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WA premier wants grumpy voters to grow up and stop calling him Emperor WA premier wants grumpy voters to grow up and stop calling him Emperor
(about 1 month later)
The Western Australian premier, Colin Barnett, has characterised opposition to his recent decisions as voters being grumpy about “relatively insignificant” issues.The Western Australian premier, Colin Barnett, has characterised opposition to his recent decisions as voters being grumpy about “relatively insignificant” issues.
He also said it was time the state “grew up” and stopped calling him the Emperor.He also said it was time the state “grew up” and stopped calling him the Emperor.
According to the West Australian newspaper, Barnett admitted to exclusive business group the 500 Club on Tuesday, that Western Australians were not happy with his government over a number of issues.According to the West Australian newspaper, Barnett admitted to exclusive business group the 500 Club on Tuesday, that Western Australians were not happy with his government over a number of issues.
“I think it’s fair to say in the community there is a fair degree of grumpiness at the moment,” he said.“I think it’s fair to say in the community there is a fair degree of grumpiness at the moment,” he said.
"When you’re in a second term, issues that might seem to be relatively insignificant add up."When you’re in a second term, issues that might seem to be relatively insignificant add up.
“We’ve got grumpy pensioners over pension concessions and entitlements, a group of grumpy people over the price of housing or the cost of living. We’ve got grumpy people over sharks. We’ve got grumpy people over MP pay rises, even though they were broadly inflation, but that doesn’t seem to matter.”“We’ve got grumpy pensioners over pension concessions and entitlements, a group of grumpy people over the price of housing or the cost of living. We’ve got grumpy people over sharks. We’ve got grumpy people over MP pay rises, even though they were broadly inflation, but that doesn’t seem to matter.”
Among the “relatively insignificant” issues Barnett seemed to be referring to is his government’s recent slashing of the seniors’ cost of living rebate in half, which saw the single seniors’ payment reduced to $82 from $163 in the next financial year. Couples get $123 instead of $245. Among the “relatively insignificant” issues Barnett seemed to be referring to is his government’s recent slashing of the seniors’ cost of living rebate in half, which saw the single seniors’ payment reduced to $82 from $163 in the next financial year. Couples get $123 instead of $245.
According to a release by WA Labor in May, West Australians are paying more than $2,500 a year for bills since the Barnett government came to power in 2008. WA MPs received a 3.8% pay rise this month and there has been community backlash over the controversial shark cull.According to a release by WA Labor in May, West Australians are paying more than $2,500 a year for bills since the Barnett government came to power in 2008. WA MPs received a 3.8% pay rise this month and there has been community backlash over the controversial shark cull.
Barnett admitted the Liberal party was a “little diminished” from a few years ago.Barnett admitted the Liberal party was a “little diminished” from a few years ago.
He also took a swipe at critics who nicknamed him the Emperor. He got the name after the government spent $26m on his new parliament offices in late 2012.He also took a swipe at critics who nicknamed him the Emperor. He got the name after the government spent $26m on his new parliament offices in late 2012.
“They call me the Emperor,” he said. “I can laugh, too, at a joke and I’ve got a thick skin. But grow up, Western Australia.”“They call me the Emperor,” he said. “I can laugh, too, at a joke and I’ve got a thick skin. But grow up, Western Australia.”
Despite all this grumpiness, Barnett has vowed to lead the WA Liberals to the next election in 2016 and run for a third term as premier.Despite all this grumpiness, Barnett has vowed to lead the WA Liberals to the next election in 2016 and run for a third term as premier.