❓ The WA Treasurer is questioned about potential national security concerns related to the sale of Western Power assets to foreign entities, referencing comments made by the federal Treasurer. The Treasurer defends the government's position by highlighting previous asset sales involving foreign purchasers.
AnsweredQoN 522Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ASSET
SALES — WESTERN POWER
522. Mr W.J. JOHNSTON to the
Treasurer:
I ask a supplementary question. Again, does the Treasurer
agree with Scott Morrison, the federal Treasurer, that there are serious
national security concerns with the potential sale of power assets to a foreign
government?
SALES — WESTERN POWER
522. Mr W.J. JOHNSTON to the
Treasurer:
I ask a supplementary question. Again, does the Treasurer
agree with Scott Morrison, the federal Treasurer, that there are serious
national security concerns with the potential sale of power assets to a foreign
government?
AnswerView source ↗
Scott Morrison did not say ''foreign ownership''
per se. His decision related to the two bidders for that asset, not to all
foreigners.
Mr P.C. Tinley :
Where did they come from? Who are they?
Dr M.D. NAHAN : I am
not involved in the bidding process but they were reported to be a Chinese
state-owned enterprise and another one in Hong Kong. I do not have access to
information. Scott Morrison is on record saying that, for national security
reasons, he could not articulate that in public. I might add that there are
other Canadian super funds. A whole range of private firms have been involved
in almost all the transactions that have taken place, even in Kim ''Bomber''
Beazley's time when he sold more assets than any other Australian.
There were foreign purchasers in those assets. In fact, I think a shipping
company was bought by a French firm.
Mr W.J. Johnston :
He never sold one electricity asset.
Dr M.D. NAHAN :
Yes, he did. He sold more assets than any Australian leader in history, and he
is Mark McGowan's mentor!
Mr W.J. Johnston interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Cannington, I call you to order now for the third time. Treasurer,
you have got 30 seconds.
Dr M.D. NAHAN : Of
course he did not sell electricity assets; the commonwealth does not own them.
What about Qantas, CSL, Shipping Australia, Telstra and the Commonwealth Bank?
Mr W.J. Johnston :
He didn't sell Telstra.
Dr M.D. NAHAN :
Yes, he did —first wave.
per se. His decision related to the two bidders for that asset, not to all
foreigners.
Mr P.C. Tinley :
Where did they come from? Who are they?
Dr M.D. NAHAN : I am
not involved in the bidding process but they were reported to be a Chinese
state-owned enterprise and another one in Hong Kong. I do not have access to
information. Scott Morrison is on record saying that, for national security
reasons, he could not articulate that in public. I might add that there are
other Canadian super funds. A whole range of private firms have been involved
in almost all the transactions that have taken place, even in Kim ''Bomber''
Beazley's time when he sold more assets than any other Australian.
There were foreign purchasers in those assets. In fact, I think a shipping
company was bought by a French firm.
Mr W.J. Johnston :
He never sold one electricity asset.
Dr M.D. NAHAN :
Yes, he did. He sold more assets than any Australian leader in history, and he
is Mark McGowan's mentor!
Mr W.J. Johnston interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Cannington, I call you to order now for the third time. Treasurer,
you have got 30 seconds.
Dr M.D. NAHAN : Of
course he did not sell electricity assets; the commonwealth does not own them.
What about Qantas, CSL, Shipping Australia, Telstra and the Commonwealth Bank?
Mr W.J. Johnston :
He didn't sell Telstra.
Dr M.D. NAHAN :
Yes, he did —first wave.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.