Susan McDonald (Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Woodside Energy has applied to extend the life of the Karratha Gas Plant until 2070, which would guarantee thousands of jobs in Western Australia; generate billions of dollars in economic activity, taxes and royalties; and provide much-needed energy to be used locally and for export. The Western Australian Labor government has approved the project, with Western Australian Labor's environment minister saying, 'Gas is good.' However, the Albanese government's Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, has delayed Commonwealth approval for two months. Without her approval, this project will not go ahead. Will the Prime Minister show some leadership and ensure that this project is approved as soon as possible to give certainty to Western Australians?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm aware of this project, and I'm also aware of the investments and production that Woodside has engaged in. We have engaged very closely, in my portfolio, with Woodside and with Ms O'Neill and her staff across a range of issues. So I'll just make the point first that it's a very important part of not just the Western Australian economy but the national economy. It is also a company who has engaged very closely with this government, and I have put on record my appreciation for that continued constructive engagement. In relation to the project in question, if I leave—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Whish-Wilson, Order!

Senator Whish-Wilson, I've asked you to come to order.

Senator Whish-Wilson, twice I asked you to come to order and you completely disregarded what I had to say. That is incredibly disrespectful. I've asked you to come to order. That is what I expect.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The second point I would make, Senator McDonald, is that you would have seen the release of the government's Future Gas Strategy and you would understand the place we believe gas has in the energy mix. In relation to the project, I would make two points. The first is that, obviously, under the legislation that I think was passed under a Liberal government, this minister or any minister in this role has a set of statutory requirements and statutory approvals that she or he must—

Senator Whish-Wilson, I'm responding to the senator's question. Do you want to—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Whish-Wilson, once again you are being disrespectful. If you can't sit and listen in silence, I ask that you leave the chamber.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As there are a set of statutory requirements the minister must engage with, I'm sure Ms Plibersek will do so. I would make the point that I'm advised that, since we have come to government, under Ms Plibersek's ministerial tenure, environmental approvals have doubled in terms of on-time approvals and have gone from 47 per cent under the Liberals to 84 per cent under us. So I would say there has been an— (Time expired)

Honourable senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! I have Senator McDonald on her feet. She's entitled to ask her supplementary question in silence. Senator McDonald?

Susan McDonald (Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Environmental Defenders Office is strongly opposing the extension of the Karratha Gas Plant despite the significant economic benefit it will have for the people of Western Australia. Why is the Albanese government giving more than $2 million of taxpayer dollars every year to the EDO when their priorities are all about opposing job-creating projects which will benefit Australians?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, Senator Scarr and Senator Sterle! I have called for order. That includes the two of you.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have been asked on a number of occasions about the EDO, and I have responded that the government's expectation is that the Environmental Defenders Office exhibit the highest ethical and professional standards. I think I may have spoken to the chamber previously, saying that the Minister for the Environment and Water has written to the CEO of the EDO, making those expectations clear. I've indicated to the chamber, in relation to a range of allegations with regard to whether or not the EDO's conduct is in accordance with their grant agreement, that the minister requested that the secretary undertake a review to consider whether or not the EDO's conduct was in accordance with the grant agreement, and I have indicated to the chamber that the results of that review are available on the minister's website.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McDonald, second supplementary?

Susan McDonald (Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Isn't it clear from your previous answers that the Albanese government is delaying the approval of the Karratha Gas Plant in the hope of gaining preferences from the Australian Greens at the next election?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No.