❓ Dr. Honey questions the government's $220 million grant to Griffin Coal, seeking details on advice received and the intended use of revenue. The Minister defends the grant as necessary for energy security during the transition to renewable energy, blaming inherited contracts for the current situation.
AnsweredQoN 345Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
GRIFFIN COAL
345. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Minister for State and Industry
Development, Jobs and Trade:
I refer to the government's
$220 million grant to Griffin Coal Mining Company.
(1) Was the
government advised by government officials to provide Griffin Coal with a $220 million
grant; and, if not, who advised the government?
(2) Will the Premier agree to table
the advice from officials; and, if not, why not?
(3) As the
government's grant would likely cover most of Griffin Coal's
mining costs, what does the government expect the company to do with the
revenue it receives from its coal buying customers?
345. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Minister for State and Industry
Development, Jobs and Trade:
I refer to the government's
$220 million grant to Griffin Coal Mining Company.
(1) Was the
government advised by government officials to provide Griffin Coal with a $220 million
grant; and, if not, who advised the government?
(2) Will the Premier agree to table
the advice from officials; and, if not, why not?
(3) As the
government's grant would likely cover most of Griffin Coal's
mining costs, what does the government expect the company to do with the
revenue it receives from its coal buying customers?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) On that last point, I think that is entirely up to
the individuals and companies involved. I think the opposition, or the
Liberal Party's, solution is that we turn the lights off and plunge Western
Australia into darkness because of the
arrangements that we inherited in relation to the Griffin Coal contract with
Bluewaters Power . We are trying to unpick the unholy mess this is,
because we believe Western Australians should be able to have the energy
security they deserve. Obviously, our commitment is to shut down all coal-fired
power stations by 2030. The problem is that until then, we need them to go flat
out. We need them to mine coal and we need them to generate power. We are
resolute in our commitment to make sure that we shut down coal-fired power
stations as part of our efforts as a government to reduce emissions and respond
to the climate crisis. We will continue to
make sure that we work with all our industry partners to ensure that we do just that: secure Western Australia's energy security, make sure
that we transition to renewable and gas
sources of power, and, of course, provide investments for the south west
interconnected system to ensure that we can electrify and decarbonise
our entire south west region. This is tough work and it is difficult, because
obviously we have private interests, historical and legacy contracts, and a range
of relationships and business relationships that we essentially inherited. We
remain resolute to ensure that we resolve the issues between Griffin Coal and
Bluewaters power station, so we can ensure that we keep the lights on and enter
on a positive and deliberate pathway of the energy transition.
the individuals and companies involved. I think the opposition, or the
Liberal Party's, solution is that we turn the lights off and plunge Western
Australia into darkness because of the
arrangements that we inherited in relation to the Griffin Coal contract with
Bluewaters Power . We are trying to unpick the unholy mess this is,
because we believe Western Australians should be able to have the energy
security they deserve. Obviously, our commitment is to shut down all coal-fired
power stations by 2030. The problem is that until then, we need them to go flat
out. We need them to mine coal and we need them to generate power. We are
resolute in our commitment to make sure that we shut down coal-fired power
stations as part of our efforts as a government to reduce emissions and respond
to the climate crisis. We will continue to
make sure that we work with all our industry partners to ensure that we do just that: secure Western Australia's energy security, make sure
that we transition to renewable and gas
sources of power, and, of course, provide investments for the south west
interconnected system to ensure that we can electrify and decarbonise
our entire south west region. This is tough work and it is difficult, because
obviously we have private interests, historical and legacy contracts, and a range
of relationships and business relationships that we essentially inherited. We
remain resolute to ensure that we resolve the issues between Griffin Coal and
Bluewaters power station, so we can ensure that we keep the lights on and enter
on a positive and deliberate pathway of the energy transition.
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