Hon Ben Dawkins questions the Regional Development Minister regarding the $1.5 million bailout of the Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre, seeking details on its use and audit outcomes. The Minister provides some details but lacks information on updated financial reports.

AnsweredQoN 1278Legislative Council
Asked
22 October 2024
Portfolio
Regional Development

QuestionView source ↗

BUNBURY DOLPHIN
DISCOVERY CENTRE
1278. Hon BEN DAWKINS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Regional Development:
I refer to the WA Labor government's
decision to spend $1.5 million to bail out the Bunbury Dolphin Discovery
Centre, and the recently completed financial audit of the centre.
(1) Can the minister provide a breakdown
of the origin and utilisation of the $1.5 million bailout?
(2) What, if any, amounts of the bailout funds were
given as payments to former staff, CEOs or board members?
(3) Will the
minister table in Parliament or otherwise provide a copy of the audit report?
(4) Will the
minister confirm whether, following the completion of the audit, amended or
updated financial reports have been submitted to the relevant bodies, including
the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The following answer has been provided by the Minister for
Regional Development and is accurate as of Wednesday, 16 October.
(1) Funding was
sourced from royalties for regions. There was $985 000 allocated to Bunbury
Dolphin Discovery Centre Inc—BDDI—and $515 000 to the South
West Development Commission.
(2) The $985 000
resolved outstanding liabilities to creditors, covered administrators'
fees and provided working capital.
(3) BDDI is next
required to submit an annual financial report to the Australian Charities and
Not-for-profits Commission by 31 January 2025.
(4) I do not have
an answer to part (4).

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