❓ Question on Notice regarding the timing of discussions between the Minister for Transport and the Premier concerning the Forrestfield-Airport Link preferred bidder announcement. The Minister's answer is challenged by the opposition, leading to a somewhat convoluted response.
AnsweredQoN 210Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT — FORRESTFIELD–AIRPORT
LINK
210. Ms R. SAFFIOTI to the Minister for
Transport:
I refer to the Premier's
claim that the Minister for Transport held a private discussion with the
Premier to get approval to make the formal announcement regarding the awarding
of the preferred bidder status for the Forrestfield–Airport Link on
Thursday, 18 February.
(1) When did the minister hold that
discussion with the Premier about the formal announcement?
(2) Who was involved in the
discussion about the formal announcement?
(3) Did the
minister have other discussions about the potential of NRW Holdings and Salini
Impregilo being the preferred bidder in the weeks leading up to the formal
announcement?
LINK
210. Ms R. SAFFIOTI to the Minister for
Transport:
I refer to the Premier's
claim that the Minister for Transport held a private discussion with the
Premier to get approval to make the formal announcement regarding the awarding
of the preferred bidder status for the Forrestfield–Airport Link on
Thursday, 18 February.
(1) When did the minister hold that
discussion with the Premier about the formal announcement?
(2) Who was involved in the
discussion about the formal announcement?
(3) Did the
minister have other discussions about the potential of NRW Holdings and Salini
Impregilo being the preferred bidder in the weeks leading up to the formal
announcement?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I
will deal with the last question first. I had no idea that Salini was the
preferred tenderer until 17 February, and the announcement was made on 18 February.
The advice I have received is that the committee did not determine Salini until
16 February. We acknowledge the share price spike on 15 February. I had no
knowledge, prior to the briefing I received on Salini, as to any —
Mr M. McGowan : You're
contradicting the Premier.
Mr
D.C. NALDER : No, I am not.
Mr
M. McGowan : When did you brief him?
The
SPEAKER : Thank you. Just address those three questions.
Mr
D.C. NALDER : Yes. I started with the last question. I do not know why the
Leader of the Opposition is in such a hurry. The primary issue here —
Mr
P. Papalia : They don't trust you to answer on your own.
Mr
D.C. NALDER : I beg your pardon!
The
SPEAKER : Thank you! I have given latitude. There were three parts to the
question: when did you have this meeting with the Premier; who was involved;
and, were there other discussions? Those are the three things you need to home
in on.
Mr
D.C. NALDER : I have done the third one. It was a discussion between the
Premier and me, on our own. I am going a little bit on memory, but I believe it
was the afternoon of the day before—on the Wednesday afternoon, in
Parliament; I went and saw him in privately—rather than the Thursday
morning. It could have been—yes, it was the Wednesday afternoon.
Mr
P. Papalia : He's telling him what to say.
Mr
D.C. NALDER : I beg your pardon! I am trying to recall it because I do not
have the exact times.
The
SPEAKER : Through the Chair, please.
Mr
D.C. NALDER : It was an informal conversation that I had with the Premier.
We discussed it. I can say that I was talking about whether I make it as an
announcement during Parliament. He suggested that I go out and make it a formal
announcement because it is big enough and to not do it in the house. There was
a conversation along those lines, so we set it up to be a formal announcement
outside the house. Parliament was sitting and I remember having a private
conversation with the Premier.
will deal with the last question first. I had no idea that Salini was the
preferred tenderer until 17 February, and the announcement was made on 18 February.
The advice I have received is that the committee did not determine Salini until
16 February. We acknowledge the share price spike on 15 February. I had no
knowledge, prior to the briefing I received on Salini, as to any —
Mr M. McGowan : You're
contradicting the Premier.
Mr
D.C. NALDER : No, I am not.
Mr
M. McGowan : When did you brief him?
The
SPEAKER : Thank you. Just address those three questions.
Mr
D.C. NALDER : Yes. I started with the last question. I do not know why the
Leader of the Opposition is in such a hurry. The primary issue here —
Mr
P. Papalia : They don't trust you to answer on your own.
Mr
D.C. NALDER : I beg your pardon!
The
SPEAKER : Thank you! I have given latitude. There were three parts to the
question: when did you have this meeting with the Premier; who was involved;
and, were there other discussions? Those are the three things you need to home
in on.
Mr
D.C. NALDER : I have done the third one. It was a discussion between the
Premier and me, on our own. I am going a little bit on memory, but I believe it
was the afternoon of the day before—on the Wednesday afternoon, in
Parliament; I went and saw him in privately—rather than the Thursday
morning. It could have been—yes, it was the Wednesday afternoon.
Mr
P. Papalia : He's telling him what to say.
Mr
D.C. NALDER : I beg your pardon! I am trying to recall it because I do not
have the exact times.
The
SPEAKER : Through the Chair, please.
Mr
D.C. NALDER : It was an informal conversation that I had with the Premier.
We discussed it. I can say that I was talking about whether I make it as an
announcement during Parliament. He suggested that I go out and make it a formal
announcement because it is big enough and to not do it in the house. There was
a conversation along those lines, so we set it up to be a formal announcement
outside the house. Parliament was sitting and I remember having a private
conversation with the Premier.
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