❓ Dr. Honey questions the government's decision to use Huawei for the Metronet project despite security concerns, citing a $6.6 million cost to taxpayers. The Minister defends the decision, stating it was based on advice from state and federal agencies at the time, and highlights subsequent changes due to international events and ongoing investment in Metronet.
AnsweredQoN 374Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
HUAWEI —
METRONET CONTRACT
374. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Minister for Transport:
I refer to Paul Murray's
opinion piece of July 2018 —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please,
members!
Dr D.J. HONEY : I refer to
Paul Murray's opinion piece of July 2018 when he stated that Huawei is
under such a cloud internationally that any competent government in Australia
would have second thoughts about doing business with it, and a memo provided to
the Premier's office that states, and I quote, ''The project may
not be able to support a level of security required to support future uses of
the network, particularly automatic train control and public safety module
broadcast.'' With these red flags, why did the Premier's
government still pursue Huawei as the preferred proponent for this project, and
is it fair that WA taxpayers should now foot the $6.6 million bill for this
ill-advised decision?
METRONET CONTRACT
374. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Minister for Transport:
I refer to Paul Murray's
opinion piece of July 2018 —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please,
members!
Dr D.J. HONEY : I refer to
Paul Murray's opinion piece of July 2018 when he stated that Huawei is
under such a cloud internationally that any competent government in Australia
would have second thoughts about doing business with it, and a memo provided to
the Premier's office that states, and I quote, ''The project may
not be able to support a level of security required to support future uses of
the network, particularly automatic train control and public safety module
broadcast.'' With these red flags, why did the Premier's
government still pursue Huawei as the preferred proponent for this project, and
is it fair that WA taxpayers should now foot the $6.6 million bill for this
ill-advised decision?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for that
question, but it also needs to be highlighted that the state government
received advice from both state and federal
government agencies all along the way. In relation to Huawei products, the
member might have realised that they have and are being used in these types of
systems across the nation, particularly in New South Wales. The member would
also be aware that it was used in a lot of componentry for a lot of
telecommunications throughout the states. We sought and received advice,
and went through with the procurement process. Now, of course, because of the
massive diplomatic and trade issues that occurred between Donald Trump and
China, the situation has changed. We were not to know what was going to occur
between Donald Trump and China and, as a result, that changed the course of
events.
We acted on advice all along the way
and we have now gone out for a new process and new tender and, of course, the market has changed. We now have very few
suppliers to choose from, but we are very keen to continue to invest in Metronet across the state to ensure that we can
deliver world-class infrastructure to the people of Western Australia .
Again, we know that the opposition does not support Metronet; it does not
support any aspect of Metronet.
Another point on this project and
high-capacity signalling is that we approached the commonwealth to partner with us on the rollout of new signalling across
the system, and we have been able to secure another $250 million from the commonwealth to deliver these projects. It is cost effective, we took
advice and we are delivering world-class infrastructure to Western Australians.
question, but it also needs to be highlighted that the state government
received advice from both state and federal
government agencies all along the way. In relation to Huawei products, the
member might have realised that they have and are being used in these types of
systems across the nation, particularly in New South Wales. The member would
also be aware that it was used in a lot of componentry for a lot of
telecommunications throughout the states. We sought and received advice,
and went through with the procurement process. Now, of course, because of the
massive diplomatic and trade issues that occurred between Donald Trump and
China, the situation has changed. We were not to know what was going to occur
between Donald Trump and China and, as a result, that changed the course of
events.
We acted on advice all along the way
and we have now gone out for a new process and new tender and, of course, the market has changed. We now have very few
suppliers to choose from, but we are very keen to continue to invest in Metronet across the state to ensure that we can
deliver world-class infrastructure to the people of Western Australia .
Again, we know that the opposition does not support Metronet; it does not
support any aspect of Metronet.
Another point on this project and
high-capacity signalling is that we approached the commonwealth to partner with us on the rollout of new signalling across
the system, and we have been able to secure another $250 million from the commonwealth to deliver these projects. It is cost effective, we took
advice and we are delivering world-class infrastructure to Western Australians.
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