❓ Hon Ben Dawkins questions the Minister for Regional Development regarding the effectiveness of taxpayer funds allocated to the Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre, following its voluntary administration and previous significant funding. The government responds with plans for financial assistance and an advisory group to ensure long-term sustainability.
AnsweredQoN 347Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DOLPHIN DISCOVERY CENTRE
— FUNDING
347. Hon BEN DAWKINS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Regional Development:
I ask this
question for James in Bunbury.
I refer to the ABC news article on
12 April, which announced the WA Labor government's decision to spend
$1.5 million to bail out the Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre, which has
recently gone into voluntary administration. After spending WA taxpayer funds
of $13 million in 2019 for a major upgrade of the centre and further
COVID-19-related grants from the government since 2020, which were referred to
by the minister in the ABC article, can the minister please advise what
provisions have been put in place to ensure that these huge sums of taxpayers'
money are used effectively and productively?
— FUNDING
347. Hon BEN DAWKINS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Regional Development:
I ask this
question for James in Bunbury.
I refer to the ABC news article on
12 April, which announced the WA Labor government's decision to spend
$1.5 million to bail out the Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre, which has
recently gone into voluntary administration. After spending WA taxpayer funds
of $13 million in 2019 for a major upgrade of the centre and further
COVID-19-related grants from the government since 2020, which were referred to
by the minister in the ABC article, can the minister please advise what
provisions have been put in place to ensure that these huge sums of taxpayers'
money are used effectively and productively?
AnswerView source ↗
I do not have a question from
James; I have a question from Hon Ben Dawkins.
The PRESIDENT : Please
continue, honourable member.
Hon KYLE McGINN : I will just
check. Is the number 389?
Hon Ben Dawkins : Yes, it is
389. I guess people learn at different rates. I know that.
Several members interjected.
The PRESIDENT : Order! Please
provide the answer, parliamentary secretary.
Hon KYLE McGINN : The
following answer has been provided to me by the Minister for Regional Development.
The state government, following an
in-depth financial analysis by administrators RSM Australia, will assist Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Incorporated to achieve
financial sustainability with funding support managed through a financial
assistance agreement between the state and Bunbury Dolphin Discovery
Incorporated. Through the South West Development Commission, an external
dolphin discovery centre advisory group will be established to explore and
recommend new tourism and hospitality activities at the facility to ensure
long-term sustainability.
James; I have a question from Hon Ben Dawkins.
The PRESIDENT : Please
continue, honourable member.
Hon KYLE McGINN : I will just
check. Is the number 389?
Hon Ben Dawkins : Yes, it is
389. I guess people learn at different rates. I know that.
Several members interjected.
The PRESIDENT : Order! Please
provide the answer, parliamentary secretary.
Hon KYLE McGINN : The
following answer has been provided to me by the Minister for Regional Development.
The state government, following an
in-depth financial analysis by administrators RSM Australia, will assist Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Incorporated to achieve
financial sustainability with funding support managed through a financial
assistance agreement between the state and Bunbury Dolphin Discovery
Incorporated. Through the South West Development Commission, an external
dolphin discovery centre advisory group will be established to explore and
recommend new tourism and hospitality activities at the facility to ensure
long-term sustainability.
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