Premier Roger Cook won’t ask WA Labor to return political donations in wake of Mineral Resources scandal

Premier Roger Cook will not ask WA Labor to return almost $9000 in donations from Mineral Resources and has defended his Government’s “close” relationship with the company, in the wake of the scandal surrounding founder Chris Ellison. The billionaire will exit the company after an investigation found he used company resources for personal gain, as well as a raft of other governance breaches. The Mineral Resources board has also ordered Mr Ellison to pay back millions in financial penalties, but he has been given an 18-month time frame to step down as managing director. “It’s very disappointing,” Mr Cook said on Tuesday. “(MinRes) is a great Western Australian company, and a lot of Western Australians that work there, and a lot of mum and dad investors that have invested in that company put their faith in the shares of that company. “I’m really disappointed with the events that have unfolded over the last few days. “We want our companies to be run properly, and people should have confidence that when someone is at the helm of a publicly listed company, they do the right thing.” However, when asked about the company’s exit plan, Mr Cook declined to comment, saying it was a decision for Mineral Resources. “I’m not going to comment in relation to the way they’re managing that particular situation,” Mr Cook told ABC Radio. “We have now, by virtue of the statement that was made by MinRes yesterday, a set of facts which are indisputable, and I think MinRes should obviously reflect on those. “I’m sure the board will make a decision in the best interests of the company because that’s what they’re there to do, to protect the interests of the shareholders.” Mineral Resources was one of the original contributors to the State Government’s Resources Community Investment Initiative, putting $50 million towards major state projects. The company donated $8750 to WA Labor in July and has donated $3000 to the WA Liberal party. Asked if there were plans to give the money back, Mr Cook said that was “an issue for the Labor Party to resolve but there’s no reason why we would ... see why we’d be in a position to reconsider those donations”. Outside Parliament on Tuesday, he rejected Greens’ allegations that his Government’s relationship with Mineral Resources was too “cosy”. “I work closely with Mineral Resources, I work closely with all resource companies in Western Australia,” Mr Cook said. “I make no apologies for the fact that I work closely with industry to make sure that we’ve got the appropriate policy settings and the laws in place to ensure that we’ve got a thriving resources industry.” The Greens have called for an investigation into the Government’s dealings with Mineral Resources. “These are shocking findings of unethical conduct by one of WA’s most powerful businessmen,” Greens candidate Sophie McNeill said. “Premier Cook must immediately disclose what meetings his government has had with the billionaire in the past two years and what asks he has made of the State Government.” Opposition leader Shane Love stopped short of calling for the return of political donations. “I think the Government has been receiving support from a lot of corporates,” he said. “I think there is a feeling in Western Australia’s corporate world that if you want to get approvals and get the support of the Government on big projects you need to donate to the Labor Party.” Outside State Parliament on Tuesday, Labor MP Dave Kelly said 18 months was a “very long notice period, a very long notice period”. In a statement on Monday, Mr Ellison said he was “deeply sorry for the events that have occurred and the impact they have had on MinRes’ reputation”. “I apologise to the rest of the board and our people. I acknowledge that I made mistakes, some of which were driven by my wish to keep private certain events that cause my great personal embarrassment,” he said.