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Liberals want abalone company inquiry
Sophie Wandel
The State Opposition is calling for a Parliamentary Inquiry into aquaculture company Australian Bight Abalone (ABA) at Elliston.
ABA is in voluntary administration with administrators exploring future options for the business.
For some years, Elliston residents have questioned how the business was allowed to set up and operate in a sensitive environmental area.
Acting Opposition Fisheries Minister Mitch Williams said yesterday he agreed with colleague Adrian Pederick who called for a select committee inquiry to shed some light on a series of unanswered questions.
"It seems millions of investor dollars could be lost ... and there is a series of questions into the operation of the business and its licenses, which I think the aquaculture industry would be looking for answers to," Mr Williams said.
He said an inquiry would help clear the air for the industry and save the same mistakes being made again.
"I reiterate Adrian's call for an inquiry, which should probably be at the level of a Parliamentary Inquiry."
But State Fisheries Minister Paul Caica has rejected the call for a select committee and said he was confident that all transactions undertaken with respect to leases and licences held by ABA had been in accordance with the Aquaculture Act.
He said there was no need to review decisions made in relation to the granting and conversion of leases held by ABA.
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