❓ Hon. Helen Bullock questions the Minister for Energy about the demobilisation of a Horizon contractor on the Pilbara underground power project and the timing of a media release. The Minister provides a vague response, prompting Bullock to seek clarification.
AnsweredQoN 241Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
PILBARA
UNDERGROUND POWER PROJECT
241. Hon HELEN BULLOCK to the Minister for Energy:
I have another simple question for the Minister for Energy.
The question is without notice and I am sure that he can handle it. I refer to
the Pilbara underground power project.
(1) When was the minister advised that the Horizon contractor
had demobilised?
(2) Is the minister intending to issue a media release on
this issue and when?
UNDERGROUND POWER PROJECT
241. Hon HELEN BULLOCK to the Minister for Energy:
I have another simple question for the Minister for Energy.
The question is without notice and I am sure that he can handle it. I refer to
the Pilbara underground power project.
(1) When was the minister advised that the Horizon contractor
had demobilised?
(2) Is the minister intending to issue a media release on
this issue and when?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2)
I think I have answered a bit of this question in a previous answer to a
question that was asked about Pilbara underground power. There have been some
issues with one component of the program that we are identifying and overcoming
at the moment. The Pilbara underground power project will, ideally,
cyclone-proof the electricity system in the Pilbara. We will continue to work
through the issues and process the program accordingly. Ultimately, of course,
whenever a program is completed and the last pole is standing, a media release
will be issued. I am sure we will do that in due course. At the moment, the
program is proceeding. There are some issues. We are working through those
issues. Ultimately, it will lead to a much more reliable electricity system in
the Pilbara.
Point of Order
Hon
HELEN BULLOCK : Mr
President, I think the minister did not hear or did not understand the
question. I think it is necessary to repeat my question, if you will allow me
to do so.
The PRESIDENT : I heard two parts of your question
about the Pilbara underground project and a contractor, and about a media
release. Was there another aspect?
Hon HELEN BULLOCK : As I said, Mr President, the
question is very simple.
The PRESIDENT : I will allow you to repeat your
question and if there is something that the minister wants to add very briefly
in response to that, I will let him.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Hon HELEN BULLOCK : The first part of the question was: w hen
was the minister advised that the Horizon contractor had demobilised?
Hon
PETER COLLIER : It
was reasonably recent. I cannot give the member a specific date. There have
been some issues with the program over recent months. As the member would be
aware, the extent of the problems has escalated, particularly in the past three
months. When I have a meeting with the corporations, there might be five or six
items on an agenda, and with Horizon often 10 or 11 items; and, yes, they will
be identified. There have been issues with this contractor. We have been
identifying probably in the past three to four months that there have been some
significant issues. I could not tell the member when I was first informed of
this, without some notice.
I think I have answered a bit of this question in a previous answer to a
question that was asked about Pilbara underground power. There have been some
issues with one component of the program that we are identifying and overcoming
at the moment. The Pilbara underground power project will, ideally,
cyclone-proof the electricity system in the Pilbara. We will continue to work
through the issues and process the program accordingly. Ultimately, of course,
whenever a program is completed and the last pole is standing, a media release
will be issued. I am sure we will do that in due course. At the moment, the
program is proceeding. There are some issues. We are working through those
issues. Ultimately, it will lead to a much more reliable electricity system in
the Pilbara.
Point of Order
Hon
HELEN BULLOCK : Mr
President, I think the minister did not hear or did not understand the
question. I think it is necessary to repeat my question, if you will allow me
to do so.
The PRESIDENT : I heard two parts of your question
about the Pilbara underground project and a contractor, and about a media
release. Was there another aspect?
Hon HELEN BULLOCK : As I said, Mr President, the
question is very simple.
The PRESIDENT : I will allow you to repeat your
question and if there is something that the minister wants to add very briefly
in response to that, I will let him.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Hon HELEN BULLOCK : The first part of the question was: w hen
was the minister advised that the Horizon contractor had demobilised?
Hon
PETER COLLIER : It
was reasonably recent. I cannot give the member a specific date. There have
been some issues with the program over recent months. As the member would be
aware, the extent of the problems has escalated, particularly in the past three
months. When I have a meeting with the corporations, there might be five or six
items on an agenda, and with Horizon often 10 or 11 items; and, yes, they will
be identified. There have been issues with this contractor. We have been
identifying probably in the past three to four months that there have been some
significant issues. I could not tell the member when I was first informed of
this, without some notice.
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