❓ A WA parliamentary question investigates the use of consultants and advice received regarding energy projects, particularly the Albany Wave Energy Project, revealing a shift in departmental support for the latter.

AnsweredQoN 4940Legislative Assembly

Asked

20 March 2019

Member

Portfolio

Regional Development; Agriculture and Food; Ports; Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to Energy related projects within the Minister's Primary Industries and Regional Development portfolios, and ask: (a) Has the Minister or her agency used any consultants in relation to advice on such projects: (i) If yes, can the Minister list the consultants, their contracted responsibilities, the cost and timing of the contracts; and (ii) If no, can the Minister therefore confirm that all advice for her decisions in respect to these projects came from within her agencies; (b) Can the Minister confirm that any consultant advice received for the Albany Wave Energy Project confirmed the efficacy of the project fundamentals; (c) If any consultant advice was received for the Albany Wave Energy Project will the Minister table that advice; and (d) Did any advice the Minister receive for the Albany Wave Energy Project recommend not supporting the project: (i) If yes, what was the basis for this advice?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

8 May 2019

Responded by

Minister representing the Minister for Regional Development; Agriculture and Food; Ports; Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade

Response time

9 days

(a) Yes. (i) Refer to tabled paper # (ii) Not applicable. (b) No consultant advice was received on the efficacy of the project fundamentals. The State’s contribution towards the Albany Wave Energy Project was the subject of an open and competitive tender process with responses evaluated by an independent panel comprising members from: DPIRD, Public Utilities Office, and Great Southern Development Commission. The panel’s processes and deliberation were overseen in a review and advisory capacity by the Department of Finance – Government Procurement. The evaluation process included a full assessment of Carnegie’s financial position. (c) Not applicable. (d) – (i) Advice provided by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) following submission of Carnegie’s Funding Plan in February 2019 recommended that the State Government no longer support the Project. No previous advice had made such a recommendation.

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