Slade Brockman (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. I refer the minister to the confronting revelations exposed though a recent Four Corners expose on Perth Mint, which unearthed alleged gold doping, money laundering and a complete breakdown of compliance and reporting requirements. I also note AUSTRAC's investigation into the Perth Mint, the London Bullion Market Association's incident review process that's underway, revelations around the US state model commodity code coming to light and, importantly, comments from your Treasurer, who described these revelations as 'incredibly concerning and very troubling'. Noting that the Western Australian opposition is calling for a royal commission, what is the response of the Albanese government?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Brockman for the question. Matters relating to the Perth Mint's operations are a matter for the Perth Mint and the Western Australian government as its owner. The federal government—

Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What about AUSTRAC?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Hang on a second, Senator Scarr. I know you like to answer my questions before I get the opportunity! Put your seatbelt on for a second. The federal government takes compliance matters very seriously, and the AUSTRAC audit of the Gold Corporation, which trades as the Perth Mint, assessing compliance with anti-money-laundering and counterterrorism finance law, is due to report in May 2023. They are the responsibilities of the federal government. They are in place. That is the position of the Albanese government. Calls for a royal commission by the WA opposition should be matters that the WA parliament deals with, and the suitable response should be there. But we are satisfied with the work that is underway via AUSTRAC doing their assessment, which is due to report to the government, or due to release its report, in May 2023.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Brockman, first supplementary?

Slade Brockman (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Perth Mint is a $21.8 billion business, trading with customers in more than 130 countries. With a conflicted WA Premier refusing to instigate a royal commission through fear of what will be exposed, will the Albanese government take action and engage with Premier McGowan over the need for a royal commission into Gold Corporation and Perth Mint to retain the confidence of our trading partners and the Australian public?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I don't agree with the insinuations in Senator Brockman's question.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, it was a pretty long preamble there. The Western Australian Premier, Mr McGowan, has made it clear that the government is aware of these matters. There is presently an audit underway and the Perth Mint is also investing heavily in anticriminal behaviour measures and compliance measures. As to whether there's a political dispute that the opposition in WA is running, which you are running by proxy through this chamber, Senator Brockman, I think that's largely a matter for the Western Australian parliament. If you want to have a say in that, maybe you should stand over there and have a say in the parliament there. They might need a couple of extra bodies over there. On the matter of substance, that is why there is an AUSTRAC investigation underway, which is due to report in May. It is serious. It's being handled— (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Brockman, a second supplementary?

Slade Brockman (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will remind the minister that the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act is a Commonwealth act. Has the government had any conversations with the Premier to urge him to take action over this important issue regarding the reputation of Australia in the international marketplace? If the Premier won't act, will the Albanese government?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Based on the answers I've given you to the previous two questions, both governments are acting. There is an audit underway. There's an assessment underway by AUSTRAC, which is appropriate, and a report to be provided in May. I don't know how much faster you can be in assessing the concerns that have been raised—the serious concerns that have been raised—around the Perth Mint. AUSTRAC, with their responsibilities, have to assess compliance with anti-money-laundering and counterterrorism financing laws, which is something I did respond to in the first question. That is their responsibility. So the Commonwealth, through its agencies, is responding to the areas that it has responsibility for, and the report will be provided in May, which is two months away. I think that is a pretty swift response. As to conversations between governments, I have no doubt that there have been some. (Time expired)