❓ Question regarding a perceived conflict of interest involving Mr. Ed Schuller and his recusal from investigating appeals against the EPA's report on the North West Shelf Project Extension Proposal. The Minister's response details the timeline of events, including Mr. Schuller raising the conflict and his subsequent replacement.
AnsweredQoN 173Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to information in the public domain that the then acting Appeals Convenor, Mr Ed Schuller, was recused from investigating appeals against the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Report on the North West Shelf Project Extension Proposal due to conflict with his previous roles within the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, and I ask the Minister: (a) what was the nature of Mr Schuller’s conflict of interest in respect to appeals against the EPA’s Report on the North West Shelf Project Extension Proposal; (b) when was Mr Schuller’s conflict of interest brought to the Minister’s attention, and by whom; (c) what, if any, action did the Minister take in respect to that conflict of interest; (d) what role did Mr Schuller have in the conduct of the investigation of appeals in respect to the North West Shelf Project Extension Proposal, both before and after the conflict of interest was identified; and (e) who recommended Mr Schuller for the position of acting Appeals Convener?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
24 June 2025
Responded by
Minister for the Environment
Response time
7 days
(a)-(b) The former Minister for Environment appointed Mr Ed Schuller as the Appeal Committee to Appeal 24/2022 North West Shelf Project Extension Proposal on 1 November 2023. Mr Schuller raised a perceived conflict of interest with the Minister on 8 November 2023.
(c) On 13 November 2023, the former Minister for Environment revoked Mr Schuller’s appointment to the position of Appeal Committee. On 14 March 2024, the former Minister for the Environment appointed Mr Mark Webb as the Committee to investigate Appeal 24/2022 North West Shelf Project Extension Proposal.
(d) None.
(e) Pursuant to section 107A(4) of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 , the former Minister for Environment appointed Mr Schuller on a temporary basis.
(c) On 13 November 2023, the former Minister for Environment revoked Mr Schuller’s appointment to the position of Appeal Committee. On 14 March 2024, the former Minister for the Environment appointed Mr Mark Webb as the Committee to investigate Appeal 24/2022 North West Shelf Project Extension Proposal.
(d) None.
(e) Pursuant to section 107A(4) of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 , the former Minister for Environment appointed Mr Schuller on a temporary basis.
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.