A WA parliamentary question probes the Premier regarding an agreement to streamline environmental approvals, referencing a Fraser Institute award and questioning the government's alignment with the institute's controversial stances on gun control, tobacco, and climate change. The Premier denies knowledge of any award.

AnsweredQoN 3143Legislative Council
Asked
20 August 2020
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the Premier's media statement on 10 August 2020, titled "Agreement to streamline environmental approvals given green light", noting the specific reference to an award from the Fraser Institute regarding mining exploration, and to environmental approvals generally, and I ask: (a) given the Fraser Institute advocates for reducing gun control measures, what is the Government's position on reducing gun control; (b) given the Fraser Institute advocates and establishes pro-tobacco studies, what is the Government's view on tobacco: (i) will this award from the Fraser Institute impact on the Government's position to tobacco products; (c) given the Fraser Institute's denial of climate change, what are the views of this Government on climate change deniers; (d) does the Premier agree with Professor Graeme Samuel's review of the Federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 , where he cited a need for the "fundamental reform of national environmental law": (i) if yes to (d), why did this Government accept the award from the Fraser Institute, believing that its own environmental laws needed review; and (ii) if no to (d), why not; and (e) has this Government been in correspondence with the Fraser Institute: (i) regarding this award; (ii) regarding any other matter not relating to the award: (A) if yes to (e)(ii), what was this correspondence regarding; and (iii) will the Minister please table any items relevant to (e)(i)-(ii)?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
23 September 2020
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Premier
Response time
8 days
The Fraser Institute ranked Western Australia as the top resource investment jurisdiction in their annual rankings. I am unaware of any award being given to Western Australia by the Fraser Institute.
(a-e) Not applicable

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