❓ Dr. Thomas questions Minister Bowler about potential lobbying by Brian Burke and Julian Grill regarding the Bluewaters 2 power station approval. Bowler avoids directly answering, instead defending the decision's merits and timing.
AnsweredQoN 942Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BLUEWATERS 2 POWER STATION
Twice this week the minister has failed to answer questions about his relationship with Julian Grill and Brian Burke and his approval of the $400 million Bluewaters 2 coal-fired power station. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re anti-Collie! Dr S.C. THOMAS : Rubbish. I ask - (1) At any time did Brian Burke or Julian Grill lobby the minister or any member of his ministerial staff regarding the Bluewaters 2 power station, yes or no? (2) If yes to (1), when and where did the lobbying occur? (3) Did the minister or his office at any time request that documents relating to the approvals for Bluewaters 2 be forwarded to the minister during his short stint as acting Minister for the Environment, yes or no? Mr J.J.M. BOWLER
Twice this week the minister has failed to answer questions about his relationship with Julian Grill and Brian Burke and his approval of the $400 million Bluewaters 2 coal-fired power station. Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re anti-Collie! Dr S.C. THOMAS : Rubbish. I ask - (1) At any time did Brian Burke or Julian Grill lobby the minister or any member of his ministerial staff regarding the Bluewaters 2 power station, yes or no? (2) If yes to (1), when and where did the lobbying occur? (3) Did the minister or his office at any time request that documents relating to the approvals for Bluewaters 2 be forwarded to the minister during his short stint as acting Minister for the Environment, yes or no? Mr J.J.M. BOWLER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) First of all, as I said yesterday, it was the correct decision. The decision was made on environmental, social and economic grounds. At the time it did not elicit a response from the opposition. Moreover, the Leader of the Opposition has stated that it was the correct decision. Second, the decision came six months after the Bluewaters 1 approval came through with identical conditions. Third, the decision was announced on 31 January, seven days after the member for Willagee became the Premier and after he lifted the ban on Labor members speaking to Brian Burke and Julian Grill.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re anti-Collie! Dr S.C. THOMAS : Rubbish. I ask - (1) At any time did Brian Burke or Julian Grill lobby the minister or any member of his ministerial staff regarding the Bluewaters 2 power station, yes or no? (2) If yes to (1), when and where did the lobbying occur? (3) Did the minister or his office at any time request that documents relating to the approvals for Bluewaters 2 be forwarded to the minister during his short stint as acting Minister for the Environment, yes or no? Mr J.J.M. BOWLER replied: (1)-(3) First of all, as I said yesterday, it was the correct decision. The decision was made on environmental, social and economic grounds. At the time it did not elicit a response from the opposition. Moreover, the Leader of the Opposition has stated that it was the correct decision. Second, the decision came six months after the Bluewaters 1 approval came through with identical conditions. Third, the decision was announced on 31 January, seven days after the member for Willagee became the Premier and after he lifted the ban on Labor members speaking to Brian Burke and Julian Grill.
Dr S.C. THOMAS : Rubbish. I ask - (1) At any time did Brian Burke or Julian Grill lobby the minister or any member of his ministerial staff regarding the Bluewaters 2 power station, yes or no? (2) If yes to (1), when and where did the lobbying occur? (3) Did the minister or his office at any time request that documents relating to the approvals for Bluewaters 2 be forwarded to the minister during his short stint as acting Minister for the Environment, yes or no? Mr J.J.M. BOWLER replied: (1)-(3) First of all, as I said yesterday, it was the correct decision. The decision was made on environmental, social and economic grounds. At the time it did not elicit a response from the opposition. Moreover, the Leader of the Opposition has stated that it was the correct decision. Second, the decision came six months after the Bluewaters 1 approval came through with identical conditions. Third, the decision was announced on 31 January, seven days after the member for Willagee became the Premier and after he lifted the ban on Labor members speaking to Brian Burke and Julian Grill.
(1) At any time did Brian Burke or Julian Grill lobby the minister or any member of his ministerial staff regarding the Bluewaters 2 power station, yes or no? (2) If yes to (1), when and where did the lobbying occur? (3) Did the minister or his office at any time request that documents relating to the approvals for Bluewaters 2 be forwarded to the minister during his short stint as acting Minister for the Environment, yes or no? Mr J.J.M. BOWLER replied: (1)-(3) First of all, as I said yesterday, it was the correct decision. The decision was made on environmental, social and economic grounds. At the time it did not elicit a response from the opposition. Moreover, the Leader of the Opposition has stated that it was the correct decision. Second, the decision came six months after the Bluewaters 1 approval came through with identical conditions. Third, the decision was announced on 31 January, seven days after the member for Willagee became the Premier and after he lifted the ban on Labor members speaking to Brian Burke and Julian Grill.
(2) If yes to (1), when and where did the lobbying occur? (3) Did the minister or his office at any time request that documents relating to the approvals for Bluewaters 2 be forwarded to the minister during his short stint as acting Minister for the Environment, yes or no? Mr J.J.M. BOWLER replied: (1)-(3) First of all, as I said yesterday, it was the correct decision. The decision was made on environmental, social and economic grounds. At the time it did not elicit a response from the opposition. Moreover, the Leader of the Opposition has stated that it was the correct decision. Second, the decision came six months after the Bluewaters 1 approval came through with identical conditions. Third, the decision was announced on 31 January, seven days after the member for Willagee became the Premier and after he lifted the ban on Labor members speaking to Brian Burke and Julian Grill.
(3) Did the minister or his office at any time request that documents relating to the approvals for Bluewaters 2 be forwarded to the minister during his short stint as acting Minister for the Environment, yes or no? Mr J.J.M. BOWLER replied: (1)-(3) First of all, as I said yesterday, it was the correct decision. The decision was made on environmental, social and economic grounds. At the time it did not elicit a response from the opposition. Moreover, the Leader of the Opposition has stated that it was the correct decision. Second, the decision came six months after the Bluewaters 1 approval came through with identical conditions. Third, the decision was announced on 31 January, seven days after the member for Willagee became the Premier and after he lifted the ban on Labor members speaking to Brian Burke and Julian Grill.
Mr J.J.M. BOWLER replied: (1)-(3) First of all, as I said yesterday, it was the correct decision. The decision was made on environmental, social and economic grounds. At the time it did not elicit a response from the opposition. Moreover, the Leader of the Opposition has stated that it was the correct decision. Second, the decision came six months after the Bluewaters 1 approval came through with identical conditions. Third, the decision was announced on 31 January, seven days after the member for Willagee became the Premier and after he lifted the ban on Labor members speaking to Brian Burke and Julian Grill.
(1)-(3) First of all, as I said yesterday, it was the correct decision. The decision was made on environmental, social and economic grounds. At the time it did not elicit a response from the opposition. Moreover, the Leader of the Opposition has stated that it was the correct decision. Second, the decision came six months after the Bluewaters 1 approval came through with identical conditions. Third, the decision was announced on 31 January, seven days after the member for Willagee became the Premier and after he lifted the ban on Labor members speaking to Brian Burke and Julian Grill.
Mr E.S. Ripper : You’re anti-Collie! Dr S.C. THOMAS : Rubbish. I ask - (1) At any time did Brian Burke or Julian Grill lobby the minister or any member of his ministerial staff regarding the Bluewaters 2 power station, yes or no? (2) If yes to (1), when and where did the lobbying occur? (3) Did the minister or his office at any time request that documents relating to the approvals for Bluewaters 2 be forwarded to the minister during his short stint as acting Minister for the Environment, yes or no? Mr J.J.M. BOWLER replied: (1)-(3) First of all, as I said yesterday, it was the correct decision. The decision was made on environmental, social and economic grounds. At the time it did not elicit a response from the opposition. Moreover, the Leader of the Opposition has stated that it was the correct decision. Second, the decision came six months after the Bluewaters 1 approval came through with identical conditions. Third, the decision was announced on 31 January, seven days after the member for Willagee became the Premier and after he lifted the ban on Labor members speaking to Brian Burke and Julian Grill.
Dr S.C. THOMAS : Rubbish. I ask - (1) At any time did Brian Burke or Julian Grill lobby the minister or any member of his ministerial staff regarding the Bluewaters 2 power station, yes or no? (2) If yes to (1), when and where did the lobbying occur? (3) Did the minister or his office at any time request that documents relating to the approvals for Bluewaters 2 be forwarded to the minister during his short stint as acting Minister for the Environment, yes or no? Mr J.J.M. BOWLER replied: (1)-(3) First of all, as I said yesterday, it was the correct decision. The decision was made on environmental, social and economic grounds. At the time it did not elicit a response from the opposition. Moreover, the Leader of the Opposition has stated that it was the correct decision. Second, the decision came six months after the Bluewaters 1 approval came through with identical conditions. Third, the decision was announced on 31 January, seven days after the member for Willagee became the Premier and after he lifted the ban on Labor members speaking to Brian Burke and Julian Grill.
(1) At any time did Brian Burke or Julian Grill lobby the minister or any member of his ministerial staff regarding the Bluewaters 2 power station, yes or no? (2) If yes to (1), when and where did the lobbying occur? (3) Did the minister or his office at any time request that documents relating to the approvals for Bluewaters 2 be forwarded to the minister during his short stint as acting Minister for the Environment, yes or no? Mr J.J.M. BOWLER replied: (1)-(3) First of all, as I said yesterday, it was the correct decision. The decision was made on environmental, social and economic grounds. At the time it did not elicit a response from the opposition. Moreover, the Leader of the Opposition has stated that it was the correct decision. Second, the decision came six months after the Bluewaters 1 approval came through with identical conditions. Third, the decision was announced on 31 January, seven days after the member for Willagee became the Premier and after he lifted the ban on Labor members speaking to Brian Burke and Julian Grill.
(2) If yes to (1), when and where did the lobbying occur? (3) Did the minister or his office at any time request that documents relating to the approvals for Bluewaters 2 be forwarded to the minister during his short stint as acting Minister for the Environment, yes or no? Mr J.J.M. BOWLER replied: (1)-(3) First of all, as I said yesterday, it was the correct decision. The decision was made on environmental, social and economic grounds. At the time it did not elicit a response from the opposition. Moreover, the Leader of the Opposition has stated that it was the correct decision. Second, the decision came six months after the Bluewaters 1 approval came through with identical conditions. Third, the decision was announced on 31 January, seven days after the member for Willagee became the Premier and after he lifted the ban on Labor members speaking to Brian Burke and Julian Grill.
(3) Did the minister or his office at any time request that documents relating to the approvals for Bluewaters 2 be forwarded to the minister during his short stint as acting Minister for the Environment, yes or no? Mr J.J.M. BOWLER replied: (1)-(3) First of all, as I said yesterday, it was the correct decision. The decision was made on environmental, social and economic grounds. At the time it did not elicit a response from the opposition. Moreover, the Leader of the Opposition has stated that it was the correct decision. Second, the decision came six months after the Bluewaters 1 approval came through with identical conditions. Third, the decision was announced on 31 January, seven days after the member for Willagee became the Premier and after he lifted the ban on Labor members speaking to Brian Burke and Julian Grill.
Mr J.J.M. BOWLER replied: (1)-(3) First of all, as I said yesterday, it was the correct decision. The decision was made on environmental, social and economic grounds. At the time it did not elicit a response from the opposition. Moreover, the Leader of the Opposition has stated that it was the correct decision. Second, the decision came six months after the Bluewaters 1 approval came through with identical conditions. Third, the decision was announced on 31 January, seven days after the member for Willagee became the Premier and after he lifted the ban on Labor members speaking to Brian Burke and Julian Grill.
(1)-(3) First of all, as I said yesterday, it was the correct decision. The decision was made on environmental, social and economic grounds. At the time it did not elicit a response from the opposition. Moreover, the Leader of the Opposition has stated that it was the correct decision. Second, the decision came six months after the Bluewaters 1 approval came through with identical conditions. Third, the decision was announced on 31 January, seven days after the member for Willagee became the Premier and after he lifted the ban on Labor members speaking to Brian Burke and Julian Grill.
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