Mr. Wyatt questions whether the WA government is supporting Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) through delayed royalty payments. The Premier acknowledges potential consideration of royalty relief requests based on precedent, without confirming FMG's specific situation.

AnsweredQoN 639Legislative Assembly
Asked
24 October 2012
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

FORTESCUE METALS GROUP — ROYALTIES PAYMENT
639. Mr B.S. WYATT to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. Will the people of Western
Australia be supporting FMG through delayed royalty payments?

AnswerView source ↗

It is no secret that a number of companies were hit by the
very sharp fall in iron ore prices, and there has been a lot of commentary in
the financial media about that. If a company were to come to the government and
seek some sort of relief, the government would consider that on merit. It is
not without precedent. Assistance has been given in previous years —
Mr B.S. Wyatt : So,
yes.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : —
to Argyle, also to the mineral sands industry, and also to the alumina industry
at one stage, from memory.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Was
that because of cash flow problems for Rio Tinto?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
As I said, I am not going to comment on the financial position of a publicly
listed company. If a company makes a request, the government has a
responsibility to consider that.

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