❓ Question regarding the dispute between the Independent Gas Pipelines Access Regulator and Epic Energy, and the Minister's role in ensuring tariff certainty. The Minister deflects, blaming the previous government's privatisation policies for the current situation and stating they will act within the law.
AnsweredQoN 694Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the dispute between the Independent Gas Pipelines Access Regulator and Epic Energy on the regulator’s draft ruling, which is now nearly two years old and which has left a cloud over the company’s future. In the interests of the industrial development of Western Australia and the employees of Epic Energy, will the minister now intervene to ensure the status quo is maintained, by regulating for a tariff that will provide certainty for at least a three-year period; and, if not, why not? Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
Does the shadow Minister for Energy believe such an intervention would be in accord with Western Australian law as it now stands? Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The member for Darling Range has used the words “if legislated for”. In other words, he has conceded that it is not in accord with existing Western Australian legislation for the Government to intervene in the question of tariffs on the Dampier to Bunbury natural gas pipeline. It is interesting that the Opposition would dare to raise a question on this issue, because this is an example of privatisation gone wrong. It was that man sitting in the Leader of the Opposition’s chair who privatised this pipeline and brought about a situation in which the State Government has no control over a major piece of infrastructure and no power to protect the workers employed in that industry. It is privatisation gone wrong, for which the Leader of the Opposition is responsible. We will act in accordance with the law. The law of the land says that we cannot interfere with the regulator’s decision. That is the black and white law endorsed by this Parliament in a Bill that was put before the Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition when he was the Minister for Energy. Both Houses of Parliament endorsed the Bill in accord with a national agreement signed by all State Governments and the Commonwealth Government. We would have to breach our own law and breach the national agreement were we to seek to direct the regulator on this matter. I agree that the matter has gone on for too long. As I advised the House the last time we sat, the regulator has further delayed his decision. The notice issued by the regulator on 7 May 2003 states - Epic Energy has advised that in order for it to properly respond to the material, it will require at least until close of business 16 May 2003. As I am proposing to rely on this material in my final decision, the rules of procedural fairness require that Epic Energy should have a reasonable opportunity to make any necessary submissions. While any delay is regrettable, I consider that given the circumstances the delay is unavoidable and I now intend issuing my final decision in the week commencing 19 May 2003. Whatever the regulator’s decision, and whatever the events that occur after that decision, there will always be that pipeline and there will always be a need for those workers to operate that pipeline. It is an essential part of our infrastructure, and the Government will take all the necessary steps to ensure that that essential part of our infrastructure continues to operate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: Does the shadow Minister for Energy believe such an intervention would be in accord with Western Australian law as it now stands? Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The member for Darling Range has used the words “if legislated for”. In other words, he has conceded that it is not in accord with existing Western Australian legislation for the Government to intervene in the question of tariffs on the Dampier to Bunbury natural gas pipeline. It is interesting that the Opposition would dare to raise a question on this issue, because this is an example of privatisation gone wrong. It was that man sitting in the Leader of the Opposition’s chair who privatised this pipeline and brought about a situation in which the State Government has no control over a major piece of infrastructure and no power to protect the workers employed in that industry. It is privatisation gone wrong, for which the Leader of the Opposition is responsible. We will act in accordance with the law. The law of the land says that we cannot interfere with the regulator’s decision. That is the black and white law endorsed by this Parliament in a Bill that was put before the Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition when he was the Minister for Energy. Both Houses of Parliament endorsed the Bill in accord with a national agreement signed by all State Governments and the Commonwealth Government. We would have to breach our own law and breach the national agreement were we to seek to direct the regulator on this matter. I agree that the matter has gone on for too long. As I advised the House the last time we sat, the regulator has further delayed his decision. The notice issued by the regulator on 7 May 2003 states - Epic Energy has advised that in order for it to properly respond to the material, it will require at least until close of business 16 May 2003. As I am proposing to rely on this material in my final decision, the rules of procedural fairness require that Epic Energy should have a reasonable opportunity to make any necessary submissions. While any delay is regrettable, I consider that given the circumstances the delay is unavoidable and I now intend issuing my final decision in the week commencing 19 May 2003. Whatever the regulator’s decision, and whatever the events that occur after that decision, there will always be that pipeline and there will always be a need for those workers to operate that pipeline. It is an essential part of our infrastructure, and the Government will take all the necessary steps to ensure that that essential part of our infrastructure continues to operate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time.
Does the shadow Minister for Energy believe such an intervention would be in accord with Western Australian law as it now stands? Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The member for Darling Range has used the words “if legislated for”. In other words, he has conceded that it is not in accord with existing Western Australian legislation for the Government to intervene in the question of tariffs on the Dampier to Bunbury natural gas pipeline. It is interesting that the Opposition would dare to raise a question on this issue, because this is an example of privatisation gone wrong. It was that man sitting in the Leader of the Opposition’s chair who privatised this pipeline and brought about a situation in which the State Government has no control over a major piece of infrastructure and no power to protect the workers employed in that industry. It is privatisation gone wrong, for which the Leader of the Opposition is responsible. We will act in accordance with the law. The law of the land says that we cannot interfere with the regulator’s decision. That is the black and white law endorsed by this Parliament in a Bill that was put before the Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition when he was the Minister for Energy. Both Houses of Parliament endorsed the Bill in accord with a national agreement signed by all State Governments and the Commonwealth Government. We would have to breach our own law and breach the national agreement were we to seek to direct the regulator on this matter. I agree that the matter has gone on for too long. As I advised the House the last time we sat, the regulator has further delayed his decision. The notice issued by the regulator on 7 May 2003 states - Epic Energy has advised that in order for it to properly respond to the material, it will require at least until close of business 16 May 2003. As I am proposing to rely on this material in my final decision, the rules of procedural fairness require that Epic Energy should have a reasonable opportunity to make any necessary submissions. While any delay is regrettable, I consider that given the circumstances the delay is unavoidable and I now intend issuing my final decision in the week commencing 19 May 2003. Whatever the regulator’s decision, and whatever the events that occur after that decision, there will always be that pipeline and there will always be a need for those workers to operate that pipeline. It is an essential part of our infrastructure, and the Government will take all the necessary steps to ensure that that essential part of our infrastructure continues to operate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time.
Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The member for Darling Range has used the words “if legislated for”. In other words, he has conceded that it is not in accord with existing Western Australian legislation for the Government to intervene in the question of tariffs on the Dampier to Bunbury natural gas pipeline. It is interesting that the Opposition would dare to raise a question on this issue, because this is an example of privatisation gone wrong. It was that man sitting in the Leader of the Opposition’s chair who privatised this pipeline and brought about a situation in which the State Government has no control over a major piece of infrastructure and no power to protect the workers employed in that industry. It is privatisation gone wrong, for which the Leader of the Opposition is responsible. We will act in accordance with the law. The law of the land says that we cannot interfere with the regulator’s decision. That is the black and white law endorsed by this Parliament in a Bill that was put before the Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition when he was the Minister for Energy. Both Houses of Parliament endorsed the Bill in accord with a national agreement signed by all State Governments and the Commonwealth Government. We would have to breach our own law and breach the national agreement were we to seek to direct the regulator on this matter. I agree that the matter has gone on for too long. As I advised the House the last time we sat, the regulator has further delayed his decision. The notice issued by the regulator on 7 May 2003 states - Epic Energy has advised that in order for it to properly respond to the material, it will require at least until close of business 16 May 2003. As I am proposing to rely on this material in my final decision, the rules of procedural fairness require that Epic Energy should have a reasonable opportunity to make any necessary submissions. While any delay is regrettable, I consider that given the circumstances the delay is unavoidable and I now intend issuing my final decision in the week commencing 19 May 2003. Whatever the regulator’s decision, and whatever the events that occur after that decision, there will always be that pipeline and there will always be a need for those workers to operate that pipeline. It is an essential part of our infrastructure, and the Government will take all the necessary steps to ensure that that essential part of our infrastructure continues to operate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: The member for Darling Range has used the words “if legislated for”. In other words, he has conceded that it is not in accord with existing Western Australian legislation for the Government to intervene in the question of tariffs on the Dampier to Bunbury natural gas pipeline. It is interesting that the Opposition would dare to raise a question on this issue, because this is an example of privatisation gone wrong. It was that man sitting in the Leader of the Opposition’s chair who privatised this pipeline and brought about a situation in which the State Government has no control over a major piece of infrastructure and no power to protect the workers employed in that industry. It is privatisation gone wrong, for which the Leader of the Opposition is responsible. We will act in accordance with the law. The law of the land says that we cannot interfere with the regulator’s decision. That is the black and white law endorsed by this Parliament in a Bill that was put before the Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition when he was the Minister for Energy. Both Houses of Parliament endorsed the Bill in accord with a national agreement signed by all State Governments and the Commonwealth Government. We would have to breach our own law and breach the national agreement were we to seek to direct the regulator on this matter. I agree that the matter has gone on for too long. As I advised the House the last time we sat, the regulator has further delayed his decision. The notice issued by the regulator on 7 May 2003 states - Epic Energy has advised that in order for it to properly respond to the material, it will require at least until close of business 16 May 2003. As I am proposing to rely on this material in my final decision, the rules of procedural fairness require that Epic Energy should have a reasonable opportunity to make any necessary submissions. While any delay is regrettable, I consider that given the circumstances the delay is unavoidable and I now intend issuing my final decision in the week commencing 19 May 2003. Whatever the regulator’s decision, and whatever the events that occur after that decision, there will always be that pipeline and there will always be a need for those workers to operate that pipeline. It is an essential part of our infrastructure, and the Government will take all the necessary steps to ensure that that essential part of our infrastructure continues to operate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time.
We will act in accordance with the law. The law of the land says that we cannot interfere with the regulator’s decision. That is the black and white law endorsed by this Parliament in a Bill that was put before the Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition when he was the Minister for Energy. Both Houses of Parliament endorsed the Bill in accord with a national agreement signed by all State Governments and the Commonwealth Government. We would have to breach our own law and breach the national agreement were we to seek to direct the regulator on this matter. I agree that the matter has gone on for too long. As I advised the House the last time we sat, the regulator has further delayed his decision. The notice issued by the regulator on 7 May 2003 states - Epic Energy has advised that in order for it to properly respond to the material, it will require at least until close of business 16 May 2003. As I am proposing to rely on this material in my final decision, the rules of procedural fairness require that Epic Energy should have a reasonable opportunity to make any necessary submissions. While any delay is regrettable, I consider that given the circumstances the delay is unavoidable and I now intend issuing my final decision in the week commencing 19 May 2003. Whatever the regulator’s decision, and whatever the events that occur after that decision, there will always be that pipeline and there will always be a need for those workers to operate that pipeline. It is an essential part of our infrastructure, and the Government will take all the necessary steps to ensure that that essential part of our infrastructure continues to operate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time.
Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: Does the shadow Minister for Energy believe such an intervention would be in accord with Western Australian law as it now stands? Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The member for Darling Range has used the words “if legislated for”. In other words, he has conceded that it is not in accord with existing Western Australian legislation for the Government to intervene in the question of tariffs on the Dampier to Bunbury natural gas pipeline. It is interesting that the Opposition would dare to raise a question on this issue, because this is an example of privatisation gone wrong. It was that man sitting in the Leader of the Opposition’s chair who privatised this pipeline and brought about a situation in which the State Government has no control over a major piece of infrastructure and no power to protect the workers employed in that industry. It is privatisation gone wrong, for which the Leader of the Opposition is responsible. We will act in accordance with the law. The law of the land says that we cannot interfere with the regulator’s decision. That is the black and white law endorsed by this Parliament in a Bill that was put before the Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition when he was the Minister for Energy. Both Houses of Parliament endorsed the Bill in accord with a national agreement signed by all State Governments and the Commonwealth Government. We would have to breach our own law and breach the national agreement were we to seek to direct the regulator on this matter. I agree that the matter has gone on for too long. As I advised the House the last time we sat, the regulator has further delayed his decision. The notice issued by the regulator on 7 May 2003 states - Epic Energy has advised that in order for it to properly respond to the material, it will require at least until close of business 16 May 2003. As I am proposing to rely on this material in my final decision, the rules of procedural fairness require that Epic Energy should have a reasonable opportunity to make any necessary submissions. While any delay is regrettable, I consider that given the circumstances the delay is unavoidable and I now intend issuing my final decision in the week commencing 19 May 2003. Whatever the regulator’s decision, and whatever the events that occur after that decision, there will always be that pipeline and there will always be a need for those workers to operate that pipeline. It is an essential part of our infrastructure, and the Government will take all the necessary steps to ensure that that essential part of our infrastructure continues to operate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time.
Does the shadow Minister for Energy believe such an intervention would be in accord with Western Australian law as it now stands? Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The member for Darling Range has used the words “if legislated for”. In other words, he has conceded that it is not in accord with existing Western Australian legislation for the Government to intervene in the question of tariffs on the Dampier to Bunbury natural gas pipeline. It is interesting that the Opposition would dare to raise a question on this issue, because this is an example of privatisation gone wrong. It was that man sitting in the Leader of the Opposition’s chair who privatised this pipeline and brought about a situation in which the State Government has no control over a major piece of infrastructure and no power to protect the workers employed in that industry. It is privatisation gone wrong, for which the Leader of the Opposition is responsible. We will act in accordance with the law. The law of the land says that we cannot interfere with the regulator’s decision. That is the black and white law endorsed by this Parliament in a Bill that was put before the Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition when he was the Minister for Energy. Both Houses of Parliament endorsed the Bill in accord with a national agreement signed by all State Governments and the Commonwealth Government. We would have to breach our own law and breach the national agreement were we to seek to direct the regulator on this matter. I agree that the matter has gone on for too long. As I advised the House the last time we sat, the regulator has further delayed his decision. The notice issued by the regulator on 7 May 2003 states - Epic Energy has advised that in order for it to properly respond to the material, it will require at least until close of business 16 May 2003. As I am proposing to rely on this material in my final decision, the rules of procedural fairness require that Epic Energy should have a reasonable opportunity to make any necessary submissions. While any delay is regrettable, I consider that given the circumstances the delay is unavoidable and I now intend issuing my final decision in the week commencing 19 May 2003. Whatever the regulator’s decision, and whatever the events that occur after that decision, there will always be that pipeline and there will always be a need for those workers to operate that pipeline. It is an essential part of our infrastructure, and the Government will take all the necessary steps to ensure that that essential part of our infrastructure continues to operate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time.
Several members interjected. Mr E.S. RIPPER: The member for Darling Range has used the words “if legislated for”. In other words, he has conceded that it is not in accord with existing Western Australian legislation for the Government to intervene in the question of tariffs on the Dampier to Bunbury natural gas pipeline. It is interesting that the Opposition would dare to raise a question on this issue, because this is an example of privatisation gone wrong. It was that man sitting in the Leader of the Opposition’s chair who privatised this pipeline and brought about a situation in which the State Government has no control over a major piece of infrastructure and no power to protect the workers employed in that industry. It is privatisation gone wrong, for which the Leader of the Opposition is responsible. We will act in accordance with the law. The law of the land says that we cannot interfere with the regulator’s decision. That is the black and white law endorsed by this Parliament in a Bill that was put before the Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition when he was the Minister for Energy. Both Houses of Parliament endorsed the Bill in accord with a national agreement signed by all State Governments and the Commonwealth Government. We would have to breach our own law and breach the national agreement were we to seek to direct the regulator on this matter. I agree that the matter has gone on for too long. As I advised the House the last time we sat, the regulator has further delayed his decision. The notice issued by the regulator on 7 May 2003 states - Epic Energy has advised that in order for it to properly respond to the material, it will require at least until close of business 16 May 2003. As I am proposing to rely on this material in my final decision, the rules of procedural fairness require that Epic Energy should have a reasonable opportunity to make any necessary submissions. While any delay is regrettable, I consider that given the circumstances the delay is unavoidable and I now intend issuing my final decision in the week commencing 19 May 2003. Whatever the regulator’s decision, and whatever the events that occur after that decision, there will always be that pipeline and there will always be a need for those workers to operate that pipeline. It is an essential part of our infrastructure, and the Government will take all the necessary steps to ensure that that essential part of our infrastructure continues to operate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time.
Mr E.S. RIPPER: The member for Darling Range has used the words “if legislated for”. In other words, he has conceded that it is not in accord with existing Western Australian legislation for the Government to intervene in the question of tariffs on the Dampier to Bunbury natural gas pipeline. It is interesting that the Opposition would dare to raise a question on this issue, because this is an example of privatisation gone wrong. It was that man sitting in the Leader of the Opposition’s chair who privatised this pipeline and brought about a situation in which the State Government has no control over a major piece of infrastructure and no power to protect the workers employed in that industry. It is privatisation gone wrong, for which the Leader of the Opposition is responsible. We will act in accordance with the law. The law of the land says that we cannot interfere with the regulator’s decision. That is the black and white law endorsed by this Parliament in a Bill that was put before the Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition when he was the Minister for Energy. Both Houses of Parliament endorsed the Bill in accord with a national agreement signed by all State Governments and the Commonwealth Government. We would have to breach our own law and breach the national agreement were we to seek to direct the regulator on this matter. I agree that the matter has gone on for too long. As I advised the House the last time we sat, the regulator has further delayed his decision. The notice issued by the regulator on 7 May 2003 states - Epic Energy has advised that in order for it to properly respond to the material, it will require at least until close of business 16 May 2003. As I am proposing to rely on this material in my final decision, the rules of procedural fairness require that Epic Energy should have a reasonable opportunity to make any necessary submissions. While any delay is regrettable, I consider that given the circumstances the delay is unavoidable and I now intend issuing my final decision in the week commencing 19 May 2003. Whatever the regulator’s decision, and whatever the events that occur after that decision, there will always be that pipeline and there will always be a need for those workers to operate that pipeline. It is an essential part of our infrastructure, and the Government will take all the necessary steps to ensure that that essential part of our infrastructure continues to operate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time.
We will act in accordance with the law. The law of the land says that we cannot interfere with the regulator’s decision. That is the black and white law endorsed by this Parliament in a Bill that was put before the Parliament by the Leader of the Opposition when he was the Minister for Energy. Both Houses of Parliament endorsed the Bill in accord with a national agreement signed by all State Governments and the Commonwealth Government. We would have to breach our own law and breach the national agreement were we to seek to direct the regulator on this matter. I agree that the matter has gone on for too long. As I advised the House the last time we sat, the regulator has further delayed his decision. The notice issued by the regulator on 7 May 2003 states - Epic Energy has advised that in order for it to properly respond to the material, it will require at least until close of business 16 May 2003. As I am proposing to rely on this material in my final decision, the rules of procedural fairness require that Epic Energy should have a reasonable opportunity to make any necessary submissions. While any delay is regrettable, I consider that given the circumstances the delay is unavoidable and I now intend issuing my final decision in the week commencing 19 May 2003. Whatever the regulator’s decision, and whatever the events that occur after that decision, there will always be that pipeline and there will always be a need for those workers to operate that pipeline. It is an essential part of our infrastructure, and the Government will take all the necessary steps to ensure that that essential part of our infrastructure continues to operate. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER: Members! Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time.
Mr C.J. Barnett interjected. The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time.
The SPEAKER: I call the Leader of the Opposition to order for the first time.
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