❓ A WA parliamentary question probes potential conflicts of interest within the EPA regarding the approval of Toro Energy's Wiluna uranium mine. The Minister confirms no pecuniary interests were disclosed and clarifies the attendance of one EPA member at a Toro Energy function.
AnsweredQoN 281Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
In regard to the Environmental Protection Authority's (EPA) decision to recommend approval of Toro Energy’s proposed uranium mine at Wiluna on 21 May 2012, I ask: (a) what, if any, conflicts of interest were there on the part of EPA decision-makers with regards to Toro Energy: (i) will the Minister table this information and if not, why not; (b) what, if any, conflicts of interest were there on the part of EPA decision makers and Toro's major shareholders: (i) will the Minister table this information and if not, why not; (c) were there any interests in common identified between the Directors of EPA and the Directors of Toro via other companies (please see http://www.robinchapple.com/sites/default/files/QON%20Toro%20Energy%20Limited%20ID%20&%20Summary_1.pdf ). Please provide details; and (d) is the Minister aware of the Sunday Times article, dated 25 August 2013, in which it was reported that two members of the EPA attended the Toro Energy Christmas function soon after recommending that Toro's Wiluna be approved: (i) will the Minister please provide the names of these people and if not, why not; and (ii) will the Minister please clarify the status of their attendance and if not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 October 2013
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Environment
Response time
35 days
(a) No EPA members disclosed any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in matters relating to its assessment of the proposed Toro Energy uranium mine in Wiluna.
(i) Not applicable.
(b) Please see (a) above.
(i) Not applicable.
(c) Please see (a) above.
(d) Yes.
(i) Yes.
(ii) Only one member of the EPA attended the Toro Energy Christmas function; Dr Paul Vogel, in his capacity as Chairman of the EPA.
(i) Not applicable.
(b) Please see (a) above.
(i) Not applicable.
(c) Please see (a) above.
(d) Yes.
(i) Yes.
(ii) Only one member of the EPA attended the Toro Energy Christmas function; Dr Paul Vogel, in his capacity as Chairman of the EPA.
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