John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Hansard source

I certainly am aware of recent media reports concerning the results of tests ordered by the Montara commission of inquiry in relation to seawater samples which I think were provided by Senator Siewert. Those samples came from near Rote Island and off the south coast of West Timor, as I understand it. The commission asked a group called Leeder Consulting to analyse the samples and, according to revision 1 of the analysis report from Leeder Consulting, dated 18 February this year, the samples were received by them on 19 January. I am informed that page 3 of the Leeder Consulting report states:

… these sample containers are inappropriate for the sampling of oil spills …

In making this conclusion, it references the International Maritime Organisation Guidelines for Sampling and Identification of Oil Spills. I am also informed that page 17 of the Leeder Consulting report concludes that, with respect to the second and third samples, the whole oil ratios of these samples are similar to the whole oil ratios of fresh Montara crude. The report also suggests that these samples have a positive match with Montara crude based on biomarker ratios.

It is now up to Commissioner Borthwick to assess the appropriate weight to be given to the report and the oil samples, and the documents which gave rise to it. Like all evidence presently before the commission, I think the material is untested. The commissioner, as I understand it, is yet to make any conclusion— (Time expired)