The Royal Commission provided Western Australia with a political watershed which allowed the Government and the community to look to the future with confidence, Premier Carmen Lawrence said today.
"Western Australia has just been through the most searching and extensive review imaginable - and we have been found wanting," Dr Lawrence said.
"My Government has been prepared to take the tough decisions to bring on the Royal Commission and see the process to its finality so that confidence can be restored and the State can move forward."
The Premier said she had no time for people who continually wanted to talk down Western Australia or its economy.
"Productive contributions to the economic debate have always been welcome, but I am not prepared to cop constant carping criticism which is both unproductive and inaccurate," Dr Lawrence said.
The Premier was speaking at the State Conference of the Institute of Municipal Managers at which she released an economic profile of Western Australia.
It confirmed that Western Australia had a sound, secure economic base from which to capitalise on new opportunities both at home and abroad.
"We will all share in these opportunities - business and industry, communities and families, and individual Western Australians," she said.
The Premier said the document 'Western Australia - Leading the Nation' examined the factors which put Western Australia at the forefront of economic growth in Australia - a position it was likely to hold well into the next century.
"Our economic growth has been supported and influenced by Government policies which have created a climate for investment, harmonious industrial relations, a highly competent workforce, an export orientation for industry and lower costs for business," she said.
"My Government is also forging a new partnership with local government so together we can build on the inherent strengths of the State's economy, the resilience and initiative of the community and on a belief that our purpose is to create a better future for succeeding generations."
