Mark McGowan has apologised for feedback made throughout parliamentary query time on Tuesday by which he known as long-running points with the Perth Mint a “storm in a f***ing teacup”.
The West Australian premier made the assertion after answering a query relating to a gold dilution controversy by which gold equipped to China by the Mint between 2018 and 2021 didn’t meet the Shanghai Gold Exchange’s requirements.
Mr McGowan made the remark after returning to his seat, having moments prior stated he first learnt of the issues once they have been televised on the ABC’s Four Corners program.
Turning to Deputy Premier Roger Cook, the F-bomb was picked up by the microphone on Mr McGowan’s desk.
The opposition later put ahead a separate movement calling on the state authorities to authorise a royal fee into the Perth Mint, throughout which era the Premier apologised.
“It’s been brought to my attention that during question time a private and confidential comment I made to the Deputy Premier was picked up by a microphone,” he stated.
“I apologise if anyone was offended by my language.
“I want to make it clear what I said was in the context of the issue being resolved in 2021 and tonnes of gold being sold to the Shanghai Gold Exchange in the period since then.”
Only hours previous to the “teacup” fiasco, federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers stated the Perth Mint’s conduct was “incredibly concerning”.
During the AUKUS announcement on Monday, the Treasurer described allegations that the state refinery had didn’t adjust to anti-money laundering legal guidelines and had probably enabled sanctions evasion as “very troubling”.
Mr McGowan maintains that he was not knowledgeable of the grievance lodged with the Mint over the purity of the 2 gold bars till the ABC aired the revelations final week.
“Apparently (the issues in question) came to the attention of the administration I think in September 2021,” he stated.
“The board was informed shortly thereafter in October 2021 and the issue was rectified.
“But I was, to the best of my knowledge … I was not informed of the matters.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
