Griffin Coal
1289. Hon Dr Steve Thomas to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for State Development:
Happy Thursday! I refer to the Cook government's extraordinary $308 million taxpayer-funded bailout of the insolvent and foreign-owned Griffin Coal company. As at 11 December 2025, I ask:
(1) How much fiscal drawdown of the $308 million "grant" has been directed to or received by the receivers, liquidators and managers of the insolvent Griffin Coal?
(2) Is the $308 million total the maximum amount the government will spend to prop up Griffin Coal to 30 June 2026 or will the fund be increased again?
(3) Will the government provide funding to Griffin Coal for activity beyond 30 June 2026?
(4) Will the government extend the Collie Coal (Griffin) Agreement Act 1979 beyond 30 June 2026, and if not, why not?
(5) If no to (3) and (4), what commercial solution is now in place to ensure the continuity of coal and electricity supply?
Hon Stephen Dawson replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. Honourable member, I am going to miss Thursdays for the next eight weeks! Anyway, this is the answer.
(1) As at 11 December 2025, $209.1 million has been provided to the receivers and managers of Griffin Coal.
(2) Yes—based on current forecasts.
(3)–(5) The government has previously stated that it expects the continuation of the mine to be on a commercial basis. The government is currently in discussions with commercial parties to determine what should occur after 30 June 2026.
