GOLD CORPORATION —
CONFLICT GOLD — PAPUA NEW GUINEA
447. Mr
W.R. MARMION to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question. I thank
the Premier for his answer, but why was he unaware of the issues within his
portfolio, given that serious concerns had been raised by staff, and what
safeguards have now been put in place so that he is across issues in the
future? You should be across them, Premier; it is your portfolio.
Mr M. McGOWAN
replied:
As
I said, Gold Corporation is a business that processes gold that is,
overwhelmingly, produced in Western Australia. It ensures that hundreds of
people have employment and there is an affordable way for gold to be smeltered—I
think that is the term—here in Western Australia for sale internationally.
Gold Corporation is strongly supported by industry. It ensures that our gold
industry in Western Australia is competitive. As I said, I have not delved into
the commercial arrangements of Gold Corporation. If I were to, no doubt the
member would be in here asking me why I was engaging in the commercial
activities of a government trading enterprise. He would say that I was
interfering inappropriately or behaving improperly and all that sort of thing.
As I learnt yesterday, and as I perhaps have learnt over 23 years, we cannot
win with the Liberals and Nationals. We have allowed the board to run the
company in conjunction with the CEO, and that is what it is doing. There will
be an independent review of what has gone on. Gold Corporation does have
ethical procurement practices. We will find out what has gone on and whether
they have been breached. If there have been any errors or mistakes, naturally,
that will be uncovered.