❓ A parliamentary question probes the Minister for Environment and Heritage about meetings between her staff and lobbyists regarding the Koolyanobbing iron ore mine expansion. The Minister's response defends her decision-making process and clarifies the extent of the meetings.
AnsweredQoN 577Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the environmental approval given by the minister this week for expansion of Portman Ltd’s Koolyanobbing iron ore mine - I understand the first time the minister has reversed a major recommendation by the EPA - and also to revelations today that senior staff from the minister’s office had met with Mr Brian Burke and Mr Julian Grill on this matter. (1) How many meetings did senior staff in the minister’s office have with Burke and Grill, and on what dates were the meetings held? (2) Was the minister aware that these meetings were taking place; and, if so, did she condone them? (3) Did the minister advise the Premier that her senior staff were meeting with Burke and Grill; and, if so, when? Dr J.M. EDWARDS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) We clearly have an opposition spokesperson on the environment who is out of touch! He clearly has not read last week’s media release about Burns Beach, in which - much as I do not particularly want to draw a lot of attention to it - I went against the EPA. Therefore, this is not the first time I have rejected advice from the EPA. Indeed, there have been many circumstances in which I have rejected advice from the EPA, and in a number of circumstances in which I have rejected advice from the EPA, officers of the EPA have come to see me and talk about it. I have a very robust relationship with the EPA; we both understand each other’s roles and responsibilities. I have exercised my decision-making capabilities responsibly and I will continue to do so. Mr B.K. Masters: I support you in the decision. I need to understand the process. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Ah! So he supports the decision! This one over there thinks I am in bed with the hippies and greenies, and the Leader of the Opposition thinks I am under some sort of brown influence! It is fascinating! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: I thank members opposite for their support. It is very cohesive. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
(1) How many meetings did senior staff in the minister’s office have with Burke and Grill, and on what dates were the meetings held? (2) Was the minister aware that these meetings were taking place; and, if so, did she condone them? (3) Did the minister advise the Premier that her senior staff were meeting with Burke and Grill; and, if so, when? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(3) We clearly have an opposition spokesperson on the environment who is out of touch! He clearly has not read last week’s media release about Burns Beach, in which - much as I do not particularly want to draw a lot of attention to it - I went against the EPA. Therefore, this is not the first time I have rejected advice from the EPA. Indeed, there have been many circumstances in which I have rejected advice from the EPA, and in a number of circumstances in which I have rejected advice from the EPA, officers of the EPA have come to see me and talk about it. I have a very robust relationship with the EPA; we both understand each other’s roles and responsibilities. I have exercised my decision-making capabilities responsibly and I will continue to do so. Mr B.K. Masters: I support you in the decision. I need to understand the process. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Ah! So he supports the decision! This one over there thinks I am in bed with the hippies and greenies, and the Leader of the Opposition thinks I am under some sort of brown influence! It is fascinating! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: I thank members opposite for their support. It is very cohesive. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
(2) Was the minister aware that these meetings were taking place; and, if so, did she condone them? (3) Did the minister advise the Premier that her senior staff were meeting with Burke and Grill; and, if so, when? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(3) We clearly have an opposition spokesperson on the environment who is out of touch! He clearly has not read last week’s media release about Burns Beach, in which - much as I do not particularly want to draw a lot of attention to it - I went against the EPA. Therefore, this is not the first time I have rejected advice from the EPA. Indeed, there have been many circumstances in which I have rejected advice from the EPA, and in a number of circumstances in which I have rejected advice from the EPA, officers of the EPA have come to see me and talk about it. I have a very robust relationship with the EPA; we both understand each other’s roles and responsibilities. I have exercised my decision-making capabilities responsibly and I will continue to do so. Mr B.K. Masters: I support you in the decision. I need to understand the process. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Ah! So he supports the decision! This one over there thinks I am in bed with the hippies and greenies, and the Leader of the Opposition thinks I am under some sort of brown influence! It is fascinating! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: I thank members opposite for their support. It is very cohesive. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
(3) Did the minister advise the Premier that her senior staff were meeting with Burke and Grill; and, if so, when? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(3) We clearly have an opposition spokesperson on the environment who is out of touch! He clearly has not read last week’s media release about Burns Beach, in which - much as I do not particularly want to draw a lot of attention to it - I went against the EPA. Therefore, this is not the first time I have rejected advice from the EPA. Indeed, there have been many circumstances in which I have rejected advice from the EPA, and in a number of circumstances in which I have rejected advice from the EPA, officers of the EPA have come to see me and talk about it. I have a very robust relationship with the EPA; we both understand each other’s roles and responsibilities. I have exercised my decision-making capabilities responsibly and I will continue to do so. Mr B.K. Masters: I support you in the decision. I need to understand the process. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Ah! So he supports the decision! This one over there thinks I am in bed with the hippies and greenies, and the Leader of the Opposition thinks I am under some sort of brown influence! It is fascinating! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: I thank members opposite for their support. It is very cohesive. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(3) We clearly have an opposition spokesperson on the environment who is out of touch! He clearly has not read last week’s media release about Burns Beach, in which - much as I do not particularly want to draw a lot of attention to it - I went against the EPA. Therefore, this is not the first time I have rejected advice from the EPA. Indeed, there have been many circumstances in which I have rejected advice from the EPA, and in a number of circumstances in which I have rejected advice from the EPA, officers of the EPA have come to see me and talk about it. I have a very robust relationship with the EPA; we both understand each other’s roles and responsibilities. I have exercised my decision-making capabilities responsibly and I will continue to do so. Mr B.K. Masters: I support you in the decision. I need to understand the process. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Ah! So he supports the decision! This one over there thinks I am in bed with the hippies and greenies, and the Leader of the Opposition thinks I am under some sort of brown influence! It is fascinating! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: I thank members opposite for their support. It is very cohesive. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
(1)-(3) We clearly have an opposition spokesperson on the environment who is out of touch! He clearly has not read last week’s media release about Burns Beach, in which - much as I do not particularly want to draw a lot of attention to it - I went against the EPA. Therefore, this is not the first time I have rejected advice from the EPA. Indeed, there have been many circumstances in which I have rejected advice from the EPA, and in a number of circumstances in which I have rejected advice from the EPA, officers of the EPA have come to see me and talk about it. I have a very robust relationship with the EPA; we both understand each other’s roles and responsibilities. I have exercised my decision-making capabilities responsibly and I will continue to do so. Mr B.K. Masters: I support you in the decision. I need to understand the process. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Ah! So he supports the decision! This one over there thinks I am in bed with the hippies and greenies, and the Leader of the Opposition thinks I am under some sort of brown influence! It is fascinating! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: I thank members opposite for their support. It is very cohesive. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
Mr B.K. Masters: I support you in the decision. I need to understand the process. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Ah! So he supports the decision! This one over there thinks I am in bed with the hippies and greenies, and the Leader of the Opposition thinks I am under some sort of brown influence! It is fascinating! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: I thank members opposite for their support. It is very cohesive. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Ah! So he supports the decision! This one over there thinks I am in bed with the hippies and greenies, and the Leader of the Opposition thinks I am under some sort of brown influence! It is fascinating! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: I thank members opposite for their support. It is very cohesive. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: I thank members opposite for their support. It is very cohesive. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
The SPEAKER: Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: I thank members opposite for their support. It is very cohesive. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: I thank members opposite for their support. It is very cohesive. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
(1) How many meetings did senior staff in the minister’s office have with Burke and Grill, and on what dates were the meetings held? (2) Was the minister aware that these meetings were taking place; and, if so, did she condone them? (3) Did the minister advise the Premier that her senior staff were meeting with Burke and Grill; and, if so, when? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(3) We clearly have an opposition spokesperson on the environment who is out of touch! He clearly has not read last week’s media release about Burns Beach, in which - much as I do not particularly want to draw a lot of attention to it - I went against the EPA. Therefore, this is not the first time I have rejected advice from the EPA. Indeed, there have been many circumstances in which I have rejected advice from the EPA, and in a number of circumstances in which I have rejected advice from the EPA, officers of the EPA have come to see me and talk about it. I have a very robust relationship with the EPA; we both understand each other’s roles and responsibilities. I have exercised my decision-making capabilities responsibly and I will continue to do so. Mr B.K. Masters: I support you in the decision. I need to understand the process. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Ah! So he supports the decision! This one over there thinks I am in bed with the hippies and greenies, and the Leader of the Opposition thinks I am under some sort of brown influence! It is fascinating! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: I thank members opposite for their support. It is very cohesive. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
(2) Was the minister aware that these meetings were taking place; and, if so, did she condone them? (3) Did the minister advise the Premier that her senior staff were meeting with Burke and Grill; and, if so, when? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(3) We clearly have an opposition spokesperson on the environment who is out of touch! He clearly has not read last week’s media release about Burns Beach, in which - much as I do not particularly want to draw a lot of attention to it - I went against the EPA. Therefore, this is not the first time I have rejected advice from the EPA. Indeed, there have been many circumstances in which I have rejected advice from the EPA, and in a number of circumstances in which I have rejected advice from the EPA, officers of the EPA have come to see me and talk about it. I have a very robust relationship with the EPA; we both understand each other’s roles and responsibilities. I have exercised my decision-making capabilities responsibly and I will continue to do so. Mr B.K. Masters: I support you in the decision. I need to understand the process. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Ah! So he supports the decision! This one over there thinks I am in bed with the hippies and greenies, and the Leader of the Opposition thinks I am under some sort of brown influence! It is fascinating! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: I thank members opposite for their support. It is very cohesive. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
(3) Did the minister advise the Premier that her senior staff were meeting with Burke and Grill; and, if so, when? Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(3) We clearly have an opposition spokesperson on the environment who is out of touch! He clearly has not read last week’s media release about Burns Beach, in which - much as I do not particularly want to draw a lot of attention to it - I went against the EPA. Therefore, this is not the first time I have rejected advice from the EPA. Indeed, there have been many circumstances in which I have rejected advice from the EPA, and in a number of circumstances in which I have rejected advice from the EPA, officers of the EPA have come to see me and talk about it. I have a very robust relationship with the EPA; we both understand each other’s roles and responsibilities. I have exercised my decision-making capabilities responsibly and I will continue to do so. Mr B.K. Masters: I support you in the decision. I need to understand the process. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Ah! So he supports the decision! This one over there thinks I am in bed with the hippies and greenies, and the Leader of the Opposition thinks I am under some sort of brown influence! It is fascinating! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: I thank members opposite for their support. It is very cohesive. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: (1)-(3) We clearly have an opposition spokesperson on the environment who is out of touch! He clearly has not read last week’s media release about Burns Beach, in which - much as I do not particularly want to draw a lot of attention to it - I went against the EPA. Therefore, this is not the first time I have rejected advice from the EPA. Indeed, there have been many circumstances in which I have rejected advice from the EPA, and in a number of circumstances in which I have rejected advice from the EPA, officers of the EPA have come to see me and talk about it. I have a very robust relationship with the EPA; we both understand each other’s roles and responsibilities. I have exercised my decision-making capabilities responsibly and I will continue to do so. Mr B.K. Masters: I support you in the decision. I need to understand the process. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Ah! So he supports the decision! This one over there thinks I am in bed with the hippies and greenies, and the Leader of the Opposition thinks I am under some sort of brown influence! It is fascinating! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: I thank members opposite for their support. It is very cohesive. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
(1)-(3) We clearly have an opposition spokesperson on the environment who is out of touch! He clearly has not read last week’s media release about Burns Beach, in which - much as I do not particularly want to draw a lot of attention to it - I went against the EPA. Therefore, this is not the first time I have rejected advice from the EPA. Indeed, there have been many circumstances in which I have rejected advice from the EPA, and in a number of circumstances in which I have rejected advice from the EPA, officers of the EPA have come to see me and talk about it. I have a very robust relationship with the EPA; we both understand each other’s roles and responsibilities. I have exercised my decision-making capabilities responsibly and I will continue to do so. Mr B.K. Masters: I support you in the decision. I need to understand the process. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Ah! So he supports the decision! This one over there thinks I am in bed with the hippies and greenies, and the Leader of the Opposition thinks I am under some sort of brown influence! It is fascinating! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: I thank members opposite for their support. It is very cohesive. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
Mr B.K. Masters: I support you in the decision. I need to understand the process. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Ah! So he supports the decision! This one over there thinks I am in bed with the hippies and greenies, and the Leader of the Opposition thinks I am under some sort of brown influence! It is fascinating! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: I thank members opposite for their support. It is very cohesive. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: Ah! So he supports the decision! This one over there thinks I am in bed with the hippies and greenies, and the Leader of the Opposition thinks I am under some sort of brown influence! It is fascinating! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: I thank members opposite for their support. It is very cohesive. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: I thank members opposite for their support. It is very cohesive. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
The SPEAKER: Order! Dr J.M. EDWARDS: I thank members opposite for their support. It is very cohesive. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: I thank members opposite for their support. It is very cohesive. Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
Mr M.P. Whitely interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
The SPEAKER: I call the member for Roleystone to order for the first time. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: My chief of staff met with Brian Burke in November last year before the EPA bulletin was released. The EPA bulletin was released on 9 December. The bulletin said that it believed the proposal should not proceed. People need to read the EPA bulletin. Has the member for Kalgoorlie read it? Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
Dr G.I. Gallop: Of course he has not read it. The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
The SPEAKER: Order, members!. Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS: We are being led to believe that the EPA bulletin is a black and white document. It actually is not. There are effectively five proposals in the EPA bulletin, and questions were asked about only two of them, W1 and W3. It is clear from the comments being made that people have not bothered to read the EPA bulletin. To get back to the question, yes, my chief of staff did meet with Mr Burke in November, and I understand Mr Grill might have attended as well. This was before the EPA bulletin was released. When the bulletin was released, which was around the same time as we had the discussion about these lobbying activities, I directed my staff not to meet these particular gentlemen in light of their lobbying, the EPA decision and the decision making that I would need to exercise very carefully. Unfortunately, in mid March one of my policy officers attended a meeting with Portman Ltd, not knowing that Mr Grill would be present. He immediately notified me, and I notified the Premier.
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