Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 27 November 2012:

(1) Is the Attorney-General aware of allegations made in October 2012 media coverage relating to an undeclared conflict of interest by the former Western Australian State Manager for the National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT), which would be a contravention of state NNTT policy.

(2) Can copies be provided of the NNTT policy provisions relating to conflict of interest declarations by staff in place prior to October 2012.

(3) If the former State Manager was responsible for oversight of any NNTT issues relating to Yindjibarndi matters while in her position, does the Attorney-General consider the former State Manager in breach of any conflict of interest provisions, given that she is reported to have been serving as an MGA Consulting director, her husband was engaged by the Wirlu-murra Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation and her daughter was employed by Fortescue Metals Group (FMG); if so, can the Attorney-General detail the nature of this oversight; if not, why not.

(4) Has the Attorney-General or NNTT conducted any investigations into claims by solicitor Mr Kerry Savas that the former State Manager's partner, former FMG anthropologist Mr Michael Gallagher, was in regular consultation with the former State Manager in relation to current Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation and FMG related native title issues; if so, what are the results of these investigations; if not, why not.

(5) Is the Attorney-General aware of any other NNTT employees who may have similar conflicts of interest in the exercise of their duties as a result of similar connections to mining companies operating in Western Australia.

(6) Is any of this information currently available to the public; if not, why not and will the Attorney-General take steps to ensure that such information is made available to the public; if not, why not.

(7) To the Attorney-General's knowledge, have all such conflicts of interest been properly declared by relevant persons in accordance with current NNTT policy.

(8) Has the Attorney-General or NNTT conducted any investigations, sent any directives to NNTT staff or taken any other measures since October 2012 to ensure that all NNTT employees comply with the relevant NNTT provisions on conflict of interest; if so, can copies of the results of such investigations or staff directives be provided; if not, why not.

(9) With reference to comments made by the former State Manager in April 2012 when The Australian reportedly asked if she had declared her relationship with Mr Gallagher, to which she stated that the NNTT President, Mr Graeme Neate, had knowledge of the relationship, has the Attorney General sought clarification on this matter from the NNTT President; if not, why not.

(10) Has the Attorney-General received any communications from the NNTT President on this matter; if so, can copies or a description of the substance of any such communications be provided; if not, why not.