❓ Mr. Johnston questions the Minister for Energy about billing discrepancies in the Pilbara underground power project. The Minister deflects responsibility, stating the City of Karratha is responsible for billing and he won't interfere.
AnsweredQoN 911Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PILBARA
UNDERGROUND POWER PROJECT
911. Mr W.J. JOHNSTON to the
Minister for Energy:
I refer to the Pilbara underground power fiasco and the
extraordinary mistakes being identified in bills sent to businesses and
residents in Karratha.
(1) Is the
minister aware that out of only 47 invoices there was a total discrepancy of
over $370 000 in overcharging?
(2) Will the minister now insist that all invoices are
reviewed?
(3) Will the
minister insist on suspending all payments and interest on those payments until
an independent audit is done of all invoices?
UNDERGROUND POWER PROJECT
911. Mr W.J. JOHNSTON to the
Minister for Energy:
I refer to the Pilbara underground power fiasco and the
extraordinary mistakes being identified in bills sent to businesses and
residents in Karratha.
(1) Is the
minister aware that out of only 47 invoices there was a total discrepancy of
over $370 000 in overcharging?
(2) Will the minister now insist that all invoices are
reviewed?
(3) Will the
minister insist on suspending all payments and interest on those payments until
an independent audit is done of all invoices?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
member for the question.
(1)–(3) The
Pilbara underground power project, described as a fiasco, was an extremely
costly event. Phase 1 was much more costly than was initially expected. We went
into phase 2 with eyes wide open. I might add that the City of Karratha was a
strong proponent of that investment, and still is. In fact, I held back for a
while to ensure that the City of Karratha and, therefore, its residents, knew what
the costs were going to be, wanted the project and were able to fund it, and
for the city to communicate that to its ratepayers. That is what it did, and it
is coming in at the predicted cost for phase 2. The City of Karratha was a
strong proponent of the project, even though it was so expensive; it knew what
the cost was. Unlike in the metro area, the residents and ratepayers of the
City of Karratha pay 25 per cent of the cost, not 50 per cent as in the
metropolitan area. Now the City of Karratha, which is a duly elected body
representing the residents of Karratha, is billing ratepayers. I am not
involved in that.
Mr
M. McGowan : Incorrectly.
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : That is the problem. That is the City of Karratha. I am not a
City of Karratha councillor; I am not the Minister for Local Government. We do
not have any role with that. If the member has a problem with the City of
Karratha, he should go and talk to it. I am not going to interfere in the
billing processes of the City of Karratha, and I am definitely not going to
take advice from the member for Cannington about the involvement of the City of
Karratha.
member for the question.
(1)–(3) The
Pilbara underground power project, described as a fiasco, was an extremely
costly event. Phase 1 was much more costly than was initially expected. We went
into phase 2 with eyes wide open. I might add that the City of Karratha was a
strong proponent of that investment, and still is. In fact, I held back for a
while to ensure that the City of Karratha and, therefore, its residents, knew what
the costs were going to be, wanted the project and were able to fund it, and
for the city to communicate that to its ratepayers. That is what it did, and it
is coming in at the predicted cost for phase 2. The City of Karratha was a
strong proponent of the project, even though it was so expensive; it knew what
the cost was. Unlike in the metro area, the residents and ratepayers of the
City of Karratha pay 25 per cent of the cost, not 50 per cent as in the
metropolitan area. Now the City of Karratha, which is a duly elected body
representing the residents of Karratha, is billing ratepayers. I am not
involved in that.
Mr
M. McGowan : Incorrectly.
Dr
M.D. NAHAN : That is the problem. That is the City of Karratha. I am not a
City of Karratha councillor; I am not the Minister for Local Government. We do
not have any role with that. If the member has a problem with the City of
Karratha, he should go and talk to it. I am not going to interfere in the
billing processes of the City of Karratha, and I am definitely not going to
take advice from the member for Cannington about the involvement of the City of
Karratha.
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