Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Hansard source

In relation to compensation, I think I addressed that issue yesterday, but I will repeat it now: it is a matter that is dealt with by the courts. An example would be a permit that was removed on the Great Barrier Reef and the courts deciding that there was no compensation in that case. Senator Milne, I again reject your proposition that, in relation to the sea, this is open slather. There are designated areas that are looked at, allotted and offered. It is not a matter of an oil company deciding that they want to go to a particular area. It is a matter of an offer process that the government puts up. In relation to the pre-release of acreage for consultation, there is consultation with the Department of the Environment and Heritage prior to that pre-release.