9430 [COUNCIL]

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE

Questions and answers are as supplied to Hansard.

COMMITTEES AND BOARDS, FINANCIAL BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS 674. Hon KEN TRAVERS to the Leader of the House representing the Premier: (1) Do the following members of Government boards and committees receive any other income or benefits in addition to their salaries for their services on these boards- (a) Mr Richard Lewis, Chairperson, East Redevelopment Authority; and Director, Western Power Corporation; (b) Mr Barry MacKinnon, Chairperson, Disability Services Commission Board; Chairperson, Western Australian Fire Brigades Board; (c) Mr Peter Jones, Chairman, Board of Directors, Water Corporation; and Chairman, Steering Committee for Policy/Justice core Functions Project; (d) Mr Ian Warner, Director, Western Power Corporation; and Member, Public Trust Advisory Board; (e) Mr , Chairman, WA Sports Centre Trust; and (f) Mr Lloyd Stewart, Chairman, WA Lotteries Commission? (2) If yes, can the Premier state the value and nature of any additional financial benefits? (3) Do the above appointees receive any other fees, expenses or reimbursements for any other work carried out for or on behalf of the Government? Hon N.F. MOORE replied: (1)-(2) Benefits paid, as at 31 March 1999, in addition to fees or salaries are as follows: (a) Mr Richard Lewis - East Perth Redevelopment Authority has met employer superannuation liability of $1680 in this financial year. Western Power has paid the same amount in this financial year. (b) Mr Barry MacKinnon - nil (c) Mr Peter Jones - the Water Corporation paid Mr Jones $514.94 in 1996 for private vehicle usage when required to travel in the country. Steering Committee for Justice Core Functions Project - nil. (d) Mr Ian Warner - Western Power Corporation has met employer superannuation liability to the value of $2,138 in this financial year. The Public Trust Advisory Board - nil. (e) Mr Ian Laurance - nil (f) Mr Lloyd Stewart - the WA Lotteries Commission provides a car to the value of $14,500 per annum and mobile phone. The car has been provided to the holder of this position since the mid 1980s. Note: Should a member of a government board or committee be required to travel in connection with the business of that board or committee, travel and accommodation expenses would normally be met. Reimbursement for 'out of pocket' expenses would also apply. (3) The following applies as at 31 March, 1999. (a) I refer the honourable member to Parliamentary Question 173 in relation to Mr Richard Lewis, and advise that the situation has not changed. (b) Mr Barry MacKinnon is not engaged in work for or on behalf of the Government. I refer the honourable member to Parliamentary Question 167 for details of past work. (c) I refer the honourable member to Parliamentary Question 171 and 172 in relation to Mr Peter Jones, and advise that the situation has not changed. (d) Mr Ian Warner - I refer the honourable member to Parliamentary Question 176, and advise that the situation has not changed. [Wednesday, 23 June 1999] 9431

(e) Mr Ian Laurance is Chairman of the Gascoyne-Murchison Strategy Implementation Group for which he receives $18,000 per annum. (f) Mr Lloyd Stewart is a member of the Gaming Commission with fees of $6,600 pa. He is also a member of the State Government Soccer Task Force for which he receives no remuneration. PARKS AND RESERVES, UPKEEP AND MANAGEMENT EXPENDITURE 1188. Hon J.A. SCOTT to the Minister for Finance representing the Minister for the Environment: For each national park or conservation reserve where entrance fees are charged will the Minister for the Environment provide the details of the amount of money spent on upkeep/management for each year from 1993? The answer was tabled. [See paper No 1155.] ELLE MACPHERSON ADVERTISEMENTS, MEETINGS IN NEW YORK 1457. Hon KEN TRAVERS to the Minister for Tourism: In relation to a meeting between a senior officer from the Crown Solicitor’s office, Grant Donaldson, and Elle Macpherson’s lawyers in New York between February 9 and 13, 1997 - (1) Can the Minister confirm that these meetings were an attempt by the WATC to resolve issues which may have seen Elle refusing to visit to film television commercials? (2) Did Mr Donaldson keep any written records of these meetings? (3) Were details of Mr Donaldson’s trip recorded in the quarterly Travel Report tabled by the Premier? (4) If not, why not? Hon N.F. MOORE replied: (1) At the time there were issues outstanding between the Western Australian Tourism Commission, Elle Racing Pty Ltd and Ms Macpherson and these meetings were directed to resolve these issues. (2) Notes were kept which relate to the period in New York from 9-13 February 1997. (3) No. (4) There was a misunderstanding between the Crown Solicitor’s Office (CSO) and the WATC as to who would table Mr Donaldson’s travel. It has subsequently been determined that the WATC ought to have tabled the travel and this will be corrected in the next return. MR MICHAEL MURPHY 1510. Hon N.D. GRIFFITHS to the Leader of the House representing the Premier: (1) Has the Premier read written communications addressed to him dated March 11, 1999 and March 4, 1999 from Mr Michael Murphy on behalf of "The Murphy Interest"? (2) What has the Premier done as a result of the receipt of the communications? (3) What is the Premier doing as a result of the receipt of the communications? (4) What does the Premier intend to do as a result of the receipt of the communications? Hon N.F. MOORE replied: (1) Yes. (2)-(4) The letters follow previous correspondence from Mr Michael Murphy on behalf of "The Murphy Interest" which indicates that action may be taken against the State of Western Australia and others. If and when such action is instituted it will be defended vigorously. PORTS AND HARBOURS, RATE EQUIVALENTS 1590. Hon TOM STEPHENS to the Minister for Finance representing the Treasurer: (1) Will the Treasurer ensure that the rate equivalents soon to be paid by regional port authorities into Treasury will be returned immediately by the State Government to the local government authority in which each of the ports operates? (2) If not, why not? (3) Will the Treasurer table the anticipated cash value in 1999/2000 of the rate equivalents in each of the following ports - (a) Esperance; (b) Albany; (c) Geraldton; and (d) the Kimberley ports?