A WA parliamentary question seeks information regarding the Minister's awareness and involvement in the Tenix proposal for a Kimberley to Perth canal, including consultation with the Water Corporation. The Minister's answers are somewhat vague and deflect responsibility to the Premier.

AnsweredQoN 983Legislative Council
Asked
16 November 2004
Portfolio
Government Enterprises

QuestionView source ↗

(1) When did the minister first became aware of the Tenix proposal for a canal from the Kimberley to Perth? (2) When did the minister become aware that the Government was to provide funds to assess the Tenix proposal? (3) What discussions took place between the minister and the Premier over proposals to provide funds to assess the project, and when were these discussions held? (4) Why was the Water Corporation not consulted about the Government’s decision to provide the funds? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS

AnswerView source ↗

(1) It was late last week. (2) I anticipated it on Friday. (3) Members of my staff conferred with members of the Premier’s staff. I conveyed my view, which was positive in terms of what the Premier has announced. The honourable member may recall that I was somewhat busy last week with my duties in the House. (4) The Premier is the minister in charge of the state water strategy. I should point out that as I understand it, Tenix Group brought forward a proposal in late 2001 directly to the Premier and members of the Premier’s staff. That was then put to the Water Corporation, which viewed the matter and considered it to be too expensive and not appropriate at that time. I understand that proposal involved a $6 billion cost; the current proposal has a cost in the region of $2 billion. Hon Norman Moore: What about the Water Corporation, although I will come to that?
(2) When did the minister become aware that the Government was to provide funds to assess the Tenix proposal? (3) What discussions took place between the minister and the Premier over proposals to provide funds to assess the project, and when were these discussions held? (4) Why was the Water Corporation not consulted about the Government’s decision to provide the funds? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: (1) It was late last week. (2) I anticipated it on Friday. (3) Members of my staff conferred with members of the Premier’s staff. I conveyed my view, which was positive in terms of what the Premier has announced. The honourable member may recall that I was somewhat busy last week with my duties in the House. (4) The Premier is the minister in charge of the state water strategy. I should point out that as I understand it, Tenix Group brought forward a proposal in late 2001 directly to the Premier and members of the Premier’s staff. That was then put to the Water Corporation, which viewed the matter and considered it to be too expensive and not appropriate at that time. I understand that proposal involved a $6 billion cost; the current proposal has a cost in the region of $2 billion. Hon Norman Moore: What about the Water Corporation, although I will come to that?
(3) What discussions took place between the minister and the Premier over proposals to provide funds to assess the project, and when were these discussions held? (4) Why was the Water Corporation not consulted about the Government’s decision to provide the funds? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: (1) It was late last week. (2) I anticipated it on Friday. (3) Members of my staff conferred with members of the Premier’s staff. I conveyed my view, which was positive in terms of what the Premier has announced. The honourable member may recall that I was somewhat busy last week with my duties in the House. (4) The Premier is the minister in charge of the state water strategy. I should point out that as I understand it, Tenix Group brought forward a proposal in late 2001 directly to the Premier and members of the Premier’s staff. That was then put to the Water Corporation, which viewed the matter and considered it to be too expensive and not appropriate at that time. I understand that proposal involved a $6 billion cost; the current proposal has a cost in the region of $2 billion. Hon Norman Moore: What about the Water Corporation, although I will come to that?
(4) Why was the Water Corporation not consulted about the Government’s decision to provide the funds? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: (1) It was late last week. (2) I anticipated it on Friday. (3) Members of my staff conferred with members of the Premier’s staff. I conveyed my view, which was positive in terms of what the Premier has announced. The honourable member may recall that I was somewhat busy last week with my duties in the House. (4) The Premier is the minister in charge of the state water strategy. I should point out that as I understand it, Tenix Group brought forward a proposal in late 2001 directly to the Premier and members of the Premier’s staff. That was then put to the Water Corporation, which viewed the matter and considered it to be too expensive and not appropriate at that time. I understand that proposal involved a $6 billion cost; the current proposal has a cost in the region of $2 billion. Hon Norman Moore: What about the Water Corporation, although I will come to that?
Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: (1) It was late last week. (2) I anticipated it on Friday. (3) Members of my staff conferred with members of the Premier’s staff. I conveyed my view, which was positive in terms of what the Premier has announced. The honourable member may recall that I was somewhat busy last week with my duties in the House. (4) The Premier is the minister in charge of the state water strategy. I should point out that as I understand it, Tenix Group brought forward a proposal in late 2001 directly to the Premier and members of the Premier’s staff. That was then put to the Water Corporation, which viewed the matter and considered it to be too expensive and not appropriate at that time. I understand that proposal involved a $6 billion cost; the current proposal has a cost in the region of $2 billion. Hon Norman Moore: What about the Water Corporation, although I will come to that?
(1) It was late last week. (2) I anticipated it on Friday. (3) Members of my staff conferred with members of the Premier’s staff. I conveyed my view, which was positive in terms of what the Premier has announced. The honourable member may recall that I was somewhat busy last week with my duties in the House. (4) The Premier is the minister in charge of the state water strategy. I should point out that as I understand it, Tenix Group brought forward a proposal in late 2001 directly to the Premier and members of the Premier’s staff. That was then put to the Water Corporation, which viewed the matter and considered it to be too expensive and not appropriate at that time. I understand that proposal involved a $6 billion cost; the current proposal has a cost in the region of $2 billion. Hon Norman Moore: What about the Water Corporation, although I will come to that?
(2) I anticipated it on Friday. (3) Members of my staff conferred with members of the Premier’s staff. I conveyed my view, which was positive in terms of what the Premier has announced. The honourable member may recall that I was somewhat busy last week with my duties in the House. (4) The Premier is the minister in charge of the state water strategy. I should point out that as I understand it, Tenix Group brought forward a proposal in late 2001 directly to the Premier and members of the Premier’s staff. That was then put to the Water Corporation, which viewed the matter and considered it to be too expensive and not appropriate at that time. I understand that proposal involved a $6 billion cost; the current proposal has a cost in the region of $2 billion. Hon Norman Moore: What about the Water Corporation, although I will come to that?
(3) Members of my staff conferred with members of the Premier’s staff. I conveyed my view, which was positive in terms of what the Premier has announced. The honourable member may recall that I was somewhat busy last week with my duties in the House. (4) The Premier is the minister in charge of the state water strategy. I should point out that as I understand it, Tenix Group brought forward a proposal in late 2001 directly to the Premier and members of the Premier’s staff. That was then put to the Water Corporation, which viewed the matter and considered it to be too expensive and not appropriate at that time. I understand that proposal involved a $6 billion cost; the current proposal has a cost in the region of $2 billion. Hon Norman Moore: What about the Water Corporation, although I will come to that?
(4) The Premier is the minister in charge of the state water strategy. I should point out that as I understand it, Tenix Group brought forward a proposal in late 2001 directly to the Premier and members of the Premier’s staff. That was then put to the Water Corporation, which viewed the matter and considered it to be too expensive and not appropriate at that time. I understand that proposal involved a $6 billion cost; the current proposal has a cost in the region of $2 billion. Hon Norman Moore: What about the Water Corporation, although I will come to that?
Hon Norman Moore: What about the Water Corporation, although I will come to that?

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