Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee [Part 2], , 31:51 to 39:09
The committee reviews whistleblower allegations concerning the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme and details recent criminal convictions for fraud.
Topics: Whistleblower protections, Integrity, Renewable energy
Speakers: Jane Wardlaw, Hon Sarah Henderson, Tony Chappel, Hon Murray Watt, Mr. Tony Chappel, Interjection, Ms. Jane Wardlaw
>> You know, Minister, I understand the point you're making. [clears throat] I'm just trying to get the data. If you can if you can just please
>> I think it's important recognize we're talking about a minuscule number.
>> So can I go to 26? >> Can I go to please to this financial year? [clears throat] >> Uh how many have been so there's been 119 additional referrals.
>> That's right. And I think in terms
>> on top of the 355
>> well that's received so far this year. So that that 119 is for the current financial year. uh that have been received to date.
>> Okay. On top of the 355 referrals in the last financial year, right?
>> That's right. And
>> and of the 119 referrals, how many are under investigation?
>> Uh well, a number of these are still being assessed. I think five so far this financial year have progressed to investigation. Um, and we can we can get some particulars about the categories that those might fall into back to you on notice.
>> So, when the ABC reported uh about the made the report about the whistleblower concerns about unlicensed foreign workers, did your agency investigate those allegations?
>> Well, we consider any allegation that we receive. I mean,
>> no, Mr. Chappel, I'm sorry. You're the chief executive officer.
>> Yes.
>> Did your agency investigate those whistleblower allegations about unlicensed foreign workers?
>> Um I have not been in the I wasn't in the role at the time I think those allegations are made. I think my colleagues might have some further information that might be useful.
>> Uh yes. So just to sort of go back on the numbers. So we currently have 19 investigations on hand that are active. Um so sorry so and seven of those are active and 12 are going through sort of a resolution phase. So that could be because we're looking at progressing them through administrative decision-m processes. Um they might be going through legal review or other sort of external prosecution pathways. uh in relation to the ABC and inquiries we >> uh absolutely have received referrals in relation to we've had a number of conversations with the ABC journalists. So yes, we absolutely have looked into the investigations sorry into the allegations that have
>> and so uh how have you progressed those discussions into the whistleblower allegations?
So this I guess is part of our overarching sort of investigation framework. Um we generally wouldn't sort of comment on activities that are actually sort of underway. But are you
sorry Mr. Are you investigating this
war? >> We can't we can't make the witnesses repeatedly try to answer questions only for Senator Hanson to shut Henderson to shut them down. She could at least give the officials an opportunity to ask
questions. allowing Miss Wardlaw to finish her her response.
>> I think anyone who's watching can see that you've been interrupting the witnesses as they're attempting to
>> I don't want to litigate this point. Let's move along. We'll go questions and answers. Uh Miss Wlaw or Mr. Chappel, if you want to complete that answer and >> Thank you, Ch. Look, just to round out the answer, we take any allegation extremely seriously, but it is really not appropriate for us to make any further detailed comment on any specific matter that's under consideration or investigation.
>> Okay. But Mr. Mr. Chappel, these are very, very, very alarming allegations. What steps has the agency taken as a result of your discussions with the ABC journalist about these whistleblower allegations?
>> Again, those are matters that are under live consideration. So, it's it's really um not appropriate for us to to give specific comments on that until we conclude those matters.
>> Potential investigation or you're considering them at the moment, are you?
Well, I think they may be in either category, but I don't think I can make any further comment without risking prejudicing any potential.
>> I'm not asking you to name No, no, Mr. Chappel. I'm not asking you to name any individual. >> So, there's no risk of prejudice. I'm just asking I'm I'm understanding wanting to understand the the performance of your agency. Yes. >> When these very serious allegations have been broadcast nationally, what steps have you taken in relation to those allegations? So there's been discussions, there's live consideration, but are any of these matters under investigation?
>> They've said yes. They've given you numbers.
>> No, no. Um, Minister, you're not listening. I'm talking about the ABC whistleblower.
>> They're still I think it's fair to say they're they're still under consideration. Some may be under investigation. Some may not have progressed to that point. We take all allegations um of misconduct in the scheme extremely seriously. uh and I think we really need um to uh take some advice on any further particulars that we might provide to ensure we're not prejudicing any potential processes.
>> Miss Border, let me can I come back to you? You were giving an answer in relation to a criminal conviction and as part of that, can I ask you whether any companies have been banned from delivering these services under these
Uh so in relation to the criminal convictions, so far there have been individual installers. Um so we've secured four criminal convictions uh since April of last year. So the most recent one is the one I referred to as an individual, Mr. Tony Payne. Um he [clears throat] received a criminal conviction uh and a fine. We've also uh undertaken criminal action against a Perthbased installer. Um that's sort of related to again he's sort of related to a company that is currently before the court. So we >> prefer not to provide additional information there. Uh then on the 12th of June 2025 there was an individual uh who again was using um false and misleading information which he relied upon to create STC's. Uh so he is completing 200 hours of community service. >> Uh and finally the fourth individual um again falsely claimed to have installed a number of PV systems um despite not being present. So this is another one where the person registered was convicted.
>> Okay. I'm I'm going to ask uh if you if I could please have more details to the extent that you're able to provide in relation to the convictions. But I'm just wanting to understand have any individuals been banned or companies been banned from accessing the scheme
>> So we've permanently suspended the registration of four shreds participants as they no longer met the fit [laughter] and proper person requirements. So that was for Hello Solar, Fenix Trading, Asen Solar, an emerging environmental group and so they will no longer be able to participate. Um we've temporarily suspended
>> that's one that's one
>> oh sorry that was four different four
separate right