Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I can confirm that we have constructed, with all in this place, a trigger that can ensure we direct current exports going offshore to inshore deposits. The question really goes to the timing of this mechanism and this trigger. If those opposite had actually focused on the piece of legislation and the regulations that flowed from that, they would know it doesn't matter when we pull the trigger between now and 1 November; the trigger doesn't come into effect until 1 January. You are just going to have to wait until after you open your presents! Just take a chill pill about this. We have until 1 November to pull the trigger on this mechanism, which has been put in place to send a clear signal to industry—which have obviously got the signal because there have been significant changes with regard to gas being placed on the domestic market.

I call on those opposite to actually try to better understand the circumstances. I will explain again for their benefit, Mr President. You can pull that trigger today or tomorrow, up to 1 November, and on 1 January, by agreement with the industry and those in this place, that trigger will take place. It gives the industry two full months, eight weeks, to get that in place. The most important aspect of this is that we need to ensure that this is pulled when industry aren't moving themselves.