❓ A parliamentary question probes the appropriateness of appointing Derek Carew-Hopkins, a critic of the EPA, to a key regional development role, given potential conflicts of interest and a related media controversy. The Minister acknowledges the concerns but avoids direct comment due to the independent appointment process.
AnsweredQoN 522Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DEREK CAREW-HOPKINS
I refer to the article in today’s The West Australian about the minister’s former senior adviser and applicant for the job of Director General of the Department of Regional Development and Lands, Derek Carew-Hopkins. (1) Is the minister aware that Mr Carew-Hopkins has, as part of the recent industry working group process reviewing environmental approval systems in Western Australia, been critical of the current power of the Environmental Protection Authority? I seek leave for a document in support of this proposition to be laid on the table for the duration of today’s sitting. [The paper was tabled for the information of members.] (2) Given the above, and today’s media controversy relating to the Director General of the Department of Environment and Conservation, Keiran McNamara, does the minister consider that it may be inappropriate to appoint Mr Carew-Hopkins to a position that will frequently involve the need for productive interactions with environmental bodies? (3) If no to (2), why not? Mr B.J. GRYLLS
I refer to the article in today’s The West Australian about the minister’s former senior adviser and applicant for the job of Director General of the Department of Regional Development and Lands, Derek Carew-Hopkins. (1) Is the minister aware that Mr Carew-Hopkins has, as part of the recent industry working group process reviewing environmental approval systems in Western Australia, been critical of the current power of the Environmental Protection Authority? I seek leave for a document in support of this proposition to be laid on the table for the duration of today’s sitting. [The paper was tabled for the information of members.] (2) Given the above, and today’s media controversy relating to the Director General of the Department of Environment and Conservation, Keiran McNamara, does the minister consider that it may be inappropriate to appoint Mr Carew-Hopkins to a position that will frequently involve the need for productive interactions with environmental bodies? (3) If no to (2), why not? Mr B.J. GRYLLS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Fremantle for her first question and also for giving me notice of that question before question time. (1) Mr Carew-Hopkins is a member of the industry working group that was set up to advise on ways to improve the state’s exploration and development approvals process. This group, which is looking at getting a better approvals system in Western Australia, is very important to the new state government. I am aware that the working group, as it would have, has discussed the Environmental Protection Authority’s role in the approvals process. In that discussion, Mr Carew-Hopkins may have expressed a view about the EPA’s power. In fact, I know that he has had direct discussions with the Chairman of the EPA, Dr Paul Vogel, about that and about how we can better manage the approvals process in this state. (2)-(3) I am aware that Mr Carew-Hopkins is an applicant for the position of director general of the new Department of Regional Development and Lands. The appointment process for that position is currently in train. I am not involved in that process, which is an independent process managed by the Public Sector Commission. It would not be proper for me to comment on the appropriateness of candidates. However, I put on the record again that Mr Carew-Hopkins acted inappropriately in posting that draft document to the Shire of Shark Bay. He should not have done that. I do not condone that, and I certainly do not support it.
(1) Is the minister aware that Mr Carew-Hopkins has, as part of the recent industry working group process reviewing environmental approval systems in Western Australia, been critical of the current power of the Environmental Protection Authority? I seek leave for a document in support of this proposition to be laid on the table for the duration of today’s sitting. [The paper was tabled for the information of members.] (2) Given the above, and today’s media controversy relating to the Director General of the Department of Environment and Conservation, Keiran McNamara, does the minister consider that it may be inappropriate to appoint Mr Carew-Hopkins to a position that will frequently involve the need for productive interactions with environmental bodies? (3) If no to (2), why not? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for Fremantle for her first question and also for giving me notice of that question before question time. (1) Mr Carew-Hopkins is a member of the industry working group that was set up to advise on ways to improve the state’s exploration and development approvals process. This group, which is looking at getting a better approvals system in Western Australia, is very important to the new state government. I am aware that the working group, as it would have, has discussed the Environmental Protection Authority’s role in the approvals process. In that discussion, Mr Carew-Hopkins may have expressed a view about the EPA’s power. In fact, I know that he has had direct discussions with the Chairman of the EPA, Dr Paul Vogel, about that and about how we can better manage the approvals process in this state. (2)-(3) I am aware that Mr Carew-Hopkins is an applicant for the position of director general of the new Department of Regional Development and Lands. The appointment process for that position is currently in train. I am not involved in that process, which is an independent process managed by the Public Sector Commission. It would not be proper for me to comment on the appropriateness of candidates. However, I put on the record again that Mr Carew-Hopkins acted inappropriately in posting that draft document to the Shire of Shark Bay. He should not have done that. I do not condone that, and I certainly do not support it.
[The paper was tabled for the information of members.] (2) Given the above, and today’s media controversy relating to the Director General of the Department of Environment and Conservation, Keiran McNamara, does the minister consider that it may be inappropriate to appoint Mr Carew-Hopkins to a position that will frequently involve the need for productive interactions with environmental bodies? (3) If no to (2), why not? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for Fremantle for her first question and also for giving me notice of that question before question time. (1) Mr Carew-Hopkins is a member of the industry working group that was set up to advise on ways to improve the state’s exploration and development approvals process. This group, which is looking at getting a better approvals system in Western Australia, is very important to the new state government. I am aware that the working group, as it would have, has discussed the Environmental Protection Authority’s role in the approvals process. In that discussion, Mr Carew-Hopkins may have expressed a view about the EPA’s power. In fact, I know that he has had direct discussions with the Chairman of the EPA, Dr Paul Vogel, about that and about how we can better manage the approvals process in this state. (2)-(3) I am aware that Mr Carew-Hopkins is an applicant for the position of director general of the new Department of Regional Development and Lands. The appointment process for that position is currently in train. I am not involved in that process, which is an independent process managed by the Public Sector Commission. It would not be proper for me to comment on the appropriateness of candidates. However, I put on the record again that Mr Carew-Hopkins acted inappropriately in posting that draft document to the Shire of Shark Bay. He should not have done that. I do not condone that, and I certainly do not support it.
(2) Given the above, and today’s media controversy relating to the Director General of the Department of Environment and Conservation, Keiran McNamara, does the minister consider that it may be inappropriate to appoint Mr Carew-Hopkins to a position that will frequently involve the need for productive interactions with environmental bodies? (3) If no to (2), why not? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for Fremantle for her first question and also for giving me notice of that question before question time. (1) Mr Carew-Hopkins is a member of the industry working group that was set up to advise on ways to improve the state’s exploration and development approvals process. This group, which is looking at getting a better approvals system in Western Australia, is very important to the new state government. I am aware that the working group, as it would have, has discussed the Environmental Protection Authority’s role in the approvals process. In that discussion, Mr Carew-Hopkins may have expressed a view about the EPA’s power. In fact, I know that he has had direct discussions with the Chairman of the EPA, Dr Paul Vogel, about that and about how we can better manage the approvals process in this state. (2)-(3) I am aware that Mr Carew-Hopkins is an applicant for the position of director general of the new Department of Regional Development and Lands. The appointment process for that position is currently in train. I am not involved in that process, which is an independent process managed by the Public Sector Commission. It would not be proper for me to comment on the appropriateness of candidates. However, I put on the record again that Mr Carew-Hopkins acted inappropriately in posting that draft document to the Shire of Shark Bay. He should not have done that. I do not condone that, and I certainly do not support it.
(3) If no to (2), why not? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for Fremantle for her first question and also for giving me notice of that question before question time. (1) Mr Carew-Hopkins is a member of the industry working group that was set up to advise on ways to improve the state’s exploration and development approvals process. This group, which is looking at getting a better approvals system in Western Australia, is very important to the new state government. I am aware that the working group, as it would have, has discussed the Environmental Protection Authority’s role in the approvals process. In that discussion, Mr Carew-Hopkins may have expressed a view about the EPA’s power. In fact, I know that he has had direct discussions with the Chairman of the EPA, Dr Paul Vogel, about that and about how we can better manage the approvals process in this state. (2)-(3) I am aware that Mr Carew-Hopkins is an applicant for the position of director general of the new Department of Regional Development and Lands. The appointment process for that position is currently in train. I am not involved in that process, which is an independent process managed by the Public Sector Commission. It would not be proper for me to comment on the appropriateness of candidates. However, I put on the record again that Mr Carew-Hopkins acted inappropriately in posting that draft document to the Shire of Shark Bay. He should not have done that. I do not condone that, and I certainly do not support it.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for Fremantle for her first question and also for giving me notice of that question before question time. (1) Mr Carew-Hopkins is a member of the industry working group that was set up to advise on ways to improve the state’s exploration and development approvals process. This group, which is looking at getting a better approvals system in Western Australia, is very important to the new state government. I am aware that the working group, as it would have, has discussed the Environmental Protection Authority’s role in the approvals process. In that discussion, Mr Carew-Hopkins may have expressed a view about the EPA’s power. In fact, I know that he has had direct discussions with the Chairman of the EPA, Dr Paul Vogel, about that and about how we can better manage the approvals process in this state. (2)-(3) I am aware that Mr Carew-Hopkins is an applicant for the position of director general of the new Department of Regional Development and Lands. The appointment process for that position is currently in train. I am not involved in that process, which is an independent process managed by the Public Sector Commission. It would not be proper for me to comment on the appropriateness of candidates. However, I put on the record again that Mr Carew-Hopkins acted inappropriately in posting that draft document to the Shire of Shark Bay. He should not have done that. I do not condone that, and I certainly do not support it.
I thank the member for Fremantle for her first question and also for giving me notice of that question before question time. (1) Mr Carew-Hopkins is a member of the industry working group that was set up to advise on ways to improve the state’s exploration and development approvals process. This group, which is looking at getting a better approvals system in Western Australia, is very important to the new state government. I am aware that the working group, as it would have, has discussed the Environmental Protection Authority’s role in the approvals process. In that discussion, Mr Carew-Hopkins may have expressed a view about the EPA’s power. In fact, I know that he has had direct discussions with the Chairman of the EPA, Dr Paul Vogel, about that and about how we can better manage the approvals process in this state. (2)-(3) I am aware that Mr Carew-Hopkins is an applicant for the position of director general of the new Department of Regional Development and Lands. The appointment process for that position is currently in train. I am not involved in that process, which is an independent process managed by the Public Sector Commission. It would not be proper for me to comment on the appropriateness of candidates. However, I put on the record again that Mr Carew-Hopkins acted inappropriately in posting that draft document to the Shire of Shark Bay. He should not have done that. I do not condone that, and I certainly do not support it.
(1) Mr Carew-Hopkins is a member of the industry working group that was set up to advise on ways to improve the state’s exploration and development approvals process. This group, which is looking at getting a better approvals system in Western Australia, is very important to the new state government. I am aware that the working group, as it would have, has discussed the Environmental Protection Authority’s role in the approvals process. In that discussion, Mr Carew-Hopkins may have expressed a view about the EPA’s power. In fact, I know that he has had direct discussions with the Chairman of the EPA, Dr Paul Vogel, about that and about how we can better manage the approvals process in this state. (2)-(3) I am aware that Mr Carew-Hopkins is an applicant for the position of director general of the new Department of Regional Development and Lands. The appointment process for that position is currently in train. I am not involved in that process, which is an independent process managed by the Public Sector Commission. It would not be proper for me to comment on the appropriateness of candidates. However, I put on the record again that Mr Carew-Hopkins acted inappropriately in posting that draft document to the Shire of Shark Bay. He should not have done that. I do not condone that, and I certainly do not support it.
(2)-(3) I am aware that Mr Carew-Hopkins is an applicant for the position of director general of the new Department of Regional Development and Lands. The appointment process for that position is currently in train. I am not involved in that process, which is an independent process managed by the Public Sector Commission. It would not be proper for me to comment on the appropriateness of candidates. However, I put on the record again that Mr Carew-Hopkins acted inappropriately in posting that draft document to the Shire of Shark Bay. He should not have done that. I do not condone that, and I certainly do not support it.
(1) Is the minister aware that Mr Carew-Hopkins has, as part of the recent industry working group process reviewing environmental approval systems in Western Australia, been critical of the current power of the Environmental Protection Authority? I seek leave for a document in support of this proposition to be laid on the table for the duration of today’s sitting. [The paper was tabled for the information of members.] (2) Given the above, and today’s media controversy relating to the Director General of the Department of Environment and Conservation, Keiran McNamara, does the minister consider that it may be inappropriate to appoint Mr Carew-Hopkins to a position that will frequently involve the need for productive interactions with environmental bodies? (3) If no to (2), why not? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for Fremantle for her first question and also for giving me notice of that question before question time. (1) Mr Carew-Hopkins is a member of the industry working group that was set up to advise on ways to improve the state’s exploration and development approvals process. This group, which is looking at getting a better approvals system in Western Australia, is very important to the new state government. I am aware that the working group, as it would have, has discussed the Environmental Protection Authority’s role in the approvals process. In that discussion, Mr Carew-Hopkins may have expressed a view about the EPA’s power. In fact, I know that he has had direct discussions with the Chairman of the EPA, Dr Paul Vogel, about that and about how we can better manage the approvals process in this state. (2)-(3) I am aware that Mr Carew-Hopkins is an applicant for the position of director general of the new Department of Regional Development and Lands. The appointment process for that position is currently in train. I am not involved in that process, which is an independent process managed by the Public Sector Commission. It would not be proper for me to comment on the appropriateness of candidates. However, I put on the record again that Mr Carew-Hopkins acted inappropriately in posting that draft document to the Shire of Shark Bay. He should not have done that. I do not condone that, and I certainly do not support it.
[The paper was tabled for the information of members.] (2) Given the above, and today’s media controversy relating to the Director General of the Department of Environment and Conservation, Keiran McNamara, does the minister consider that it may be inappropriate to appoint Mr Carew-Hopkins to a position that will frequently involve the need for productive interactions with environmental bodies? (3) If no to (2), why not? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for Fremantle for her first question and also for giving me notice of that question before question time. (1) Mr Carew-Hopkins is a member of the industry working group that was set up to advise on ways to improve the state’s exploration and development approvals process. This group, which is looking at getting a better approvals system in Western Australia, is very important to the new state government. I am aware that the working group, as it would have, has discussed the Environmental Protection Authority’s role in the approvals process. In that discussion, Mr Carew-Hopkins may have expressed a view about the EPA’s power. In fact, I know that he has had direct discussions with the Chairman of the EPA, Dr Paul Vogel, about that and about how we can better manage the approvals process in this state. (2)-(3) I am aware that Mr Carew-Hopkins is an applicant for the position of director general of the new Department of Regional Development and Lands. The appointment process for that position is currently in train. I am not involved in that process, which is an independent process managed by the Public Sector Commission. It would not be proper for me to comment on the appropriateness of candidates. However, I put on the record again that Mr Carew-Hopkins acted inappropriately in posting that draft document to the Shire of Shark Bay. He should not have done that. I do not condone that, and I certainly do not support it.
(2) Given the above, and today’s media controversy relating to the Director General of the Department of Environment and Conservation, Keiran McNamara, does the minister consider that it may be inappropriate to appoint Mr Carew-Hopkins to a position that will frequently involve the need for productive interactions with environmental bodies? (3) If no to (2), why not? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for Fremantle for her first question and also for giving me notice of that question before question time. (1) Mr Carew-Hopkins is a member of the industry working group that was set up to advise on ways to improve the state’s exploration and development approvals process. This group, which is looking at getting a better approvals system in Western Australia, is very important to the new state government. I am aware that the working group, as it would have, has discussed the Environmental Protection Authority’s role in the approvals process. In that discussion, Mr Carew-Hopkins may have expressed a view about the EPA’s power. In fact, I know that he has had direct discussions with the Chairman of the EPA, Dr Paul Vogel, about that and about how we can better manage the approvals process in this state. (2)-(3) I am aware that Mr Carew-Hopkins is an applicant for the position of director general of the new Department of Regional Development and Lands. The appointment process for that position is currently in train. I am not involved in that process, which is an independent process managed by the Public Sector Commission. It would not be proper for me to comment on the appropriateness of candidates. However, I put on the record again that Mr Carew-Hopkins acted inappropriately in posting that draft document to the Shire of Shark Bay. He should not have done that. I do not condone that, and I certainly do not support it.
(3) If no to (2), why not? Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for Fremantle for her first question and also for giving me notice of that question before question time. (1) Mr Carew-Hopkins is a member of the industry working group that was set up to advise on ways to improve the state’s exploration and development approvals process. This group, which is looking at getting a better approvals system in Western Australia, is very important to the new state government. I am aware that the working group, as it would have, has discussed the Environmental Protection Authority’s role in the approvals process. In that discussion, Mr Carew-Hopkins may have expressed a view about the EPA’s power. In fact, I know that he has had direct discussions with the Chairman of the EPA, Dr Paul Vogel, about that and about how we can better manage the approvals process in this state. (2)-(3) I am aware that Mr Carew-Hopkins is an applicant for the position of director general of the new Department of Regional Development and Lands. The appointment process for that position is currently in train. I am not involved in that process, which is an independent process managed by the Public Sector Commission. It would not be proper for me to comment on the appropriateness of candidates. However, I put on the record again that Mr Carew-Hopkins acted inappropriately in posting that draft document to the Shire of Shark Bay. He should not have done that. I do not condone that, and I certainly do not support it.
Mr B.J. GRYLLS replied: I thank the member for Fremantle for her first question and also for giving me notice of that question before question time. (1) Mr Carew-Hopkins is a member of the industry working group that was set up to advise on ways to improve the state’s exploration and development approvals process. This group, which is looking at getting a better approvals system in Western Australia, is very important to the new state government. I am aware that the working group, as it would have, has discussed the Environmental Protection Authority’s role in the approvals process. In that discussion, Mr Carew-Hopkins may have expressed a view about the EPA’s power. In fact, I know that he has had direct discussions with the Chairman of the EPA, Dr Paul Vogel, about that and about how we can better manage the approvals process in this state. (2)-(3) I am aware that Mr Carew-Hopkins is an applicant for the position of director general of the new Department of Regional Development and Lands. The appointment process for that position is currently in train. I am not involved in that process, which is an independent process managed by the Public Sector Commission. It would not be proper for me to comment on the appropriateness of candidates. However, I put on the record again that Mr Carew-Hopkins acted inappropriately in posting that draft document to the Shire of Shark Bay. He should not have done that. I do not condone that, and I certainly do not support it.
I thank the member for Fremantle for her first question and also for giving me notice of that question before question time. (1) Mr Carew-Hopkins is a member of the industry working group that was set up to advise on ways to improve the state’s exploration and development approvals process. This group, which is looking at getting a better approvals system in Western Australia, is very important to the new state government. I am aware that the working group, as it would have, has discussed the Environmental Protection Authority’s role in the approvals process. In that discussion, Mr Carew-Hopkins may have expressed a view about the EPA’s power. In fact, I know that he has had direct discussions with the Chairman of the EPA, Dr Paul Vogel, about that and about how we can better manage the approvals process in this state. (2)-(3) I am aware that Mr Carew-Hopkins is an applicant for the position of director general of the new Department of Regional Development and Lands. The appointment process for that position is currently in train. I am not involved in that process, which is an independent process managed by the Public Sector Commission. It would not be proper for me to comment on the appropriateness of candidates. However, I put on the record again that Mr Carew-Hopkins acted inappropriately in posting that draft document to the Shire of Shark Bay. He should not have done that. I do not condone that, and I certainly do not support it.
(1) Mr Carew-Hopkins is a member of the industry working group that was set up to advise on ways to improve the state’s exploration and development approvals process. This group, which is looking at getting a better approvals system in Western Australia, is very important to the new state government. I am aware that the working group, as it would have, has discussed the Environmental Protection Authority’s role in the approvals process. In that discussion, Mr Carew-Hopkins may have expressed a view about the EPA’s power. In fact, I know that he has had direct discussions with the Chairman of the EPA, Dr Paul Vogel, about that and about how we can better manage the approvals process in this state. (2)-(3) I am aware that Mr Carew-Hopkins is an applicant for the position of director general of the new Department of Regional Development and Lands. The appointment process for that position is currently in train. I am not involved in that process, which is an independent process managed by the Public Sector Commission. It would not be proper for me to comment on the appropriateness of candidates. However, I put on the record again that Mr Carew-Hopkins acted inappropriately in posting that draft document to the Shire of Shark Bay. He should not have done that. I do not condone that, and I certainly do not support it.
(2)-(3) I am aware that Mr Carew-Hopkins is an applicant for the position of director general of the new Department of Regional Development and Lands. The appointment process for that position is currently in train. I am not involved in that process, which is an independent process managed by the Public Sector Commission. It would not be proper for me to comment on the appropriateness of candidates. However, I put on the record again that Mr Carew-Hopkins acted inappropriately in posting that draft document to the Shire of Shark Bay. He should not have done that. I do not condone that, and I certainly do not support it.
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