❓ A parliamentary question regarding the appointment of Dr. Jim Limerick to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), focusing on potential conflicts of interest related to Roe 8 Highway, the Helena Aurora mine, and BHP Billiton Iron Ore Projects. The Minister's response outlines the appointment process and conflict management protocols.
AnsweredQoN 4865Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the recent announcement that Dr Jim Limerick has been stood aside from the Environmental Protection Authority's consideration of Roe 8 Highway and the Helena Aurora mine, and ask: (a) when was Dr Limerick appointed to the EPA; (b) did Dr Limerick offer his services to the Minister uninvited or did the Minister suggest to Dr Limerick that he should consider nominating for the EPA vacancy; (c) in what way does Dr Limerick conform to the requirement under the Environment Protection Act that a member of the EPA must have some background and interest in the environment; (d) at the time the Minister was considering appointing Dr Limerick to the EPA, was the Minister aware of Dr Limerick's actual or perceived conflicts of interest in relation to any matters before the EPA or likely to come before the EPA; (e) at the time the Minister was considering appointing Dr Limerick to the EPA did the Minister ask Dr Limerick to advise him of any actual or perceived conflicts of interest he might have if appointed to the Environmental Protection Authority: (i) if yes, did Dr Limerick acknowledge he might have conflicts of interest and if so, in relation to which specific matters or class of matters; (f) has Dr Limerick formally declared an interest or potential conflict of interest in relation to any other matters under consideration by the EPA, and if yes what are those matters; and (g) how does the Minister intend to deal with matters including actual projects and proposals through to matters of policy and procedure that will be dealt with by the EPA in which Dr Limerick has a conflict of interest, or from which he may benefit?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 March 2016
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
28 days
(a) 5 November 2015.
(b) Expressions of Interest were called for an Environmental Protection Authority member vacancy in accordance with section 7(3) of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and Dr Limerick submitted an Expression of Interest.
(c) Dr Limerick has had an interest in, and experience of, matters affecting the environment generally in his past positions. More recently, Dr Limerick was Chairman of the Stakeholder Reference Group for the Perth-Peel Strategic Environmental Assessment for 3 years.
(d)-(e) Dr Limerick is required to manage any conflicts of interests he has in any matters before the Environmental Protection Authority in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and Environmental Protection Authority Code of Conduct, the same as any other member.
(e)(i) Not applicable.
(f) Yes. Dr Limerick declared conflict of interests in relation to all BHP Billiton Iron Ore Projects.
(g) Dr Limerick is required to manage any conflicts of interests he has in any matters before the Environmental Protection Act in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and Environmental Protection Authority Code of Conduct, the same as any other member.
(b) Expressions of Interest were called for an Environmental Protection Authority member vacancy in accordance with section 7(3) of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and Dr Limerick submitted an Expression of Interest.
(c) Dr Limerick has had an interest in, and experience of, matters affecting the environment generally in his past positions. More recently, Dr Limerick was Chairman of the Stakeholder Reference Group for the Perth-Peel Strategic Environmental Assessment for 3 years.
(d)-(e) Dr Limerick is required to manage any conflicts of interests he has in any matters before the Environmental Protection Authority in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and Environmental Protection Authority Code of Conduct, the same as any other member.
(e)(i) Not applicable.
(f) Yes. Dr Limerick declared conflict of interests in relation to all BHP Billiton Iron Ore Projects.
(g) Dr Limerick is required to manage any conflicts of interests he has in any matters before the Environmental Protection Act in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1986 and Environmental Protection Authority Code of Conduct, the same as any other member.
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