Question regarding potential conflict of interest for the Chairperson of the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee (ACMC) due to shareholdings in BHP and family connections to Rio Tinto, and the appropriateness of their involvement in specific meetings. The answer confirms disclosure and unanimous consent from members.

AnsweredQoN 3192Legislative Council
Asked
16 June 2015
Portfolio
Aboriginal Affairs

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee (ACMC) minutes, dated 21 November 2012 and 18 December 2013, and I ask: (a) what was the nature of the small joint shareholding held in BHP by Hon Gavin Fielding AM, Chairperson of the ACMC when dealing with 3.3 Port Hedland Port Authority – Development on 18 December 2013, 3.1 Woodside Energy Ltd on behalf of the Minister for Lands for the State of Western Australia on 21 November 2012 and his other declarations on 29 September 2011, 13 October 2011, 11 July 2012, 12 September 2012, 10 October 2012, 12 December 2012, 10 April 2013, 13 November 2013, 18 December 2013, 14 May 2014, 12 November 2014 and 10 December 2014; (b) was it appropriate for the Chairperson of the ACMC to facilitate these meetings given this shareholding; and (c) what is the quorum of the ACMC meetings.?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
9 September 2015
Responded by
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Response time
85 days
a. The declarations were of the nature that the Chairperson held small joint shareholdings in BHP and that he had family members employed by Rio Tinto Iron Ore Pty Ltd in Africa.
b. Yes. At each meeting, the Chairperson disclosed his shareholdings and, on each occasion, sought and obtained the unanimous consent of the members present to his taking part in the relevant debate.
c. A quorum must consist of five members of the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee, two of whom must be ex-officio members.

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