443. Hon ALISON XAMON to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Local Government:
This question without notice of which some notice has been given is on behalf of Hon Robin Chapple who is out of the chamber on urgent parliamentary business.
I refer to the article “Marble Bar Airport the target of $8.5 million COVID-19 package” published in the North West Telegraph of 24 April 2020.
(1) Would the minister agree that the aim of funding is to support small business and local concerns?
(2) Can the minister please table any conditions related to expenditure of the funding by local governments?
(3) Given that the airport at Marble Bar is to be used primarily by industry, does the minister consider this use of community funding to be inequitable?
(4) Considering a time line and funding are generally secured before a project commences, could the minister please explain how this COVID-19 emergency funding was used to fast-track the project?
(5) Would the minister comment on the use of emergency funding to build an airport at Marble Bar?
Hon SUE ELLERY replied:
I make the point that some elements of the question are asking for an opinion; nevertheless, I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The funding package referred to by the honourable member is an initiative by the Shire of East Pilbara, not the McGowan government.
(2) The minister is not aware of any government grants or funding for this project.
(3) The use of local government funds for Marble Bar Airport is a matter for the Shire of East Pilbara.
(4) See the answer to (2).
(5) The use of local government funds for Marble Bar Airport is a matter for the Shire of East Pilbara.