Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 1 August 2011:

In regard to the recent decision by the department to allow Shell Development (Australia) Pty Ltd to drill the Palta-1 exploration well, approximately 50km west of the Ningaloo Marine Park border:

(1)   Why was Shell's proposal to drill the Palta-1 exploration well not assessed at the full level of environmental assessment.

(2)   What is considered a reasonable buffer to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization listed World Heritage site.

(3)   Is the Minister aware that his decision is being reported in international media such as The Guardian in the United Kingdom.

(4)   Was there a full economic assessment of the impacts an oil spill or leak would have on key industries, such as tourism and fishing; if not, when will a full economic assessment of potential impacts of oil spills be included as part of the assessment process.