Question seeks to determine the level of prior knowledge and involvement of the Premier's office and the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) regarding the EPA's changes to Greenhouse Gas offset requirements. The answer reveals the Premier and his staff were briefed, while a DPC staff member participated in a teleconference.

AnsweredQoN 5265Legislative Assembly
Asked
27 June 2019
Portfolio
Premier; Minister for Public Sector Management; State Development, Jobs and Trade; Federal-State Relations

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the media statement by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) dated 7 March 2019, signalling changes to the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) offset requirements for major projects, and ask: (a) When was the Premier or any of his staff first made aware of the likely position taken by the EPA in respect to these guidelines for GHG offsets; (b) Was the Premier or any of his staff a participant in any EPA briefings to discuss the likely position taken by the EPA on matters related to GHG offset requirements: (i) If so, when were the briefings and who was in attendance; and (c) Was Darren Foster or any DPC staff a participant in any EPA briefings to discuss the likely position taken by the EPA on matters related to GHG offset requirements: (i) If so, when were the briefings and who was in attendance?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
6 August 2019
Response time
1 days
(a) The Premier was first made aware of the position taken by the EPA at the time of the announcement. He received a high level briefing on the Guidelines two weeks prior to the announcement, well before the final position taken was agreed on by the EPA.
(b) The Premier’s Deputy Chief of Staff and the Premier’s Principal Policy adviser were in the high level briefing referred to in part (a).
(c)-(c)(i) No. However, Mr Foster participated in a teleconference initiated by the EPA on 6 March 2019 with the EPA Chairman and Executive Director EPA Services to discuss the new guidance being released on 7 March for the assessment of Greenhouse Gas.

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