin Barnett, so I am a little confused by the Liberal party position.”

 “I appreciate that Mr Barnett didn’t have a vote in this debate but he clearly is in favour and so I thank him for his moral support.

 “I wonder if Senator Back is going to berate Colin Barnett as he has me.”

See this article on the member's website