❓ Hon. Tim Clifford questions the Treasurer regarding the Swedish central bank's divestment from WA bonds due to climate concerns and seeks information on mitigating risks to WA's economy from the global shift away from fossil fuels. The Treasurer's response acknowledges the divestment but downplays its significance and affirms support for the natural gas industry.
AnsweredQoN 1335Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY —
SWEDISH CENTRAL BANK
1335. Hon TIM CLIFFORD to the minister representing the
Treasurer:
I refer to The Sydney Morning
Herald article of 14 November 2019 titled ''Sweden dumps Aussie
bonds as country 'not known for good climate work'''.
(1) What was the
total monetary value of the Western Australian bonds sold off by the Swedish
central bank?
(2) Can the
Treasurer please table any correspondence between the Swedish central bank and
the state government relating to Western Australia failing to manage climate
risk?
(3) Given that
financial institutions and governments across the world are divesting from
fossil fuels and withdrawing investments from projects, states and countries
that continue to back fossil fuel industries, what steps will the Treasurer
take to mitigate the significant risk to WA's economy as a result of
the global shift away from fossil fuel investment?
SWEDISH CENTRAL BANK
1335. Hon TIM CLIFFORD to the minister representing the
Treasurer:
I refer to The Sydney Morning
Herald article of 14 November 2019 titled ''Sweden dumps Aussie
bonds as country 'not known for good climate work'''.
(1) What was the
total monetary value of the Western Australian bonds sold off by the Swedish
central bank?
(2) Can the
Treasurer please table any correspondence between the Swedish central bank and
the state government relating to Western Australia failing to manage climate
risk?
(3) Given that
financial institutions and governments across the world are divesting from
fossil fuels and withdrawing investments from projects, states and countries
that continue to back fossil fuel industries, what steps will the Treasurer
take to mitigate the significant risk to WA's economy as a result of
the global shift away from fossil fuel investment?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following answer is provided on behalf of the
Treasurer.
(1) The Swedish
central bank has not detailed publicly the actual dollar value of the bonds
sold. The Western Australian Treasury
Corporation considers that the holdings by the Swedish central bank are not a
material part of the total WATC bonds on issue.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) The Western Australian
government supports the continued growth of the natural gas industry in the
state, providing more jobs and opportunities for hardworking Western Australian
families.
some notice of the question. The following answer is provided on behalf of the
Treasurer.
(1) The Swedish
central bank has not detailed publicly the actual dollar value of the bonds
sold. The Western Australian Treasury
Corporation considers that the holdings by the Swedish central bank are not a
material part of the total WATC bonds on issue.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) The Western Australian
government supports the continued growth of the natural gas industry in the
state, providing more jobs and opportunities for hardworking Western Australian
families.
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