Basil Zempilas: Rio Tinto sexism report card shows just how hard change is

1. Why has the State Government so badly underperformed in housing delivery? It’s COVID of course, just ask them. “We know in a post-pandemic period that our housing industry has been challenged right across the board” Premier Roger Cook said this week. Oh, that’s interesting, the reason you can’t find, afford or build a home is COVID. But by some miracle of the flu-like-symptom gods, none of the material shortages or construction worker issues which have plagued housing have troubled the $13 billion Metronet build and other government infrastructure projects screaming towards their pre-election completions. Funny that. When Libby Mettam says WA Labor has got its priorities wrong, this is what she’s talking about. 2. Every available worker being swallowed up by Metronet doesn’t just impact the aspirational Jones’s moving from Baldivis to Bibra Lake, it hits our most vulnerable hardest. In the words of Kath Snell from Shelter WA: “in recent years housing and homelessness is the worst that we’ve seen.” That’s a record this State Government has to own. 3. For the second time this year, Floreat families are quietly saying to themselves “I can’t believe that happened here”. How could any parents, anywhere, starve their teenage daughter, and inflict social, emotional and functional neglect? It’s shocking. 4. I’m not sure Chris Ellison could have owned his MinRes failings any more. “I can’t express how much I hate what I have done” is about as strong a statement of personal regret as someone can make. 5. Rio Tinto’s progress report into its “Everyday Respect” agenda shows just how difficult change can be. It’s a reminder too that overcorrections can be dangerous. It’s a tricky world in 2024; what to think, how to act, where to fit, which is why now more than ever, common sense should be our guiding light. 6. In a different light, the award winning Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail turns on tonight in the City of Perth. Named the best community event nationally at the recent Australian Event Awards, this year’s trail features 20 spectacular instillations over 41 nights between Yagan Square and Elizabeth Quay. It’s our best yet. 7. If Australia’s Future Fund is independently managed and supposed to maximise returns, why is Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers telling the board what to invest in? Surely if housing, renewable energy and infrastructure (Chalmers’ priorities) offered the best returns, the fund would already be investing in them. 8. You know you’re getting older when you’re old enough to remember when Perth used to host the first cricket test of the summer. How good that we are once again — and Australia v India no less. Let’s hope the Aussies make it five from five at Optus Stadium. 9. And how good for the Member for Cockburn. Off the back of the cricket, he gets to enjoy one of those drone shows he’s so fond of, as part of the rescheduled WA Day celebrations at Burswood Park on Sunday night. 10. Is Coke Zero bad for you? Asking for a friend. Basil Zempilas is Lord Mayor of the City of Perth and the Liberal candidate for Churchlands