Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. Given that the Kimberley gas hub strategic assessment joint agreement between the federal and Western Australian governments states in its terms of reference that the site assessment should include an analysis of viable gas processing options outside the Kimberley, including locations that already have substantial industrial infrastructure, what work is the minister aware of that has been done to look at alternative sites? Have sites other than James Price Point in the Kimberley been subject to any meaningful technical or economic assessment?

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

The information I have, Senator Ludlam, is as follows. Following a site selection process in the Kimberley region, James Price Point was selected by the Western Australian government as the preferred site to undergo full assessment. It is the responsibility of the Western Australian government to ensure feasible alternatives outside the Kimberley region have been explored. I am advised that the James Price Point strategic assessment process is still at an early stage.

The Western Australian government is seeking approval to develop a liquefied natural gas precinct to process gas from the Browse Basin. We are working with the Western Australian government on an EPBC Act strategic assessment of this precinct. The strategic assessment process requires all potential environmental, heritage and social impacts to be fully assessed. Commonwealth concerns focus on impacts on protected species. Engagement with the Kimberley Land Council and traditional owners is another core component of the strategic assessment. Until all matters required by the terms of the strategic assessment have been appropriately investigated, the minister will not be in a position to make a decision on the plans to develop the precinct. A single LNG precinct is proposed to prevent piecemeal development by individual companies and cumulative impacts from widespread industrialisation of the Kimberley coastline.

If there are any parts of your question I have missed, I will take those on notice and seek further information from the minister.

Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I thank the minister for his answer. Given that at least three of the five Browse Basin LNG joint-venture partners—Shell, Chevron and BHP—have stated on the public record their preference for gas processing options outside the Kimberley and have expressed concern over attempts to force them to go to the Kimberley, will the minister remove the pre-emptive Browse retention lease conditions that are currently being imposed? If not, why not?

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

Thank you, Senator Ludlam. That is a very specific question. I probably should get a very specific answer for you on that—

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Why start now?

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It won’t be a forgery like yours. Ooh, see the look I got!

Government Senators:

Government senators interjecting—

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

So I will take that on notice.

Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Minister, while you are taking matters on notice—

Government Senators:

Government senators interjecting—

Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That’s what happens when you have lobotomies.

Government Senators:

Government senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Those on my right!

Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister perhaps identify whether he believes that the Commonwealth has no part at all in making sure that, under the strategic assessment, alternative sites are being evaluated? That was not clear from your answer to part 1 of my question. Can you tell us what the Commonwealth is doing to ensure that this assessment is being carried out and included in the strategic assessment report prior to release for public comment—so, the Commonwealth’s precise role in alternative site selection processes?

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

I have a little further information which I hope adds to that which you are seeking—and, again, if there is anything that I have not covered I will take that on notice and come back to you. This is a Western Australian government matter and, legally, the Commonwealth cannot intervene in this process. Engagement with stakeholders, including the Kimberley Land Council and traditional owners, is critical to the strategic assessment process. The strategic assessment requires that the minister consider whether traditional owners have given informed consent to the implementation of a plan for the LNG precinct, and the minister must also give careful consideration to potential impacts on Indigenous people and culture. If there is anything I have missed out, I will take that on notice for you, Senator Ludlam.