Dr. Thomas questions the rationale behind the $220 million funding to Griffin Coal and seeks clarification on its recovery after a commercial solution is found. The government defends the funding as necessary for a managed transition in Collie.

AnsweredQoN 77Legislative Council
Asked
29 February 2024
Portfolio
State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade

QuestionView source ↗

GRIFFIN COAL —
FUNDING STREAM
77. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the
Minister for State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade:
I refer to the additional
extraordinary figure of a $220 million funding stream to the insolvent Griffin
Coal.
(1) Who or whom,
including of the receivers, managers, lenders or shareholders, requested the
figure of $220 million and for what detailed operational rationale or scope?
(2) The
government has stated ad nauseum, ''We will continue to work with
parties to find a commercial solution to support longer term operations.''
Will the now extraordinary $260 million taxpayer-funded Griffin bailout
payments be recovered once ''commercial solutions'' are resolved?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question and answer on behalf of the
minister representing.
(1)–(2) The
government announced on 1 December 2023 that to prevent a sudden mine closure
and ensure a managed transition for Collie,
the government was allocating $220 million to support continued operations at
Griffin until June 2026. The figure was determined by the Department of the
Premier and Cabinet and the Department of Treasury taking a range of factors
and inputs into account. This funding announcement delivers certainty for the mine workforce, industry and the community to
enable a sensible and managed transition.

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