❓ Opposition questions the government's $206 million Metronet contract with Huawei, citing US charges against the company. The Premier defends the contract, highlighting federal government advice and ongoing review, while also attacking the opposition's record.
AnsweredQoN 18Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS —
HUAWEI
18. Dr M.D. NAHAN to the Premier:
Why is the government partnering
with Huawei on a $206 million Metronet contract when Huawei is facing charges
in the United States of bank fraud, wire fraud, intellectual property theft,
obstruction of justice —
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER : Minister!
Dr M.D. NAHAN : — and
the undermining of international sanctions against Iran, which is a known state
sponsor of terrorism?
HUAWEI
18. Dr M.D. NAHAN to the Premier:
Why is the government partnering
with Huawei on a $206 million Metronet contract when Huawei is facing charges
in the United States of bank fraud, wire fraud, intellectual property theft,
obstruction of justice —
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER : Minister!
Dr M.D. NAHAN : — and
the undermining of international sanctions against Iran, which is a known state
sponsor of terrorism?
AnswerView source ↗
As I explained yesterday, the
government entered into a contractual arrangement with that company, which is a
joint venture with UGL which largely operates out of Australia, to provide
radio services between train drivers and headquarters. We got advice from the
federal government on whether there were any security problems with that and
the advice came back that there were not. Since then, some issues have arisen
in the United States of America. The Minister for Transport is getting advice
on whether that impacts the ability of Huawei to deliver the contract or
otherwise. On the broader point, I know that a range of businesses have a range
of issues that occur from time to time. Last week, the report of the banking
royal commission was handed down, and a whole bunch of people resigned as a consequence
of some of the issues that arose from the banking royal commission.
Mr D.C. Nalder : Are you
resigning over this?
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr M. McGOWAN : The person
interjecting now is a former senior executive of one of those banks. He is one
of the opposition's frontbenchers. Maybe you interjected at the wrong
time, my friend! Maybe you drew attention to yourself at the wrong time!
Mr D.C. Nalder interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Bateman!
Mr M. McGOWAN : I note that a range
of banks have had a range of issues arise in the time since arrangements were
entered into with those banks. Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that
the state government of Western Australia
have no dealings with the Commonwealth Bank, NAB or any of those banks? Is that
what he is suggesting? I also note that a company with which the Liberal
government entered into an arrangement—John Holland—has
had some investigations put in place by the World Bank in relation to some of
its activities. The former government signed a contract with John Holland and
then varied it hundreds, if not thousands, of times. It is a disastrous
arrangement.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a disastrous
arrangement that the former government bound the state to. I would not come in
here with a senior bank executive sitting next to me. Who knows what he got up
to? Did the royal commission question the member for Bateman? Perhaps it should
have done. I think the royal commission should reconvene and question the
member for Bateman about some of his behaviour.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr M. McGOWAN : There are
businesses out there that have issues from time to time.
Mr D.C. Nalder interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Bateman!
Mr M. McGOWAN : We know that.
We are getting advice on whether there are any difficulties with Huawei
delivering its obligations under the contract.
government entered into a contractual arrangement with that company, which is a
joint venture with UGL which largely operates out of Australia, to provide
radio services between train drivers and headquarters. We got advice from the
federal government on whether there were any security problems with that and
the advice came back that there were not. Since then, some issues have arisen
in the United States of America. The Minister for Transport is getting advice
on whether that impacts the ability of Huawei to deliver the contract or
otherwise. On the broader point, I know that a range of businesses have a range
of issues that occur from time to time. Last week, the report of the banking
royal commission was handed down, and a whole bunch of people resigned as a consequence
of some of the issues that arose from the banking royal commission.
Mr D.C. Nalder : Are you
resigning over this?
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr M. McGOWAN : The person
interjecting now is a former senior executive of one of those banks. He is one
of the opposition's frontbenchers. Maybe you interjected at the wrong
time, my friend! Maybe you drew attention to yourself at the wrong time!
Mr D.C. Nalder interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Bateman!
Mr M. McGOWAN : I note that a range
of banks have had a range of issues arise in the time since arrangements were
entered into with those banks. Is the Leader of the Opposition suggesting that
the state government of Western Australia
have no dealings with the Commonwealth Bank, NAB or any of those banks? Is that
what he is suggesting? I also note that a company with which the Liberal
government entered into an arrangement—John Holland—has
had some investigations put in place by the World Bank in relation to some of
its activities. The former government signed a contract with John Holland and
then varied it hundreds, if not thousands, of times. It is a disastrous
arrangement.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr M. McGOWAN : It is a disastrous
arrangement that the former government bound the state to. I would not come in
here with a senior bank executive sitting next to me. Who knows what he got up
to? Did the royal commission question the member for Bateman? Perhaps it should
have done. I think the royal commission should reconvene and question the
member for Bateman about some of his behaviour.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr M. McGOWAN : There are
businesses out there that have issues from time to time.
Mr D.C. Nalder interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Bateman!
Mr M. McGOWAN : We know that.
We are getting advice on whether there are any difficulties with Huawei
delivering its obligations under the contract.
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