❓ A parliamentary question scrutinizes the EPA chairman's understanding and management of conflicts of interest, particularly regarding past associations with companies like Woodside and Iluka. The Minister's response affirms the chairman's understanding and outlines declared conflicts.
AnsweredQoN 5594Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Does the chairman of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Mr Barry Carbon clearly understand what is a ‘conflict of interest’ in order that he have no participation or influence in any matters being processed by the EPA that relate to any company for which he has previously acted or lobbied?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) If yes to (1), can the Minister explain why?
(4) Can the Minister list all of the companies that Mr Barry Carbon has declared would constitute a conflict of interest or a perception of a conflict of interest?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) Does the Minister agree that Mr Barry Carbon needed to step aside from any decisions that relate to any company which in the past he may have worked for or lobbied on their behalf?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) If yes to (6), why?
(9) Is it correct that Mr Barry Carbon stood aside from all discussions involving Woodside because of his recent work for the group?
(10) If yes to (9), how and why did this come about?
(11) If no to (9), why not?
(12) Since the commencement of his position from August 1, 2007 as ‘interim Chairman’, can the Minister specifically identify and state what other companies, projects and proposals has Mr Barry Carbon declared a conflict of interest for and stood aside from in discussions or deliberations in matters being processed by the EPA?
(13) If no to (12), why not?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) If yes to (1), can the Minister explain why?
(4) Can the Minister list all of the companies that Mr Barry Carbon has declared would constitute a conflict of interest or a perception of a conflict of interest?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) Does the Minister agree that Mr Barry Carbon needed to step aside from any decisions that relate to any company which in the past he may have worked for or lobbied on their behalf?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) If yes to (6), why?
(9) Is it correct that Mr Barry Carbon stood aside from all discussions involving Woodside because of his recent work for the group?
(10) If yes to (9), how and why did this come about?
(11) If no to (9), why not?
(12) Since the commencement of his position from August 1, 2007 as ‘interim Chairman’, can the Minister specifically identify and state what other companies, projects and proposals has Mr Barry Carbon declared a conflict of interest for and stood aside from in discussions or deliberations in matters being processed by the EPA?
(13) If no to (12), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
29 November 2007
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for the Environment
Response time
35 days
(1) Yes.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) Mr Carbon has had a long and distinguished career working for Governments in Australia and New Zealand and has a very clear understanding of his obligations as chairman of the EPA.
(4) At the commencement of Mr Carbon's appointment in August he provided the Minister with the following list of organisations with which he has had an ongoing interest: Waste Management Board, Telstra, Commonwealth Government and the Queensland Government Superannuation Schemes and Masterkey Custom Superannuation Shareholdings (ABB Grain, Alumina, Amcor, AMP, BHP, Bluescope, Coca-cola Amatil, Fairfax Media, Henderson Group, Onesteel, Paperlinx, Tabcorp Holdings, Telstra and WA Newspapers).
(5) Not applicable.
(6) It is the Minister's expectation that a member of the EPA would step aside from a decision where a conflict of interest or a perceived conflict of interest, exists.
(7) See answer to (6).
(8) See answer to (6).
(9) The Minister has been advised that Mr Carbon stood aside from all decisions or discussions leading to decisions involving Woodside.
(10) See answer to (9).
(11) See answer to (9).
(12) The Minister has been advised that during Mr Carbon's three month appointment as EPA chairman, he stood aside from all decisions, or discussions leading to decisions, relating to Woodside and Iluka. Mr Carbon had previously acted on behalf of Woodside, and had represented a farmer against Iluka.
(13) Not applicable.
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(2) Not applicable.
(3) Mr Carbon has had a long and distinguished career working for Governments in Australia and New Zealand and has a very clear understanding of his obligations as chairman of the EPA.
(4) At the commencement of Mr Carbon's appointment in August he provided the Minister with the following list of organisations with which he has had an ongoing interest: Waste Management Board, Telstra, Commonwealth Government and the Queensland Government Superannuation Schemes and Masterkey Custom Superannuation Shareholdings (ABB Grain, Alumina, Amcor, AMP, BHP, Bluescope, Coca-cola Amatil, Fairfax Media, Henderson Group, Onesteel, Paperlinx, Tabcorp Holdings, Telstra and WA Newspapers).
(5) Not applicable.
(6) It is the Minister's expectation that a member of the EPA would step aside from a decision where a conflict of interest or a perceived conflict of interest, exists.
(7) See answer to (6).
(8) See answer to (6).
(9) The Minister has been advised that Mr Carbon stood aside from all decisions or discussions leading to decisions involving Woodside.
(10) See answer to (9).
(11) See answer to (9).
(12) The Minister has been advised that during Mr Carbon's three month appointment as EPA chairman, he stood aside from all decisions, or discussions leading to decisions, relating to Woodside and Iluka. Mr Carbon had previously acted on behalf of Woodside, and had represented a farmer against Iluka.
(13) Not applicable.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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