❓ Opposition questions the Labor government's $19.5 million grant to Griffin Coal's receivers, seeking details on drawdown amounts, dates, purposes, and authorisation. The government cites commercial sensitivity but provides some drawdown information and authorisation details.
AnsweredQoN 584Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
GRIFFIN COAL —
LIQUIDATOR
584. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the
Minister for State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade:
I refer to the Labor government's
extraordinary grant of $19.5 million to the receivers and managers of the
insolvent Griffin Coal.
(1) As at 13 June 2023, how much
fiscal drawdown has occurred on the $19.5 million grant?
(2) On what dates
did the drawdowns occur, what were the specific amounts and for what purpose,
and to what entity, individual, business or contractor were the payments made?
(3) Who or whom
authorised the drawdowns on the $19.5 million grant and will the minister table
the criteria determining access to the grant; and, if not, why not?
LIQUIDATOR
584. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the
Minister for State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade:
I refer to the Labor government's
extraordinary grant of $19.5 million to the receivers and managers of the
insolvent Griffin Coal.
(1) As at 13 June 2023, how much
fiscal drawdown has occurred on the $19.5 million grant?
(2) On what dates
did the drawdowns occur, what were the specific amounts and for what purpose,
and to what entity, individual, business or contractor were the payments made?
(3) Who or whom
authorised the drawdowns on the $19.5 million grant and will the minister table
the criteria determining access to the grant; and, if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader of the
Opposition for some notice of the question. The following answer is provided on
behalf of the Minister for State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade.
(1)–(3) This
matter is commercially sensitive and there are limitations on what the
government can share. As I previously advised the house, $7.3 million was drawn
down by Griffin's receivers and managers in March 2023 to fund the
repair of an excavator and a contract to prepare the mine for winter. Following
an amendment to the financial assistance agreement to allow for the provision
of funding to support continued mining operation for the period 1 March to 30 June
2023, an additional $9.7 million was drawn down by Griffin's receivers
and managers on 31 May 2023. A further $6.2 million has recently been approved
for drawdown. The drawdowns were authorised by the Department of the Premier
and Cabinet. Prior to payment, the receivers and managers provided supporting
information for expenditure consistent with normal government standards for
payments, including information about expenditure and invoices. The funding
agreement includes requirements for regular reporting, the provision of
information upon request and prevents funding being used for certain purposes,
including payment to secured creditors.
Opposition for some notice of the question. The following answer is provided on
behalf of the Minister for State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade.
(1)–(3) This
matter is commercially sensitive and there are limitations on what the
government can share. As I previously advised the house, $7.3 million was drawn
down by Griffin's receivers and managers in March 2023 to fund the
repair of an excavator and a contract to prepare the mine for winter. Following
an amendment to the financial assistance agreement to allow for the provision
of funding to support continued mining operation for the period 1 March to 30 June
2023, an additional $9.7 million was drawn down by Griffin's receivers
and managers on 31 May 2023. A further $6.2 million has recently been approved
for drawdown. The drawdowns were authorised by the Department of the Premier
and Cabinet. Prior to payment, the receivers and managers provided supporting
information for expenditure consistent with normal government standards for
payments, including information about expenditure and invoices. The funding
agreement includes requirements for regular reporting, the provision of
information upon request and prevents funding being used for certain purposes,
including payment to secured creditors.
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