Premier in Print

Tuesday, 25 January, 2000 - 21:00
IT WAS no surprise to read in January that an international survey has rated Perth’s quality of living among the highest in the world.

The finding was made by one of the world’s biggest human resource consultancies, William M Mercer, which considered 218 cities.

Perth was rated 18th – ahead of cities including London, Tokyo and New York.

They based their results on thirty-nine criteria including the natural environment, economy, personal safety, health, education, housing, transport and culture.

An important feature of the results is that they are used by governments and major companies around the world to determine appropriate allowances that reflect differences in the quality of living for personnel transferred abroad.

The survey is another independent validation of the benefits of basing businesses in Western Australia.



A MAJOR milestone was reached at the end of last year when our State Parliament passed the Native Title (State Provisions) Bill.

This is a big step forward in the Coalition Government’s bid to ensure our State has a fair and workable native title system – but the fate of key elements of the Bill now rests with the Federal Parliament.

Parts of the legislation have to be approved by the Commonwealth Attorney-General who has to determine that they comply with the spirit of the Federal legislation.

I am confident this will occur but I’m less comfortable with the knowledge that both Houses of the Commonwealth Parliament have to agree with his determination.

Quite simply, I am concerned the Labor Party will continue to try to stop us achieving a workable native title system in Western Australia.

Our State Parliament has passed the Bill and in the interests of this State the Labor Party should support this legislation.



THE Western Australian Govern-ment’s latest major website development is now up and running.

Called Big.WA, it carries an amazing array of information for anyone wanting to know more about business and investment in our State.

The development of this site as a business and investment gateway has involved extensive work across a diverse range of government agencies.

The result is a one-stop shop that means prospective business partners or investors won’t have to worry about which government agency does what.

Anyone, anywhere in the world, with access to the Internet will be able to call up information ranging from helping them start up or expand a business here to analysis of this State’s economic performance.

The gateway’s address is www.big.wa.gov.au or www.business.wa.gov.au.