Question Without Notice No. 1472 asked in the Legislative Council on 16 November 2023 by Hon Dr Steve Thomas

Parliament: 41 Session: 1  

GRIFFIN COAL — AD ASTRA CORPORATE ADVISORY 

1472. Hon Dr STEVE THOMAS to the minister representing the Treasurer: 

I refer to the letter of engagement signed by Ad Astra Corporate Advisory on 5 April 2023, as  successful tenderer in Treasury's public commercial and economic advisory services panel  tender TREAS20010, to conduct negotiations with the insolvent and foreign-owned Griffin  Coal. 

(1) What is the hourly rate apportioned to the Ad Astra–Griffin contract as per the  commercial and economic advisory services contract? 

(2) Since 5 April 2023 to date — 

(a) how many billing hours has Ad Astra invoiced the state in relation to its  negotiations with Griffin Coal; 

(b) how many Ad Astra employees or operatives have been engaged in or have  contributed to negotiations with Griffin Coal; and 

(c) has Ad Astra engaged with Ashurst or the State Solicitor's Office in any format or  capacity pertaining to the insolvent Griffin Coal? 

Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied: 

I thank the Leader of the Opposition for some notice of the question. The following answer is  provided on behalf of the Treasurer. 

(1)–(2) Advice is being sought on the legal, probity and confidentiality issues around the  release of this information.