❓ Question on Notice regarding the Devil Creek application by Apache Energy and the Minister's handling of it, specifically concerning environmental considerations and potential influence from lobbyist Peter Dowding. The Minister denies any wrongdoing and defends her actions.
AnsweredQoN 343Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
APACHE ENERGY — DEVIL CREEK APPLICATION
I ask a supplementary question. Will the minister admit that her excuse that environmental matters are not a consideration under section 18 or elsewhere in the Aboriginal Heritage Act is just a cover up for her actions in dealing with lobbyist Peter Dowding and delaying this essential project by many months? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS
I ask a supplementary question. Will the minister admit that her excuse that environmental matters are not a consideration under section 18 or elsewhere in the Aboriginal Heritage Act is just a cover up for her actions in dealing with lobbyist Peter Dowding and delaying this essential project by many months? Mrs M.H. ROBERTS
AnswerView source ↗
No. I think the member owes me an apology for the tenor of his question and because of the aspersions he is casting. Firstly, it is not true that any decision I have made on this matter was influenced in any way by Peter Dowding. I reject that entirely. Secondly, his aspersions relating to the environment are again quite incorrect. The Department of Indigenous Affairs clearly advised me that I could not validly make a decision unless I had advice from the Environmental Protection Authority. It decides whether it engages in a process. Once it has made that decision, I am obliged to take that into account. I was advised that I am legally obliged to take that into account. The member can shake his head, but he is quite wrong. It is like every other part of his question. He has made some assumptions and has come to some very wrong conclusions. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Some members on my left have been in this place long enough to know the correct way in which to make an interjection. I suggest that they resist the urge to interject unless they have asked the question. The member for Dawesville is called to order for the second time.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: No. I think the member owes me an apology for the tenor of his question and because of the aspersions he is casting. Firstly, it is not true that any decision I have made on this matter was influenced in any way by Peter Dowding. I reject that entirely. Secondly, his aspersions relating to the environment are again quite incorrect. The Department of Indigenous Affairs clearly advised me that I could not validly make a decision unless I had advice from the Environmental Protection Authority. It decides whether it engages in a process. Once it has made that decision, I am obliged to take that into account. I was advised that I am legally obliged to take that into account. The member can shake his head, but he is quite wrong. It is like every other part of his question. He has made some assumptions and has come to some very wrong conclusions. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Some members on my left have been in this place long enough to know the correct way in which to make an interjection. I suggest that they resist the urge to interject unless they have asked the question. The member for Dawesville is called to order for the second time.
No. I think the member owes me an apology for the tenor of his question and because of the aspersions he is casting. Firstly, it is not true that any decision I have made on this matter was influenced in any way by Peter Dowding. I reject that entirely. Secondly, his aspersions relating to the environment are again quite incorrect. The Department of Indigenous Affairs clearly advised me that I could not validly make a decision unless I had advice from the Environmental Protection Authority. It decides whether it engages in a process. Once it has made that decision, I am obliged to take that into account. I was advised that I am legally obliged to take that into account. The member can shake his head, but he is quite wrong. It is like every other part of his question. He has made some assumptions and has come to some very wrong conclusions. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Some members on my left have been in this place long enough to know the correct way in which to make an interjection. I suggest that they resist the urge to interject unless they have asked the question. The member for Dawesville is called to order for the second time.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Some members on my left have been in this place long enough to know the correct way in which to make an interjection. I suggest that they resist the urge to interject unless they have asked the question. The member for Dawesville is called to order for the second time.
Mrs M.H. ROBERTS replied: No. I think the member owes me an apology for the tenor of his question and because of the aspersions he is casting. Firstly, it is not true that any decision I have made on this matter was influenced in any way by Peter Dowding. I reject that entirely. Secondly, his aspersions relating to the environment are again quite incorrect. The Department of Indigenous Affairs clearly advised me that I could not validly make a decision unless I had advice from the Environmental Protection Authority. It decides whether it engages in a process. Once it has made that decision, I am obliged to take that into account. I was advised that I am legally obliged to take that into account. The member can shake his head, but he is quite wrong. It is like every other part of his question. He has made some assumptions and has come to some very wrong conclusions. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Some members on my left have been in this place long enough to know the correct way in which to make an interjection. I suggest that they resist the urge to interject unless they have asked the question. The member for Dawesville is called to order for the second time.
No. I think the member owes me an apology for the tenor of his question and because of the aspersions he is casting. Firstly, it is not true that any decision I have made on this matter was influenced in any way by Peter Dowding. I reject that entirely. Secondly, his aspersions relating to the environment are again quite incorrect. The Department of Indigenous Affairs clearly advised me that I could not validly make a decision unless I had advice from the Environmental Protection Authority. It decides whether it engages in a process. Once it has made that decision, I am obliged to take that into account. I was advised that I am legally obliged to take that into account. The member can shake his head, but he is quite wrong. It is like every other part of his question. He has made some assumptions and has come to some very wrong conclusions. The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Some members on my left have been in this place long enough to know the correct way in which to make an interjection. I suggest that they resist the urge to interject unless they have asked the question. The member for Dawesville is called to order for the second time.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER : Some members on my left have been in this place long enough to know the correct way in which to make an interjection. I suggest that they resist the urge to interject unless they have asked the question. The member for Dawesville is called to order for the second time.
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