Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
In your state of the state speech last week, you announced your plan to sell off our GBEs. The only non-GBE you flagged was the Land Titles Office. This is oddly specific. Has anyone approached you or your government to discuss acquiring the Land Titles Office which sits within the Department of Natural Resources and Environment? Further, have you or your government been taking unsolicited bids for other parts of the State Service or statutory offices?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the member for the question. There are examples around other states of Australia of the equivalent land titles office having been offloaded
Dr Woodruff – That has been a disaster for people.
Mr ROCKLIFF – That is your interpretation. As to your question about unsolicited bids, I am not aware of any. However, why wouldn’t we look at all opportunities when it comes to sales, better service delivery and investing proceeds into a future fund?
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Dr WOODRUFF – A supplementary question, Speaker.
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary question.
Dr WOODRUFF – There were two parts of my question. The first part was very specific in relation to the Land Titles Office. Has anyone approached the Premier or his government to discuss acquiring the Land Titles Office? The second part related to any other parts of the State Service or statutory offices. Could the Premier please get some advice and come back to provide that to us today?
The SPEAKER – Your question was specifically about unsolicited bids.
Dr WOODRUFF – No, it was about acquiring the Land Titles Office. Yes, approached, that is right. Unsolicited, correct.
The SPEAKER – The Premier referred to examples in other states, but could the Premier address whether he has had direct requests?
Mr ROCKLIFF – Again, I will have to point to other states where more recently land titles operations have been privatised. My advice is that we have seen New South Wales and Victoria privatise their land titles and registry offices, for $2.6 billion in the case of New South Wales in 2017 and $2.86 billion in 2018 in Victoria.
Dr WOODRUFF – Honourable Speaker, point of order, Standing Order 45, relevance. I understand the purpose of supplementary questions is to get a simple answer to a question. That is not going anywhere near the question, talking about what is happening in other states.
The SPEAKER – Your point of order is relevance, thank you. You do not need to make the argument. Premier, I draw you to the question.
Mr ROCKLIFF – South Australia did the same in 2017, netting $1.6 billion. I am not aware of any unsolicited bids but we are looking at every opportunity for privatisation.
Dr Woodruff – Will you take advice on whether that has happened, Premier, and bring it –
The SPEAKER – The member has asked her question. She cannot continue to ask questions through interjection. Premier, I draw you –
Mr ROCKLIFF – I can seek some advice.
The SPEAKER – Actually, I ask you to resume your seat. The Premier’s time for answering the question has expired.
Dr Woodruff – Honourable Speaker, for clarification, the Premier will seek advice. Will he provide that to the House today?
The SPEAKER – There is no such thing as a point of clarification. The Premier said he will seek advice, and I confirm that is on notice.
