Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Whish-Wilson for his—was there a question there? I will do my best to respond and to the highlight the fact around the process issues related to the PEP-11 decision that was taken. From those process issues, I think Senator Whish-Wilson will see that some of the assertions contained in his question are without basis.

PEP-11 was, and is, regulated, and decisions are made under the joint authority, which comprises the relevant NSW minister and the Commonwealth minister for resources. That joint authority approach advised the PEP-11 titleholder of the intent to, effectively, end the permit by not approving the application by the titleholder for a variation and suspension of the work program commitments and for an extension of the permit term. The Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 sets out the process for the cancellation of a permit which ensures a fair process—