Mark McGowan apologises after dropping F-bomb in parliament

The West Australian Premier has apologised for swearing in parliament after answering questions over the Perth Mint’s gold purity scandal.

Mark McGowan has apologised for comments made during parliamentary question time on Tuesday in which he called long-running issues with the Perth Mint a “storm in a f***ing teacup”.

The West Australian premier made the statement after answering a question regarding a gold dilution controversy in which gold supplied to China by the Mint between 2018 and 2021 did not meet the Shanghai Gold Exchange’s standards.

Mr McGowan made the comment after returning to his seat, having moments prior said he first learnt of the concerns when they were televised on the ABC’s Four Corners program.

Turning to Deputy Premier Roger Cook, the F-bomb was picked up by the microphone on Mr McGowan’s desk.

Premier Mark McGowan apologises for swearing during parliamentary question time on Tuesday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sharon Smith

The opposition later put forward a separate motion calling on the state government to authorise a royal commission into the Perth Mint, during which time the Premier apologised.

“It’s been brought to my attention that during question time a private and confidential comment I made to the Deputy Premier was picked up by a microphone,” he said.

“I apologise if anyone was offended by my language.

“I want to make it clear what I said was in the context of the issue being resolved in 2021 and tonnes of gold being sold to the Shanghai Gold Exchange in the period since then.”

Only hours prior to the “teacup” fiasco, federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the Perth Mint’s conduct was “incredibly concerning”.

The comment was picked up by the microphone on the Premier’s desk. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sharon Smith.

During the AUKUS announcement on Monday, the Treasurer described allegations that the state refinery had failed to comply with anti-money laundering laws and had potentially enabled sanctions evasion as “very troubling”.

Mr McGowan maintains that he was not informed of the complaint lodged with the Mint over the purity of the two gold bars until the ABC aired the revelations last week.

“Apparently (the issues in question) came to the attention of the administration I think in September 2021,” he said.

“The board was informed shortly thereafter in October 2021 and the issue was rectified.

“But I was, to the best of my knowledge … I was not informed of the matters.”

Originally published as Mark McGowan apologises after dropping F-bomb in parliament