Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

[by video link] Could I also add how disappointed I am that Labor's not supporting this amendment today. It is good to hear the minister's reassurance that she will be bringing some legislation forward for debate. But, while Senator Small is in the chamber, could I remind senators what he said yesterday in his contribution. He said in terms of the liabilities to the industry and the taxpayer, which he outlined—$17.8 billion over the next 10 years—that we should reduce that liability 'with smart regulation' and 'industry cooperation,' which suggests to me that there's a move afoot here to negotiate with the industry, or go through a consultation process in terms of the upcoming legislation in this place, that involves a bigger push by the industry to get out of their liabilities that they signed up to, going back to when they originated these projects. It's no secret that there's a big push on, through APPEA and other organisations, to leave these infrastructure assets, or whatever you want to call them, in the ocean and reduce their future liabilities. So I would urge Labor to reconsider their opposition to this amendment. The chamber today has the chance to make Woodside pay for this.

There are two other points I'd like to make in relation to this debate and this amendment. Senator Small said that I've shamelessly defamed him. I'm sorry, Senator Small, if that's what you think. That is not what I have done today. I have simply outlined that you came into the chamber and did the bidding of Woodside and the fossil fuel industry. Your words will speak for themselves. I've always referred to—