A WA parliamentary question examines the relationship between government energy utilities and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, focusing on membership and involvement in a strategic energy initiative. The Minister acknowledges membership but deflects on cost, citing commercial sensitivity, and denies a conflict of interest.

AnsweredQoN 326Legislative Council
Asked
17 May 2011
Portfolio
Energy

QuestionView source ↗

ENERGY UTILITIES — CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
(1) Which of the government’s four energy utilities are members of or affiliated to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, and at what cost per annum? (2) Did any of these utilities have input to or involvement with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia’s submission to the strategic energy initiative? (3) If so, how did the utilities concerned manage their clear conflict of interest? Hon PETER COLLIER

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Synergy, Verve Energy, Horizon Power and Western Power are members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia. I ask that questions regarding the cost of that membership be placed on notice, as such detail could be considered commercial-in-confidence. My office will seek advice from the State Solicitor’s Office regarding this matter. (2) Yes. (3) The electricity corporations advocated on behalf of their customers in their dealings with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia in the preparation of the strategic energy initiative. As such, no conflict of interest existed.
(2) Did any of these utilities have input to or involvement with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia’s submission to the strategic energy initiative? (3) If so, how did the utilities concerned manage their clear conflict of interest? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Synergy, Verve Energy, Horizon Power and Western Power are members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia. I ask that questions regarding the cost of that membership be placed on notice, as such detail could be considered commercial-in-confidence. My office will seek advice from the State Solicitor’s Office regarding this matter. (2) Yes. (3) The electricity corporations advocated on behalf of their customers in their dealings with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia in the preparation of the strategic energy initiative. As such, no conflict of interest existed.
(3) If so, how did the utilities concerned manage their clear conflict of interest? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Synergy, Verve Energy, Horizon Power and Western Power are members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia. I ask that questions regarding the cost of that membership be placed on notice, as such detail could be considered commercial-in-confidence. My office will seek advice from the State Solicitor’s Office regarding this matter. (2) Yes. (3) The electricity corporations advocated on behalf of their customers in their dealings with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia in the preparation of the strategic energy initiative. As such, no conflict of interest existed.
Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Synergy, Verve Energy, Horizon Power and Western Power are members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia. I ask that questions regarding the cost of that membership be placed on notice, as such detail could be considered commercial-in-confidence. My office will seek advice from the State Solicitor’s Office regarding this matter. (2) Yes. (3) The electricity corporations advocated on behalf of their customers in their dealings with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia in the preparation of the strategic energy initiative. As such, no conflict of interest existed.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Synergy, Verve Energy, Horizon Power and Western Power are members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia. I ask that questions regarding the cost of that membership be placed on notice, as such detail could be considered commercial-in-confidence. My office will seek advice from the State Solicitor’s Office regarding this matter. (2) Yes. (3) The electricity corporations advocated on behalf of their customers in their dealings with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia in the preparation of the strategic energy initiative. As such, no conflict of interest existed.
(1) Synergy, Verve Energy, Horizon Power and Western Power are members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia. I ask that questions regarding the cost of that membership be placed on notice, as such detail could be considered commercial-in-confidence. My office will seek advice from the State Solicitor’s Office regarding this matter. (2) Yes. (3) The electricity corporations advocated on behalf of their customers in their dealings with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia in the preparation of the strategic energy initiative. As such, no conflict of interest existed.
(2) Yes. (3) The electricity corporations advocated on behalf of their customers in their dealings with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia in the preparation of the strategic energy initiative. As such, no conflict of interest existed.
(3) The electricity corporations advocated on behalf of their customers in their dealings with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia in the preparation of the strategic energy initiative. As such, no conflict of interest existed.

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