DEClASSIFIED
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Incorporated,
by leave
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Clerk at the Table:
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REPORT TO THE .CHAiRMAN, GREAT
PARK AUTHORITY
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PROBITY AND" GOVERNANCE REVIEW- JON GRAYSON
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ROBERT CORNALL AO
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JANUARY 2014
DECLASSIFIED
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having a conflict of interest. The first is Queensland's top public servant Joo Grayson
who represents the State Government on the board. He owns a one sixth share of a
company called Gasfields Water and Waste Services founded In June this year.
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LOUISE MATHfESON1il, GREENPEAC£: This particular company stands to profit from
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the growth of the gas industry and the gas industry In order to expand wants to have
massive new developments, particularly in Gladstone. So we think there are
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questions about whether Mr Grayson would benefit from the expansion of gas parts
in Gladstone.
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Mr Grayson told me the objective of Gasfields Water and Waste Management Pty Ltd is to
develop a common user approach tQ waste coal seam gas water collection and treatment on
the Darling Downs.
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Mr Grayson answered the Issues raised ln the ABC Program about Gasfields Water and
Waste Management Pty Ltd in his responses to questions S, 6 and 10 set out in Attachment
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6. It is not necessary to repeat the whole of those responses in the text of this Report.
However, I note key points are:
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ofGWWS
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• (Subject to any developments of which I am unaware) GWWS has nat entered Into
any cantract with a CSG producer, has no revenue, no assets and I hove not received
any tfividends. I understand however that GWWS is continuing to pursue
opportunities in CSG waste water management
" Should It succeed, GWWS actMtfes would be restrfcted to the Darling Downs
assisting CSG producers with managing waste
• GWWS has no involvement in CSG extraction or export
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The only port development relevant to the export of CSG is Curtis Island _at Glod.1tone.
Approvals of tfle relevant Curtis Island LNG export terminals are not within the
jurisdiction of the GBRMPA 1;md did not require GBRMPA approval
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Three of the four terminals were approved by the former Queensland Government
well before my appointment to the pasition of Director-General ... , The fourth has
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I remain a passive shareholder In GWWS, and played no role in developing the
corporate restructure which resulted in Its Incorporation. I have not been a director
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"' Note that Ms Matthiesson's name is spelt incorrectly In the transcript
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DECLASSIFIED
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TheyQ also have links to the family of the Infamous NSW politician Eddie Obeld who
Is currently facing another corruption Inquiry.
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During the course ofthe Program, the reporter made the following reference to Eddie Obeid
Jr:.
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CON OR DUFFY: Untlf two months ago one of the five other shares in Gasfield Water
was owned by Eddie Obeid Jr, the son of notorious former NSW minister Eddie Obeid
who was found to have actl!!d corruptly in other minfng deals. Eddie Obeid Jr sold his
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stake in August.
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Mr Grayson provided the following information about Eddie Obeid Jnr and the Obeid
fami!y21 :
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Edward Obeld Jnr was a shareholder In GWWS at its incorporation, and briefly
thereafter but is no longer a shareholder -
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Edward Obeld Jnr was not {to my knowledge) involved In AW/-P 2 at the time the
partnering discussions commenced. It became apparent later In the course of the
negotiations that Edward ObeidJnr had become involved in AWH (although the form
or extent of his financial interest in AWH was not clear). Edward Obeid Jnr conclw:fed
negotiations with me on behalf of AWH, resulting in the incorporation of GWM""
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• Aport from a couple of brief early calls with Edward Obeid Jnr to check on progress,
contact with AWH thereafter was with engineering cmd commercia( employees of
AWH who assisted me to develop the C5G waste water proposal
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I have na connection with Eddie Obeid Snr or his ch{fdren, ar~d
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I understand Dennis Jabaur (a shareholder In GWWS) to be a cousin of the Obelds. f
met Dennis when he was employed by AWH, in a commercfal rote and had significant
contact with him in developing .the CSG proposal.
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"'That is, Jon Grayson and Tony Mooney
"See Attachment G, responses to Questions 11 anti 12
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" Gasfields Water Management Ply !.td, tho predecessor company of Gaslields Water and Wast• Management
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Australian Water Holdings Pty Ltd
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