Barry Haase (Kalgoorlie, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure, Roads and Transport) Share this | Hansard source

Minister, I have a great concern as a Western Australian and as a member that represents one-third of the Australian landmass. I have an affinity with Western Australia, my electorate and the North West Shelf in particular, and I am very concerned about shareholders of Woodside Petroleum right now because, in the last budget that you handed down, you dudded Woodside shareholders. Of course, you know what is going to ensue from this point. The budget handed down demanded that Woodside pay excise on condensate. Many in this place will not understand because they are not concerned, but I am. The Western Australian shareholders in Woodside want to know why this government would, in the dark of night, rob Woodside shareholders of $2.5 billion. Further, Minister, will you please answer whether you were involved, as the minister, in the negotiations that saw Woodside shareholders dudded to the tune of $2.5 billion, or was it something that was dropped on you as a surprise, just as it was dropped on Woodside shareholders?

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