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

I thank Senator Siewert for her questions. We are working with the Western Australian government on a strategic assessment of this proposal. The state assessment process continues, and finalisation of the state report must precede finalisation of the strategic assessment documents. The strategic assessment process requires all potential environmental, heritage and Indigenous impacts to be fully assessed. I am aware there are a range of views in relation to this proposal. The government will not be in a position to make a decision on the plan to develop the precinct until all matters required by the terms of the strategic assessment have been appropriately investigated.

The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority has finalised its draft recommendation report, with draft approval conditions, and completed a two-week public appeals period. I am advised the Western Australian Office of the Appeals Convenor is considering appeals received before providing a report to the Western Australian Minister for Environment for final decision. The government will not be in a position to make a decision on this proposal until the Western Australian government has finalised its strategic assessment documents to meet the terms of the strategic assessment agreement.

As to whales, in Australian waters they are protected under national environmental law. Humpback whales migrate annually along the Kimberley's Dampier Peninsula coast, including past James Price Point, the site of the Western Australian government's proposed Browse LNG precinct. Under the terms of reference for the joint federal-state strategic assessment for the Browse LNG precinct, potential impacts to protected matters such as humpback whales must be appropriately investigated. The government will not be in a position to make a decision on this proposal until all matters required by the terms of the strategic assessment— (Time expired)