❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks details on government spending on consultants regarding Griffin Coal and Collie coal mining, including the purpose, differences, and impact of their advice. The government provides answers, citing commercial confidentiality for some details.
AnsweredQoN 1624Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Reports on Consultants Engaged by Government from the period ending 31 December 2022 to 30 June 2024 confirm the following payments for consultancies relating to Griffin Coal and Collie coal mining. Can the Minister advise: (a) What the $494,533 paid to Sternship Advisers on advice regarding Griffin Coal was for; (b) How is this different to the $558,321 paid under the Treasure’s portfolio to Adastra for advice on Griffin Coal; (c) Were both sets of information considered jointly by Government; (d) Did the advice from the two separate consultancies differ: (i) If so, how; (e) Did Sternship Advisers and Adastra consult each other with respect to advice given to Government: (i) If not, why not; and (ii) If so, why was there a need for two separate consultancies; (f) Are further payments to Sternship Advisers expected by Government for advice on Griffin Coal; (g) Has the advice provided by Sternship Advisers shaped the Government’s policy with respect to Griffin Coal: (i) If so, in what way; and (ii) If not, what was the purpose of the consultancy; (h) How is the $494,533 paid to Sternship Advisers different to the $538,161 paid to Preston Consulting for advice on Collie coal mining; (i) Were there any points of intersection between the work undertaken by Sternship Advisers and Preston Consulting : (i) If so, what were they; (j) Whether Sternship Advisers and Preston Consulting provided the Government with a draft or final report: (i) If so, when; (ii) Can this report be tabled; and (iii) If not, why not; (k) Did Sternship Advisors and Preston Consulting engage in any consultation processes: (i) If so, when and with who; and (ii) If not, why not; (l) How many times did Sternship Advisers and Preston Consulting meet with Government to share their views: (i) When and with who; and (ii) If not, why not; (m) What specifically was the $10,890 paid to Emergination for: (i) Can the survey undertaken by Emergination be tabled; (ii) When was it undertaken; (iii) Who in general terms was surveyed; and (iv) What were the outcomes; (n) What specifically was $98,395 paid to Urbis Ltd for: (i) Can the work undertaken by Urbis Ltd be tabled; (ii) Who did Urbis consult; (iii) What did Urbis recommend; (iv) What has been the outcome of the work undertaken by Urbis; and (v) What are the actual and expected costs of implementing Urbis’ recommendations; and (o) What specifically was the $16,020 paid to FORM for: (i) Can the work undertaken by FORM be tabled; (ii) What were the recommendations from FORM; (iii) Has the Government implemented the recommendations from FORM; (iv) If so, when and at what cost; (v) If not as yet, are they planned to be implemented and at what proposed cost; and (vi) If not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 February 2026
Responded by
Minister for State Development
Response time
1 days
a. Sternship Advisers provided a commercial facilitation service and strategic advice to the Government regarding the coal industry.
b. Ad Astra Corporate Advisory provided advice to the Government related to Griffin Coal’s commercial agreements with its customers. It was provided at a different time to the advice from Sternship Advisers, reflecting the circumstances at the time.
c. They were considered separately, at the times they were provided.
d. Yes.
i. They were provided at different times, reflecting the circumstances at the time.
e. Yes. Ad Astra consulted with Sternship Advisers as part of the transition from Sternship Advisers to Ad Astra as the State’s principal commercial adviser.
i. Not applicable.
ii. Refer to the responses to question a) and b) which distinguish between the services provided to Government by Sternship Advisers and Ad Astra.
f. No.
g. Yes.
i. Sternship Advisers assisted the Government by providing strategic advice on the coal industry.
ii. Not applicable.
h. Sternship Advisers provided strategic advice to the Government regarding the coal industry, including Griffin Coal. Preston Consulting provided advice to the Government on rehabilitation at the Griffin mine site.
i. No.
i. Not applicable.
j. Yes.
i. Sternship Advisers prepared reports to Government on commercial matters and Preston Consulting prepared reports to Government on rehabilitation, during their periods of engagement.
ii. No.
iii. The details of these reports are confidential and commercial-in-confidence.
k. Yes.
i. Sternship Advisers engaged in consultation processes during the period of its engagement, including consultations with government agencies, industry and union stakeholders. Preston Consulting consulted with government agencies during the period of its engagement. These consultations were confidential and commercially sensitive.
ii. Not applicable.
l. Sternship Advisers and Preston Consulting met with Government on numerous occasions during the periods of their engagement.
i. These discussions were confidential and commercially sensitive.
ii. Not applicable.
m. Emergination surveyed Collie-based coal industry employees to assist in planning for the energy related workforce in Collie.
i. No.
ii. 2023.
iii. The survey was optional and targeted the Collie coal mining and coal-fired energy workforce.
iv. Results were presented to the Just Transition Working Group and also considered in the development of the workforce supports delivered as part of the transition program.
n. Urbis was commissioned to undertake a study on housing and accommodation in Collie.
i. Yes.
ii. Urbis consulted with Government and non-Government stakeholders, including:
· Collie Hills;
· Collie Ridge Resort;
· Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA);
· Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (now DMPE);
· Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (now DEED);
· DevelopmentWA;
· Magnium;
· Shire of Collie;
· South West Development Commission (SWDC); and
· Synergy.
iii. The report did not include recommendations, as its intended purpose was to gain a clear understanding of the housing and accommodation environment in Collie, the drivers and the response options.
iv. The report has been used to inform planning by Government agencies, the Collie Shire and major companies looking to establish in Collie by providing them with information about housing and accommodation needs in the town.
v. The report has informed the implementation of existing policy and program development and implementation. No additional funding has been allocated to implement Urbis’ recommendations.
o. FORM undertook a study that considered options for art/tourist installation attractions in Collie.
i. No.
ii. FORM recommended delaying delivery, or choosing an alternative installation and location,
iii. The Government made a decision, based on the recommendation of FORM, not to proceed with the proposed artwork at that time.
iv-vi. Not applicable
b. Ad Astra Corporate Advisory provided advice to the Government related to Griffin Coal’s commercial agreements with its customers. It was provided at a different time to the advice from Sternship Advisers, reflecting the circumstances at the time.
c. They were considered separately, at the times they were provided.
d. Yes.
i. They were provided at different times, reflecting the circumstances at the time.
e. Yes. Ad Astra consulted with Sternship Advisers as part of the transition from Sternship Advisers to Ad Astra as the State’s principal commercial adviser.
i. Not applicable.
ii. Refer to the responses to question a) and b) which distinguish between the services provided to Government by Sternship Advisers and Ad Astra.
f. No.
g. Yes.
i. Sternship Advisers assisted the Government by providing strategic advice on the coal industry.
ii. Not applicable.
h. Sternship Advisers provided strategic advice to the Government regarding the coal industry, including Griffin Coal. Preston Consulting provided advice to the Government on rehabilitation at the Griffin mine site.
i. No.
i. Not applicable.
j. Yes.
i. Sternship Advisers prepared reports to Government on commercial matters and Preston Consulting prepared reports to Government on rehabilitation, during their periods of engagement.
ii. No.
iii. The details of these reports are confidential and commercial-in-confidence.
k. Yes.
i. Sternship Advisers engaged in consultation processes during the period of its engagement, including consultations with government agencies, industry and union stakeholders. Preston Consulting consulted with government agencies during the period of its engagement. These consultations were confidential and commercially sensitive.
ii. Not applicable.
l. Sternship Advisers and Preston Consulting met with Government on numerous occasions during the periods of their engagement.
i. These discussions were confidential and commercially sensitive.
ii. Not applicable.
m. Emergination surveyed Collie-based coal industry employees to assist in planning for the energy related workforce in Collie.
i. No.
ii. 2023.
iii. The survey was optional and targeted the Collie coal mining and coal-fired energy workforce.
iv. Results were presented to the Just Transition Working Group and also considered in the development of the workforce supports delivered as part of the transition program.
n. Urbis was commissioned to undertake a study on housing and accommodation in Collie.
i. Yes.
ii. Urbis consulted with Government and non-Government stakeholders, including:
· Collie Hills;
· Collie Ridge Resort;
· Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA);
· Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (now DMPE);
· Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (now DEED);
· DevelopmentWA;
· Magnium;
· Shire of Collie;
· South West Development Commission (SWDC); and
· Synergy.
iii. The report did not include recommendations, as its intended purpose was to gain a clear understanding of the housing and accommodation environment in Collie, the drivers and the response options.
iv. The report has been used to inform planning by Government agencies, the Collie Shire and major companies looking to establish in Collie by providing them with information about housing and accommodation needs in the town.
v. The report has informed the implementation of existing policy and program development and implementation. No additional funding has been allocated to implement Urbis’ recommendations.
o. FORM undertook a study that considered options for art/tourist installation attractions in Collie.
i. No.
ii. FORM recommended delaying delivery, or choosing an alternative installation and location,
iii. The Government made a decision, based on the recommendation of FORM, not to proceed with the proposed artwork at that time.
iv-vi. Not applicable
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