Parliamentary Debates (HANSARD) THIRTY-NINTH PARLIAMENT FIRST SESSION 2014 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Tuesday, 16 September 2014 Legislative Assembly Tuesday, 16 September 2014 THE SPEAKER (Mr M.W. Sutherland) took the chair at 2.00 pm, and read prayers. NATIONAL TERRORISM PUBLIC ALERT — UPGRADE Statement by Acting Minister for Police MR J.H.D. DAY (Kalamunda — Acting Minister for Police) [2.01 pm]: As Acting Minister for Police I wish to advise the house that on Friday, 12 September 2014, the Prime Minister announced that Australia’s national terrorism public alert level was to be raised from medium to high. The decision to raise the alert level was based on advice from the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation and other security and intelligence agencies. The change in alert level was prompted not by a particular plot or knowledge of a specific attack plan, but because of concern surrounding the increasing number of Australians connected to, working with, or inspired by terrorist groups such as the Islamic State and the Levant—ISIL—Jabhat al-Nusru and al-Qaeda. The threat posed has been increasing for more than a year. More recently, the Australian government has become deeply concerned about Australians involved in the Syrian and Iraqi conflicts and the domestic ramifications arising from that. Australia’s terrorism public alert system has been at medium since its inception in 2003. Raising the level to high means that a terrorist attack is likely, but it does not mean that a terrorist attack will occur. Raising the level is a reflection of increasing concerns by Australian authorities that it may occur. However, the high alert is intended to raise vigilance and awareness in the community. The Australian government has provided more than $630 million to enhance the counterterrorism capacity of the Australian Federal Police and other agencies, including ASIO, the Australian Secret Intelligence Service and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service. In order to act in accordance with the high alert level, Western Australia Police will increase its vigilance of and presence in places of mass gatherings and major public events, and review its security plans to ensure they remain appropriate. I am confident that Western Australia Police is well trained, equipped and prepared to deal with any threat to Western Australia. It has plans in place to deal with any eventuality and regularly exercises those plans. It is also a part of a strong national counterterrorism network and works closely and regularly with other jurisdictions and Australian government agencies. There is no suggestion that the Western Australian public need to change the way they go about their daily business. However, members of the public can assist by being vigilant and reporting any suspicious activities to the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400 or by contacting local police. Suspicious activities might include: unusual behaviour on or around public transport or in key public locations; offensive or extremist propaganda being displayed in the community; or stickers on vehicles or graffiti that promote racism or extremist ideology. Western Australia is a diverse community, comprising people known to be inclusive and tolerant. It is important that those values are remembered and that appropriate respect is paid to all in our community. WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CHINESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Statement by Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interests DR M.D. NAHAN (Riverton — Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interests) [2.04 pm]: I am pleased to inform the house that the Western Australian Chinese Chamber of Commerce held its annual gala ball in Perth this past weekend. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1987 and derived from the Chung Wah Association, which is, as many members will know, at 105 years old Western Australia’s oldest culturally diverse association. In 1987 there was a large increase in migrants from South-East Asia, many of whom were of Chinese ethnicity, and they needed to meet and learn how to do business in their adopted country and also how to interact with the wider community. Therefore, they formed the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the mission of which is to work towards a beneficial commercial relationship between Australia and Asia, through networking and cooperation. Recognising the importance of advising the community on transacting business in Asia, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce has organised many trade missions to countries such as China, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, amongst others. To help WA increase its footing in Asia, it has organised many cooperative agreements with overseas chambers of commerce and government sectors. For example, memoranda of understanding were signed with the Zhejiang Federation of Industry and Commerce in 2012 and with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Ho Chi Minh City in May 2014. 6278 [ASSEMBLY — Tuesday, 16 September 2014] The Chinese Chamber of Commerce often hosts overseas trade delegations that are keen to explore business opportunities in WA, enabling networking with the local business community. It also organises many business and social activities featuring speakers of international repute. The organisation also supports charitable causes, including establishing a scholarship fund for students in China, as well as donating prizes to WA undergraduates who have excelled in business studies related to Asia. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce annual gala ball is widely regarded as one of Perth’s most prestigious social events. More than 500 guests, including local and overseas dignitaries, as well as prominent community and business leaders, attended the black-tie event, which is an excellent platform for corporate exposure and networking on a prestigious and international scale. I commend and thank the WA Chinese Chamber of Commerce on its contribution to actively developing the economy of Western Australia. CITY OF CANNING — APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONERS Statement by Minister for Local Government MR A.J. SIMPSON (Darling Range — Minister for Local Government) [2.06 pm]: I inform the house that the Council of the City of Canning was suspended on 27 November 2012, following the recommendation of a departmental inquiry report into the council. A panel inquiry commenced on 1 April 2013, and, on 10 June 2014, I tabled the “Report of the Panel of Inquiry into the City of Canning”. On the basis of the matters identified by the panel inquiry, the inquirer, Dr Chris Kendall, recommended to me that the council be dismissed. After careful consideration, and receipt of advice and submissions from the City of Canning and the suspended elected members, I recommended to the Governor that the council be dismissed. Today the Governor in Executive Council issued an order to dismiss the council. The order will be gazetted tomorrow and will take effect from midnight tonight. A panel of three commissioners will be appointed to carry out the functions of an elected council. They are Mr Steven Cole, Ms Stephanie Smith and Mr David Gray. Mr Cole will be the chairperson of commissioners. An election for ratepayers to elect a new council is required to be conducted within two years from the date the dismissal takes effect, and is scheduled for 17 October 2015. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Linton Reynolds, AM, LGM, JP, the outgoing commissioner of the City of Canning, for his service to the city. I am still considering the remainder of Dr Kendall’s recommendations. QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AUTHORITY — GOVERNANCE PRACTICES CHANGE 671. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier: It is good to be back! I refer to changes to conflict of interest governance arrangements at the Environmental Protection Authority and the involvement of the Public Sector Commissioner in those matters, as detailed in the James Price Point Supreme Court judgement and freedom of information documents. (1) Has the Premier asked the Public Sector Commissioner to fully explain his involvement in changes to EPA governance arrangements since the extent of this debacle came to light last week? (2) Have EPA conflict of interest governance arrangements been arranged with the Premier during meetings between the Premier and the Public Sector Commissioner since late 2008? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(2) This is a piece of legislation we are about to deal with to validate 25 projects, most of them probably in production and others under construction—projects that employ thousands of Western Australians. Again, as was stated by the Minister for Environment and me last week, there is no suggestion that any member of the EPA in any way behaved improperly, or that their shareholders, which may have generally been through superannuation funds, influenced their decisions. Indeed, the decisions were not flawed; there was no improper behaviour. However, as a precautionary measure, the government intends to validate that so that they cannot be exposed to vexatious litigation, or whatever might happen. I understand that the changes to the procedures relating to the declaration of conflicts of interest were made within the Environmental Protection Authority. They were found to be not as precise, detailed or careful as required with the approval of the James Price Point project. The James Price Point project is not part of this validation. The environmental assessment is being repeated for that. We will wait and see, but I would expect the same result will occur based on scientific evidence. With respect to the Public Sector Commissioner, the Leader of the Opposition asked me about conversations going back to 2008. If he were serious, that question should have been put on notice. Mr W.J. Johnston interjected. [ASSEMBLY — Tuesday, 16 September 2014] 6279 Mr C.J. BARNETT: Sorry, I do not have a memory that goes back to 2008 on a daily basis. I cannot recall — Ms M.M. Quirk: You can’t remember your promises! Mr C.J.