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Posted: 2021-07-30 08:37:36

The lead commissioner on the Perth Casino Royal Commission has outlined his financial relationship with billionaire Kerry Stokes, following his declaration of a personal relationship with him earlier in the week.

On Monday, commissioner Neville Owen said that it was "in the interests of transparency" that he outlined his relationship with the Seven West Media executive chair.

"None of this raises in my mind a conflict of interest, but in the interests of transparency I make these statements," he said.

"One of the witnesses who will appear is Ms Maryna Fewster. She is the chief executive officer of Seven West Media Ltd and is responsible to the board, Seven West Media Ltd. 

"I have a close personal association with the chairman of the board to whom she reports."

20 banks have been ordered to pay more than $1.5 billion to liquidators
Commissioner Neville Owen said he outlined his relationship with the Seven West Media executive chair in the interests of transparency.

At the close of Friday's hearing, Mr Owen said he was also the director of a company associated with the family interests of Mr Stokes.

This company is Clabon Pty Ltd, which is the shareholder of Australian Capital Equity Pty Ltd, Mr Stokes's private investment company.

Other directors of Clabon include Richard Court, former Japan ambassador and WA premier, and Sydney Airport chair David Gonski.

Among many business activities, Australian Capital Equity has been chosen by the WA government as a preferred proponent to redevelop the iconic East Perth Power Station.

'Satisfied' no conflict exists: Commissioner

On Friday, Mr Owen said that he made the earlier statement because Seven West Media's WA chief executive was due to give evidence soon.

"Now that statement was made in a particular context — namely, the calling of a witness who was responsible to the board of that company," he said.

"I think that is enough for that purpose.

"I am satisfied that neither that and any other aspect of my personal association with the chairman conflicts with my obligations to or in this royal commission."

Premier 'not particularly concerned' about link

Earlier in the day, WA Premier Mark McGowan said that there was "no problem with knowing someone" but the issue was whether there was a conflict.

"Knowing someone is one thing but conflicts are carefully defined and I don't think the commissioners had breached that in this point in time," Mr McGowan said.

Later, after Mr Owen's declaration, Mr McGowan said he was not aware of a conflict.

Mr McGowan said he was not worried there could be a potential or perceived conflict with the royal commission scrutinising Seven West executives.

"When you're someone who's lived in Western Australia for years and years and years, chances are you'll know people, chances are you'll have lots of friendships, lots of acquaintances, you may serve on boards or have worked in businesses or the like," he said.

"We're not a big enough place to avoid that, so I'm not particularly concerned about this."

On Monday, Mr Owen also declared two other personal relationships which he did not think were a conflict of interest:

  • Some of his children were friends with the brother of Joshua Preston, the former Crown Resorts legal officer who will give evidence on Monday
  • A Crown Perth employee who was at school and university with one of his children
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