❓ A WA parliamentary question scrutinises the cost and details of a trip to South Korea for factory acceptance testing related to the Alkimos desalination process, revealing a reporting error regarding the trip's duration. The Minister cites commercial confidentiality regarding the testing outcome.

I refer to the Report on Overseas Air Travel for the 3 months to 31 December 2024 and trip to South Korea by N Gunatilaka from 23 November to 9 December 2024 for the purpose of travelling to the LS Cablle factory to witness factory acceptance testing of the 132KV underground transmission cable and 132KV transmission cable and cable joints for the Alkimos desalination process. Can the Minister advise:(a) Whether the total cost of $3,211 for this trip covered flights and accommodation for a 17-day trip;(b) How a 17-day trip to South Korea costs $3,211 and the two five-day trips to China for the Kings Rock Windfarm Project in November 2024 for G Coetzer and K Dang cost just over $4,400 each;(c) Did any other parties make a contribution to the cost of this South Korea trip:(i) If so, which ones and how much;(d) Did N Gunatilaka raise any issues or concerns with respect to this testing:(i) If so, what were they and to whom were they reported;(e) Was a report submitted to the department and or the Government:(i) If so, can this be tabled; and(ii) If not, why not; and(f) As a result of this trip have there been any modifications to the requirements for the desalination process in Alkimos or changes to timetables:(i) If so, in what way?

(a – b) The total cost of the South Korea trip is inclusive of flights and accommodation for the actual time spent which was 8 days. The trip was erroneously reported as being 17-days and will be corrected in a subsequent report. (c) No (d-f) The outcome of the factory acceptance testing is commercial in confidence.