Fuel and Energy Minister Geoff Gallop said today he had been advised that the developer of the proposed new Collie power station - Asea Brown Boveri - had cancelled meetings planned this week in Perth and the South-West.
The meetings were to inform local community and industry representatives about the project.
Dr Gallop said that although ABB would not be attending these meetings, its negotiators continued to work closely with SECWA.
"I have been advised by SECWA that negotiations on major commercial issues have yet to be resolved and that ABB believes it would be inappropriate to present details of the project to community representatives at this time," Dr Gallop said.
"The details of these commercial issues are a matter between SECWA and ABB.
"Although the Government is not directly involved in the negotiations our position is clear. This is a private sector project. The Government's interest is in generating employment, stimulating regional economies and ensuring that energy prices in Western Australia continue to fall.
"I have contacted SECWA to reaffirm that the Government's overriding objective is to ensure that a privately-owned power station delivers a competitive price for electricity on acceptable terms and conditions.
"It remains for the private sector to deliver on this key point."
