Premier calls on Liberal Party to come clean about flawed legal advice

22/9/03
Premier Geoff Gallop said today it had now become very clear that the Liberal Party Opposition wanted to revive plans to build a marina development along the environmentally sensitive Ningaloo coast.
Dr Gallop was responding to the latest claims by Liberal Party MLC, Norman Moore, that the Premier did not have the power to reject the Maud's Landing development because his authority was allegedly invalidated by a Cabinet reshuffle on June 27.
The Premier announced his decision to reject the marina development near Coral Bay on July 4 and initiated a process aimed at protecting the Ningaloo coast for future generations.
"Mr Moore's claims are laughable and show that the Liberal Party will say and do anything to revive the marina development proposal at Ningaloo," Dr Gallop said.
"Advice from the Crown Solicitor's office shows that my delegated responsibility on the Maud's Landing decision did not lapse as a result of the Cabinet reshuffle.
"The advice also stated that nothing raised so far has called into question the validity of my power to make the decision to reject the marina development near Coral Bay."
The Premier also called on Opposition Leader Colin Barnett to come clean about where Mr Moore was receiving his flawed legal advice.
"I want to know who's responsible for providing the advice, who's paying for it and what relationship Mr Moore has with these unknown and ill-advised sources," Dr Gallop said.
Premier's office: 9222 9475