❓ Ms Davies questions the Premier about the Planning Minister's decision to call in the Bay Village FIFO camp appeal, given his previous stance on non-intervention. The Premier defends the Minister's actions, citing the importance of Browse gas processing in Karratha and the council's failure to reach an agreement with Woodside.
AnsweredQoN 992Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BAY VILLAGE WORKER CAMP —
WOODSIDE ENERGY —JOINT DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT PANEL DECISION
992. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Premier:
I
refer to the Premier's answer in question time on 9 October, in which
he stated that his government would not intervene in the appeal process for the
Bay Village FIFO camp in Karratha, because it would be ''verging on
improper''.
Is the Premier aware that his
Minister for Planning has used her powers under the Planning and Development
Act to call in the appeal currently before the independent State Administrative
Tribunal; and, if so, what role, if any, did the Premier or his office play in
this decision?
WOODSIDE ENERGY —JOINT DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT PANEL DECISION
992. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Premier:
I
refer to the Premier's answer in question time on 9 October, in which
he stated that his government would not intervene in the appeal process for the
Bay Village FIFO camp in Karratha, because it would be ''verging on
improper''.
Is the Premier aware that his
Minister for Planning has used her powers under the Planning and Development
Act to call in the appeal currently before the independent State Administrative
Tribunal; and, if so, what role, if any, did the Premier or his office play in
this decision?
AnswerView source ↗
I totally support the minister's
decision.
Ms M.J. Davies : It is not
improper?
Mr M. McGOWAN : The Leader of
the Nationals WA asked the question. I discussed it with the minister; I totally
support her decision.
Mr R.S. Love interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Moore!
Mr
M. McGOWAN : The minister acted in
accordance with the law. Her powers as Minister for Planning allow her to do
this. She waited until the last moment. I met with the council on the day that
I opened Karratha Health Campus. I said to the council that it needs to
reach an agreement with Woodside because we need to ensure that Browse gas is
processed in Karratha. I explained that to Chris Adams and the deputy mayor. I explained
it to them in person, with other people present. The process went along and the
council did not reach an agreement with Woodside, despite the fact that
Woodside compromised very significantly along the way and came up with what I thought
were some pretty reasonable compromises to meet the council's demands.
The minister, in accordance with her powers under the act, called it in. Out of
politeness, the minister's office called the council to inform it. The
chief executive officer of that council then verbally abused and swore at staff
members in the minister's office in the most profane of ways—in
a disgraceful manner.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr M. McGOWAN : The minister
and her office were polite, and providing timely advice to the council about
what was occurring resulted in that outcome by that chief executive officer.
When I was advised of what he had to say to a ministerial staffer, I thought it
was quite disgraceful.
decision.
Ms M.J. Davies : It is not
improper?
Mr M. McGOWAN : The Leader of
the Nationals WA asked the question. I discussed it with the minister; I totally
support her decision.
Mr R.S. Love interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Moore!
Mr
M. McGOWAN : The minister acted in
accordance with the law. Her powers as Minister for Planning allow her to do
this. She waited until the last moment. I met with the council on the day that
I opened Karratha Health Campus. I said to the council that it needs to
reach an agreement with Woodside because we need to ensure that Browse gas is
processed in Karratha. I explained that to Chris Adams and the deputy mayor. I explained
it to them in person, with other people present. The process went along and the
council did not reach an agreement with Woodside, despite the fact that
Woodside compromised very significantly along the way and came up with what I thought
were some pretty reasonable compromises to meet the council's demands.
The minister, in accordance with her powers under the act, called it in. Out of
politeness, the minister's office called the council to inform it. The
chief executive officer of that council then verbally abused and swore at staff
members in the minister's office in the most profane of ways—in
a disgraceful manner.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr M. McGOWAN : The minister
and her office were polite, and providing timely advice to the council about
what was occurring resulted in that outcome by that chief executive officer.
When I was advised of what he had to say to a ministerial staffer, I thought it
was quite disgraceful.
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