Hon. Kate Doust asks about uncertainty in the energy industry due to potential re-merger of Synergy and Verve Energy. Hon. Peter Collier acknowledges uncertainty but provides no specific date for a decision, emphasizing due consideration and collaboration.

AnsweredQoN 129Legislative Council
Asked
1 December 2008
Portfolio
Energy

QuestionView source ↗

SYNERGY AND VERVE ENERGY RE-AMALGAMATION
I refer to recent comments made by the Premier and the minister in relation to the government’s consideration of a re-merger of Synergy and Verve Energy. (1) Does the minister acknowledge that these comments have caused significant uncertainty in the Western Australian energy industry? (2) Will the minister set a date for a decision to be made on this issue? Hon PETER COLLIER

AnswerView source ↗

(1)-(2) I thank the honourable member for the question. I am sure there is some uncertainty on the issue of Synergy and Verve. As I have said on several occasions, I have met with a significant number of people in the energy sector, and this issue has been raised on a number of occasions. Whenever there is a decision involving potential government mergers or disaggregations, inevitably there will be a degree of uncertainty. That is an unfortunate but inevitable aspect of government decision making. The processes of government decision making are often not swift, as I am sure the member will be well aware. We have been in government now for just over two months, and the decision on the potential merger of Verve and Synergy simply will not be made in haste. As I have said on a number of occasions, we will attempt to ensure that that decision is made after due collaboration with all the parties, operators and actors on the energy stage. However, I can assure the honourable member that it will be done with due consideration for the benefit of Western Australians.
(1) Does the minister acknowledge that these comments have caused significant uncertainty in the Western Australian energy industry? (2) Will the minister set a date for a decision to be made on this issue? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: (1)-(2) I thank the honourable member for the question. I am sure there is some uncertainty on the issue of Synergy and Verve. As I have said on several occasions, I have met with a significant number of people in the energy sector, and this issue has been raised on a number of occasions. Whenever there is a decision involving potential government mergers or disaggregations, inevitably there will be a degree of uncertainty. That is an unfortunate but inevitable aspect of government decision making. The processes of government decision making are often not swift, as I am sure the member will be well aware. We have been in government now for just over two months, and the decision on the potential merger of Verve and Synergy simply will not be made in haste. As I have said on a number of occasions, we will attempt to ensure that that decision is made after due collaboration with all the parties, operators and actors on the energy stage. However, I can assure the honourable member that it will be done with due consideration for the benefit of Western Australians.
(2) Will the minister set a date for a decision to be made on this issue? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: (1)-(2) I thank the honourable member for the question. I am sure there is some uncertainty on the issue of Synergy and Verve. As I have said on several occasions, I have met with a significant number of people in the energy sector, and this issue has been raised on a number of occasions. Whenever there is a decision involving potential government mergers or disaggregations, inevitably there will be a degree of uncertainty. That is an unfortunate but inevitable aspect of government decision making. The processes of government decision making are often not swift, as I am sure the member will be well aware. We have been in government now for just over two months, and the decision on the potential merger of Verve and Synergy simply will not be made in haste. As I have said on a number of occasions, we will attempt to ensure that that decision is made after due collaboration with all the parties, operators and actors on the energy stage. However, I can assure the honourable member that it will be done with due consideration for the benefit of Western Australians.
Hon PETER COLLIER replied: (1)-(2) I thank the honourable member for the question. I am sure there is some uncertainty on the issue of Synergy and Verve. As I have said on several occasions, I have met with a significant number of people in the energy sector, and this issue has been raised on a number of occasions. Whenever there is a decision involving potential government mergers or disaggregations, inevitably there will be a degree of uncertainty. That is an unfortunate but inevitable aspect of government decision making. The processes of government decision making are often not swift, as I am sure the member will be well aware. We have been in government now for just over two months, and the decision on the potential merger of Verve and Synergy simply will not be made in haste. As I have said on a number of occasions, we will attempt to ensure that that decision is made after due collaboration with all the parties, operators and actors on the energy stage. However, I can assure the honourable member that it will be done with due consideration for the benefit of Western Australians.
(1)-(2) I thank the honourable member for the question. I am sure there is some uncertainty on the issue of Synergy and Verve. As I have said on several occasions, I have met with a significant number of people in the energy sector, and this issue has been raised on a number of occasions. Whenever there is a decision involving potential government mergers or disaggregations, inevitably there will be a degree of uncertainty. That is an unfortunate but inevitable aspect of government decision making. The processes of government decision making are often not swift, as I am sure the member will be well aware. We have been in government now for just over two months, and the decision on the potential merger of Verve and Synergy simply will not be made in haste. As I have said on a number of occasions, we will attempt to ensure that that decision is made after due collaboration with all the parties, operators and actors on the energy stage. However, I can assure the honourable member that it will be done with due consideration for the benefit of Western Australians.

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