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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 447 asked in the Legislative Assembly on 18 June 2020 by Mr W.R. Marmion

Parliament: 40 Session: 1

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.