Mining billionaire Clive Palmer and his company Mineralogy are suing the WA Government for nearly $30 billion in relation to the Balmoral South iron ore project in the Pilbara region.
Mining billionaire Clive Palmer and his company Mineralogy are suing the WA Government for nearly $30 billion in relation to the Balmoral South iron ore project in the Pilbara region, the state’s Attorney-General says.
- The WA Government introduced urgent legislation to deal with the claims
- Mr Palmer is claiming billions of dollars in an arbitration against the state
- The Attorney-General says a successful claim would have ‘dire consequences’
The WA Government has introduced urgent legislation in State Parliament in an attempt to prevent the damages claim, which amounts to the state’s entire annual budget.
Attorney-General John Quigley told Parliament the mining magnate and his companies are seeking damages and losses associated with the iron ore project in the region.
The proposal was first rejected in August 2012 but was approved with conditions in July 2014 under the former Barnett government.
The bill seeks to protect Western Australia from damages to the tune of $30 billion, or $12,000 for every man, woman and child in the state.
“[The bill]seeks to deal with damages, claims arising or potentially arising from proposals which were submitted by Mr Clive Palmer, Mineralogy Pty Ltd and International Minerals Pty Ltd,” Mr Quigley told Parliament.
Attorney-General John Quigley said a successful claim would have dire consequences for the state.(ABC News: Hugh Sando)
“Those proposals were submitted in August 2012 and in June 2013 and relate to a project called the Balmoral South Iron Ore Project,” Mr Quigley explained.
“The August 2012 proposal was first rejected and then later significantly conditioned by the former Premier, the Hon. Colin Barnett.
“If Mr Palmer succeeded in his claims at anywhere near the level sought, this would have dire consequences for the finances of the state of Western Australia and all Western Australians.”
More to come.