Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The information I have, Senator Ludlam, is as follows. Following a site selection process in the Kimberley region, James Price Point was selected by the Western Australian government as the preferred site to undergo full assessment. It is the responsibility of the Western Australian government to ensure feasible alternatives outside the Kimberley region have been explored. I am advised that the James Price Point strategic assessment process is still at an early stage.

The Western Australian government is seeking approval to develop a liquefied natural gas precinct to process gas from the Browse Basin. We are working with the Western Australian government on an EPBC Act strategic assessment of this precinct. The strategic assessment process requires all potential environmental, heritage and social impacts to be fully assessed. Commonwealth concerns focus on impacts on protected species. Engagement with the Kimberley Land Council and traditional owners is another core component of the strategic assessment. Until all matters required by the terms of the strategic assessment have been appropriately investigated, the minister will not be in a position to make a decision on the plans to develop the precinct. A single LNG precinct is proposed to prevent piecemeal development by individual companies and cumulative impacts from widespread industrialisation of the Kimberley coastline.

If there are any parts of your question I have missed, I will take those on notice and seek further information from the minister.