❓ Mr. Watson questions the validity of using Royalties for Regions funds for the Department of Regional Development and regional development commissions. The Minister confirms advice was sought but not yet received, defending the decision as necessary for the program's future and credibility.
AnsweredQoN 571Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ROYALTIES FOR REGIONS — WESTERN AUSTRALIAN
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRUST — LEGAL ADVICE
571. Mr P.B. WATSON to the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the annual report from the Western Australian
Regional Development Trust, which states that the funding for the Department of
Regional Development and the regional development commissions from royalties
for regions funds may be invalid under the Royalties for Regions Act.
(1) Has the
minister sought advice from the State Solicitor about the validity of that decision,
as recommended by the trust?
(2) If the
minister has received advice, will he table that advice?
(3) Does the
minister agree with the trust that this decision is cost-shifting and
ill-advised?
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRUST — LEGAL ADVICE
571. Mr P.B. WATSON to the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the annual report from the Western Australian
Regional Development Trust, which states that the funding for the Department of
Regional Development and the regional development commissions from royalties
for regions funds may be invalid under the Royalties for Regions Act.
(1) Has the
minister sought advice from the State Solicitor about the validity of that decision,
as recommended by the trust?
(2) If the
minister has received advice, will he table that advice?
(3) Does the
minister agree with the trust that this decision is cost-shifting and
ill-advised?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Albany for the question.
(1)–(3) Yes,
we have requested that advice from the State Solicitor's Office. I have
not actually seen that advice yet, but the advice from my agency is that the
State Solicitor's Office was comfortable with the legalities of
actually doing it under the Royalties for Regions Act. I make no apology for
making decisions within the royalties for regions program to protect the state's
finances into the future and to make sure that this program, which is
transforming regional Western Australia, maintains its credibility in the wider
community, maintains its focus on regional development and maintains the
strength of the administration of the agency. It is vitally important that the
government structures in and around royalties for regions are strong and that
the development commissions that help administer the program are strong. An
example of some of the issues talked about in Parliament now on royalties for
regions is funding, and the Liberal–National government is very proud
that finally, after years of neglect from Labor, regional development has a
focus.
(1)–(3) Yes,
we have requested that advice from the State Solicitor's Office. I have
not actually seen that advice yet, but the advice from my agency is that the
State Solicitor's Office was comfortable with the legalities of
actually doing it under the Royalties for Regions Act. I make no apology for
making decisions within the royalties for regions program to protect the state's
finances into the future and to make sure that this program, which is
transforming regional Western Australia, maintains its credibility in the wider
community, maintains its focus on regional development and maintains the
strength of the administration of the agency. It is vitally important that the
government structures in and around royalties for regions are strong and that
the development commissions that help administer the program are strong. An
example of some of the issues talked about in Parliament now on royalties for
regions is funding, and the Liberal–National government is very proud
that finally, after years of neglect from Labor, regional development has a
focus.
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