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

I haven't said anything, Mr President. I just want to put that on the record. I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 985, relating to seismic testing, before asking that it be taken as a formal motion.

Leave granted.

I amend the motion in the terms circulated in the chamber. I ask that it be taken as formal.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is there any objection to this motion being taken as formal?

An honourable senator: Yes.

There is. We'll move to notice of motion No. 989.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order! I can play my recording from the last time I had this discussion. We've done it before. Senator Whish-Wilson, are you seeking leave to make a short statement?

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

I am.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is leave granted for Senator Whish-Wilson to make a short statement? There being no objection, you can make a statement.

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

Thank you, Mr President. I want to ask if I could move that again and the Labor Party reconsider.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You have asserted that someone objected. I need to make sure the Hansard does not necessarily reflect something that didn't occur. I heard an objection. I'm not going to say from whom, unless someone wants to claim ownership of it. I think that's the way it should be reflected in the Hansard. I will give you the opportunity again. Is there any objection to notice of motion No. 985 as amended being taken as formal? There being none, you may move the motion.

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

I move the motion as amended:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) all sides of politics have expressed concerns about extending Petroleum Exploration Permit 11 and oil and gas drilling off the coasts of Sydney and Newcastle, and

  (ii) ConocoPhillips Australia wants to look for gas reserves in the Otway Basin in an operational area of 4,089 square kilometres only 23.5 kilometres off the west coast of Tasmania's King Island, from 1 August;

(b) acknowledges the:

  (i) knowledge gap surrounding the impacts of seismic testing on local communities and local industries which depend on healthy oceans and coastline, and

  (ii) importance of the rock lobster industry to Tasmania and the King Island community and that any negative impact on the industry would impact on the community itself;

(c) further notes Liberal MP for Braddon Mr Gavin Pearce's statements, that the concern felt by the King Island community is genuine, and that:

  (i) ConocoPhillips must address these fears with evidence-based answers, and

  (ii) if ConocoPhillips cannot prove there will be no impact on local fishing livelihoods then the seismic testing should not go ahead; and

(d) calls on NOPSEMA to apply the precautionary principle when independently assessing the impacts of seismic testing and processing permit applications.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government recognises the importance of both the fishing and petroleum industries to the economy. Oil and gas activities in Commonwealth waters have been effectively regulated alongside fishing for many decades, with strict safety and environmental standards underpinned by science and overseen by an independent expert regulator in NOPSEMA. We recognise the concerns of the fishing industry about the potential impact of seismic surveys on the marine environment. We're working with fishing industry peak bodies and the offshore petroleum industry on a voluntary national approach for consultation and engagement, improving certainty for both industries. This is complex, constructive and ongoing work that will achieve more than this intentionally divisive motion from the Greens.

Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

One Nation will support this motion. Australia has the most attractive offshore gas laws in the world. These laws act as a magnet for foreign-owned integrated gas businesses, like ConocoPhillips, because they don't pay for our gas, don't pay income tax on the profits made from selling our gas and don't give us any gas, leaving us with higher priced onshore gas. The Prime Minister's gas led manufacturing strategy is just another marketing campaign until the gas laws are reformed, because Australia is the only large gas producer in the world where the domestic gas price is higher than the export gas price. One Nation will not support drilling in sensitive environmental areas, including the Great Southern Reef and the pristine waters near South Australia or Tasmania.

Question agreed to.