❓ A WA parliamentary question investigates potential conflict of interest involving Graham Thomson, former Chairman of the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission (GEDC), regarding Royalties for Regions funding granted to Foodbank. The question focuses on Thomson's alleged involvement in the application, approval, and provision of services to Foodbank.
AnsweredQoN 357Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
With reference to the Foodbank application for Royalties for Regions funding in 2009 outlined in the Foodbank business case document located at http://www.robinchapple.com/sites/default/files/Foodbank%20business%20case.pdf, when Graham Thomson was Chairman of the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission (GEDC) and responsible for both the assessment and approval of Royalties for Regions grant applications, I ask: (a) was Foodbank granted $200,000 Royalties for Regions funding from the GEDC; (b) did Foodbank acquire a transportable building for the project via Graham Thomson or companies he controls; (c) did Graham Thomson and/or his company Logistics Management Services complete the costing and relevant plans for the Foodbank application for funding; (d) did Graham Thomson declare a conflict of interest and remove himself for consideration of the Foodbank application; (e) if no to (d), why not; and (f) If no to (d), what action will the Minister take?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
4 December 2013
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Regional Development
Response time
50 days
(1) (a) - (c) Yes
(d) No
(e) Yes
(f) There is no indication of an approach to the Minister or his office. In regard to portfolio agencies, it would be necessary to conduct a review of records, however the Member is referred to the response to Question on Notice 5326.
(g) The link to the website provided in the Member's question contains an email of this nature.
(h) I am advised that the meeting the Member refers to was convened by the Chief Executive Officer of the Goldfields Esperance Development Commission (GEDC), not Mr Thomson. The CEO advises that he was unaware of any interest that Mr Thomson may, or may not have had at the time of the meeting.
(i) The meeting was not for the benefit of Mr Thomson. The meeting was to bring together stakeholders interested in advancing a project that was identified in the 2011-21 Strategic Development Plan and it is appropriate that the CEO would convene such a meeting.
(2) The GEDC has reaffirmed to the Minister that it has not had an approach seeking assistance in the building of a gold processing plant in Leonora. The meeting that the Member refers to was designed to bring together stakeholders interested in advancing the project.
(a) - (d) Not applicable.
(d) No
(e) Yes
(f) There is no indication of an approach to the Minister or his office. In regard to portfolio agencies, it would be necessary to conduct a review of records, however the Member is referred to the response to Question on Notice 5326.
(g) The link to the website provided in the Member's question contains an email of this nature.
(h) I am advised that the meeting the Member refers to was convened by the Chief Executive Officer of the Goldfields Esperance Development Commission (GEDC), not Mr Thomson. The CEO advises that he was unaware of any interest that Mr Thomson may, or may not have had at the time of the meeting.
(i) The meeting was not for the benefit of Mr Thomson. The meeting was to bring together stakeholders interested in advancing a project that was identified in the 2011-21 Strategic Development Plan and it is appropriate that the CEO would convene such a meeting.
(2) The GEDC has reaffirmed to the Minister that it has not had an approach seeking assistance in the building of a gold processing plant in Leonora. The meeting that the Member refers to was designed to bring together stakeholders interested in advancing the project.
(a) - (d) Not applicable.
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