Port review claims refuted

The Opposition has been accused of scaremongering after claiming on Tuesday the State Government was considering privatising and reducing local control of Bunbury Port Authority.

Transport Minister Simon O’Brien said the Government was undertaking a review of the WA Port Authorities Act, which included evaluating the structure of governance of State port authorities, including Bunbury.

He denied claims by Opposition Transport spokesman Ken Travers the review would see operations privatised and local control reduced.

‘‘The significant growth of the mining sector and the flow-on effect to ports means it is timely to examine the Act and determine if there are changes required that will better reflect the evolving needs of the State,’’ he said.

‘‘There has been no suggestion made of closing ports, amalgamating ports or privatising them.

‘‘Mr Travers has also claimed the review has been completed; it has only just begun, with just one meeting out of the way.

"We will wait and see what the review produces.’’

Mr O’Brien said the Government will engage in consultation once the review was completed and before any change was adopted.

Mr Travers accused the Government’s review of starting in secret earlier this month, adding that the Government had already imposed greater control over the decision-making ability of Bunbury Port Authority.

‘‘The terms of reference for the latest secret review are clearly aimed at increasing central control over the local decision-making of port authorities, including Bunbury,’’ he said.

South West MLC Adele Farina said Bunbury Port Authority had long been dedicated to working with local communities to maximise the economic growth of the South West.

She said a review of the Port Authorities Act was only tabled last year by Mr O’Brien and that the latest review was unnecessary.

‘‘I would be very concerned about any diminution of local decision making for the Bunbury Port Authority,’’ Ms Farina said.

The Bunbury Port Authority declined to comment.