CORONAVIRUS — INTERSTATE TRAVEL
RESTRICTIONS — EXEMPTIONS
668. Hon TIM CLIFFORD to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I understand that the chair of the National COVID-19
Coordination Commission and director and shareholder of WA-based Strike Energy,
Nev Power, has been granted travel exemptions through Western Australia's
border.
(1) What is the nature of the exemption?
(2) When was it granted, and —
(a) since the
exemption was granted, how many times has the Premier, or a representative of
the Premier, had communications with Mr Power; and
(b) since the exemption was granted, how many times
has the Minister for Energy, or a representative of the Minister for
Energy, had communications with Mr Power?
Hon SUE ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question.
(1) The Minister for Police advises that Mr Neville
Power was initially granted exempt traveller approval when required to
travel interstate for a purpose relating to the National COVID-19 Coordination
Commission, pursuant to paragraph 27(r) of the Quarantine (Closing the Border)
Directions. Mr Neville Power subsequently submitted a written application as a person
who can enter WA, with the reason for entering being that he was recently
appointed the chair of the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission by the
Prime Minister. Approval was granted without restriction as a judicial officer
or staff member of a court, tribunal or commission, in accordance with the
exemption provision at paragraph 27(n) of the Quarantine (Closing the Border)
Directions. All decisions with respect to travel and/or quarantine exemptions
for individuals are made by the Western Australia Police Force.
(2) The initial approval was made on 5 April 2020 and
the second approval was granted on 23 April 2020, and —
(a) the Premier
met with the chair of the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission on 18 June
2020; and
(b) this question should be directed
to the Minister for Energy.