❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the Minister for Environment regarding the Auditor General's report on environmental management of Cockburn Sound, focusing on monitoring failures and a review of management practices. The Minister acknowledges the report and commits to discussing improvements with relevant agencies.
AnsweredQoN 734Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
COCKBURN SOUND — AUDITOR GENERAL’S REPORT
(1) Is the minister aware of the Auditor General’s eighth report of September 2010, “Environmental Management of Cockburn Sound”, which was tabled today? (2) Has the minister been briefed on this report? (3) Does the minister share my concerns and the concerns of the Auditor General about the failures of adequate monitoring and protection of Cockburn Sound? (4) Will the minister, as a matter of urgency, bring forward the review of the management of Cockburn Sound? Hon DONNA FARAGHER
(1) Is the minister aware of the Auditor General’s eighth report of September 2010, “Environmental Management of Cockburn Sound”, which was tabled today? (2) Has the minister been briefed on this report? (3) Does the minister share my concerns and the concerns of the Auditor General about the failures of adequate monitoring and protection of Cockburn Sound? (4) Will the minister, as a matter of urgency, bring forward the review of the management of Cockburn Sound? Hon DONNA FARAGHER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for the question. (1)–(4) Yes, I am aware that the Auditor General released that report today. I had a conversation with the Auditor General yesterday afternoon; I obviously did not see the content of the report, but I had a briefing from him. It is important that we consider very closely the findings that he has made. We first have to acknowledge that he has said that the state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound is strong and that there are good planning and decision-making frameworks in place. However, the member is quite right; he has identified some areas for improvement, and they are areas relating primarily to operating procedures of the Cockburn Sound Management Council and follow-up procedures through the Department of Environment and Conservation and, indeed, the Environmental Protection Authority. I will be speaking to DEC, the EPA and the council to see where those improvements can be made, and I am quite sure that all three of those agencies will want to make sure that that happens. I know that the Auditor General has also put forward the position that the review should be brought forward. I think it is currently scheduled for 2012. That is something that I will discuss with the EPA, but I recognise that it is a clear recommendation by the Auditor General, and I will take it up with the EPA and give it consideration.
(2) Has the minister been briefed on this report? (3) Does the minister share my concerns and the concerns of the Auditor General about the failures of adequate monitoring and protection of Cockburn Sound? (4) Will the minister, as a matter of urgency, bring forward the review of the management of Cockburn Sound? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the honourable member for the question. (1)–(4) Yes, I am aware that the Auditor General released that report today. I had a conversation with the Auditor General yesterday afternoon; I obviously did not see the content of the report, but I had a briefing from him. It is important that we consider very closely the findings that he has made. We first have to acknowledge that he has said that the state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound is strong and that there are good planning and decision-making frameworks in place. However, the member is quite right; he has identified some areas for improvement, and they are areas relating primarily to operating procedures of the Cockburn Sound Management Council and follow-up procedures through the Department of Environment and Conservation and, indeed, the Environmental Protection Authority. I will be speaking to DEC, the EPA and the council to see where those improvements can be made, and I am quite sure that all three of those agencies will want to make sure that that happens. I know that the Auditor General has also put forward the position that the review should be brought forward. I think it is currently scheduled for 2012. That is something that I will discuss with the EPA, but I recognise that it is a clear recommendation by the Auditor General, and I will take it up with the EPA and give it consideration.
(3) Does the minister share my concerns and the concerns of the Auditor General about the failures of adequate monitoring and protection of Cockburn Sound? (4) Will the minister, as a matter of urgency, bring forward the review of the management of Cockburn Sound? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the honourable member for the question. (1)–(4) Yes, I am aware that the Auditor General released that report today. I had a conversation with the Auditor General yesterday afternoon; I obviously did not see the content of the report, but I had a briefing from him. It is important that we consider very closely the findings that he has made. We first have to acknowledge that he has said that the state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound is strong and that there are good planning and decision-making frameworks in place. However, the member is quite right; he has identified some areas for improvement, and they are areas relating primarily to operating procedures of the Cockburn Sound Management Council and follow-up procedures through the Department of Environment and Conservation and, indeed, the Environmental Protection Authority. I will be speaking to DEC, the EPA and the council to see where those improvements can be made, and I am quite sure that all three of those agencies will want to make sure that that happens. I know that the Auditor General has also put forward the position that the review should be brought forward. I think it is currently scheduled for 2012. That is something that I will discuss with the EPA, but I recognise that it is a clear recommendation by the Auditor General, and I will take it up with the EPA and give it consideration.
(4) Will the minister, as a matter of urgency, bring forward the review of the management of Cockburn Sound? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the honourable member for the question. (1)–(4) Yes, I am aware that the Auditor General released that report today. I had a conversation with the Auditor General yesterday afternoon; I obviously did not see the content of the report, but I had a briefing from him. It is important that we consider very closely the findings that he has made. We first have to acknowledge that he has said that the state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound is strong and that there are good planning and decision-making frameworks in place. However, the member is quite right; he has identified some areas for improvement, and they are areas relating primarily to operating procedures of the Cockburn Sound Management Council and follow-up procedures through the Department of Environment and Conservation and, indeed, the Environmental Protection Authority. I will be speaking to DEC, the EPA and the council to see where those improvements can be made, and I am quite sure that all three of those agencies will want to make sure that that happens. I know that the Auditor General has also put forward the position that the review should be brought forward. I think it is currently scheduled for 2012. That is something that I will discuss with the EPA, but I recognise that it is a clear recommendation by the Auditor General, and I will take it up with the EPA and give it consideration.
Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the honourable member for the question. (1)–(4) Yes, I am aware that the Auditor General released that report today. I had a conversation with the Auditor General yesterday afternoon; I obviously did not see the content of the report, but I had a briefing from him. It is important that we consider very closely the findings that he has made. We first have to acknowledge that he has said that the state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound is strong and that there are good planning and decision-making frameworks in place. However, the member is quite right; he has identified some areas for improvement, and they are areas relating primarily to operating procedures of the Cockburn Sound Management Council and follow-up procedures through the Department of Environment and Conservation and, indeed, the Environmental Protection Authority. I will be speaking to DEC, the EPA and the council to see where those improvements can be made, and I am quite sure that all three of those agencies will want to make sure that that happens. I know that the Auditor General has also put forward the position that the review should be brought forward. I think it is currently scheduled for 2012. That is something that I will discuss with the EPA, but I recognise that it is a clear recommendation by the Auditor General, and I will take it up with the EPA and give it consideration.
I thank the honourable member for the question. (1)–(4) Yes, I am aware that the Auditor General released that report today. I had a conversation with the Auditor General yesterday afternoon; I obviously did not see the content of the report, but I had a briefing from him. It is important that we consider very closely the findings that he has made. We first have to acknowledge that he has said that the state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound is strong and that there are good planning and decision-making frameworks in place. However, the member is quite right; he has identified some areas for improvement, and they are areas relating primarily to operating procedures of the Cockburn Sound Management Council and follow-up procedures through the Department of Environment and Conservation and, indeed, the Environmental Protection Authority. I will be speaking to DEC, the EPA and the council to see where those improvements can be made, and I am quite sure that all three of those agencies will want to make sure that that happens. I know that the Auditor General has also put forward the position that the review should be brought forward. I think it is currently scheduled for 2012. That is something that I will discuss with the EPA, but I recognise that it is a clear recommendation by the Auditor General, and I will take it up with the EPA and give it consideration.
(1)–(4) Yes, I am aware that the Auditor General released that report today. I had a conversation with the Auditor General yesterday afternoon; I obviously did not see the content of the report, but I had a briefing from him. It is important that we consider very closely the findings that he has made. We first have to acknowledge that he has said that the state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound is strong and that there are good planning and decision-making frameworks in place. However, the member is quite right; he has identified some areas for improvement, and they are areas relating primarily to operating procedures of the Cockburn Sound Management Council and follow-up procedures through the Department of Environment and Conservation and, indeed, the Environmental Protection Authority. I will be speaking to DEC, the EPA and the council to see where those improvements can be made, and I am quite sure that all three of those agencies will want to make sure that that happens. I know that the Auditor General has also put forward the position that the review should be brought forward. I think it is currently scheduled for 2012. That is something that I will discuss with the EPA, but I recognise that it is a clear recommendation by the Auditor General, and I will take it up with the EPA and give it consideration.
(2) Has the minister been briefed on this report? (3) Does the minister share my concerns and the concerns of the Auditor General about the failures of adequate monitoring and protection of Cockburn Sound? (4) Will the minister, as a matter of urgency, bring forward the review of the management of Cockburn Sound? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the honourable member for the question. (1)–(4) Yes, I am aware that the Auditor General released that report today. I had a conversation with the Auditor General yesterday afternoon; I obviously did not see the content of the report, but I had a briefing from him. It is important that we consider very closely the findings that he has made. We first have to acknowledge that he has said that the state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound is strong and that there are good planning and decision-making frameworks in place. However, the member is quite right; he has identified some areas for improvement, and they are areas relating primarily to operating procedures of the Cockburn Sound Management Council and follow-up procedures through the Department of Environment and Conservation and, indeed, the Environmental Protection Authority. I will be speaking to DEC, the EPA and the council to see where those improvements can be made, and I am quite sure that all three of those agencies will want to make sure that that happens. I know that the Auditor General has also put forward the position that the review should be brought forward. I think it is currently scheduled for 2012. That is something that I will discuss with the EPA, but I recognise that it is a clear recommendation by the Auditor General, and I will take it up with the EPA and give it consideration.
(3) Does the minister share my concerns and the concerns of the Auditor General about the failures of adequate monitoring and protection of Cockburn Sound? (4) Will the minister, as a matter of urgency, bring forward the review of the management of Cockburn Sound? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the honourable member for the question. (1)–(4) Yes, I am aware that the Auditor General released that report today. I had a conversation with the Auditor General yesterday afternoon; I obviously did not see the content of the report, but I had a briefing from him. It is important that we consider very closely the findings that he has made. We first have to acknowledge that he has said that the state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound is strong and that there are good planning and decision-making frameworks in place. However, the member is quite right; he has identified some areas for improvement, and they are areas relating primarily to operating procedures of the Cockburn Sound Management Council and follow-up procedures through the Department of Environment and Conservation and, indeed, the Environmental Protection Authority. I will be speaking to DEC, the EPA and the council to see where those improvements can be made, and I am quite sure that all three of those agencies will want to make sure that that happens. I know that the Auditor General has also put forward the position that the review should be brought forward. I think it is currently scheduled for 2012. That is something that I will discuss with the EPA, but I recognise that it is a clear recommendation by the Auditor General, and I will take it up with the EPA and give it consideration.
(4) Will the minister, as a matter of urgency, bring forward the review of the management of Cockburn Sound? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the honourable member for the question. (1)–(4) Yes, I am aware that the Auditor General released that report today. I had a conversation with the Auditor General yesterday afternoon; I obviously did not see the content of the report, but I had a briefing from him. It is important that we consider very closely the findings that he has made. We first have to acknowledge that he has said that the state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound is strong and that there are good planning and decision-making frameworks in place. However, the member is quite right; he has identified some areas for improvement, and they are areas relating primarily to operating procedures of the Cockburn Sound Management Council and follow-up procedures through the Department of Environment and Conservation and, indeed, the Environmental Protection Authority. I will be speaking to DEC, the EPA and the council to see where those improvements can be made, and I am quite sure that all three of those agencies will want to make sure that that happens. I know that the Auditor General has also put forward the position that the review should be brought forward. I think it is currently scheduled for 2012. That is something that I will discuss with the EPA, but I recognise that it is a clear recommendation by the Auditor General, and I will take it up with the EPA and give it consideration.
Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the honourable member for the question. (1)–(4) Yes, I am aware that the Auditor General released that report today. I had a conversation with the Auditor General yesterday afternoon; I obviously did not see the content of the report, but I had a briefing from him. It is important that we consider very closely the findings that he has made. We first have to acknowledge that he has said that the state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound is strong and that there are good planning and decision-making frameworks in place. However, the member is quite right; he has identified some areas for improvement, and they are areas relating primarily to operating procedures of the Cockburn Sound Management Council and follow-up procedures through the Department of Environment and Conservation and, indeed, the Environmental Protection Authority. I will be speaking to DEC, the EPA and the council to see where those improvements can be made, and I am quite sure that all three of those agencies will want to make sure that that happens. I know that the Auditor General has also put forward the position that the review should be brought forward. I think it is currently scheduled for 2012. That is something that I will discuss with the EPA, but I recognise that it is a clear recommendation by the Auditor General, and I will take it up with the EPA and give it consideration.
I thank the honourable member for the question. (1)–(4) Yes, I am aware that the Auditor General released that report today. I had a conversation with the Auditor General yesterday afternoon; I obviously did not see the content of the report, but I had a briefing from him. It is important that we consider very closely the findings that he has made. We first have to acknowledge that he has said that the state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound is strong and that there are good planning and decision-making frameworks in place. However, the member is quite right; he has identified some areas for improvement, and they are areas relating primarily to operating procedures of the Cockburn Sound Management Council and follow-up procedures through the Department of Environment and Conservation and, indeed, the Environmental Protection Authority. I will be speaking to DEC, the EPA and the council to see where those improvements can be made, and I am quite sure that all three of those agencies will want to make sure that that happens. I know that the Auditor General has also put forward the position that the review should be brought forward. I think it is currently scheduled for 2012. That is something that I will discuss with the EPA, but I recognise that it is a clear recommendation by the Auditor General, and I will take it up with the EPA and give it consideration.
(1)–(4) Yes, I am aware that the Auditor General released that report today. I had a conversation with the Auditor General yesterday afternoon; I obviously did not see the content of the report, but I had a briefing from him. It is important that we consider very closely the findings that he has made. We first have to acknowledge that he has said that the state environmental policy for Cockburn Sound is strong and that there are good planning and decision-making frameworks in place. However, the member is quite right; he has identified some areas for improvement, and they are areas relating primarily to operating procedures of the Cockburn Sound Management Council and follow-up procedures through the Department of Environment and Conservation and, indeed, the Environmental Protection Authority. I will be speaking to DEC, the EPA and the council to see where those improvements can be made, and I am quite sure that all three of those agencies will want to make sure that that happens. I know that the Auditor General has also put forward the position that the review should be brought forward. I think it is currently scheduled for 2012. That is something that I will discuss with the EPA, but I recognise that it is a clear recommendation by the Auditor General, and I will take it up with the EPA and give it consideration.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.