❓ Hon Jess Beckerling questions the Premier regarding state government support for Alcoa's gallium project and the potential application of the State Development Bill, particularly concerning environmental protections and project scope. The Premier provides general assurances regarding royalty rates and the bill's intended application.
AnsweredQoN 902Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Alcoa—Gallium development project
902. Hon Jess Beckerling to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I refer to this
morning's announcement by Alcoa that the Australian and United States Governments
have added their support to the company's gallium development project.
(1) Can the Premier outline what support Alcoa will
be receiving from the state government for this project?
(2) Does the project have the potential to be
considered a project of "state significance" under clause 30(2) of
the State Development Bill currently before Parliament?
(3) Can the Premier confirm that the State
Development Bill's provisions to modify the Environmental Protection Act,
including preventing an appeal process, will not be used for proposals
currently before the EPA, specifically Alcoa?
(4) Can the Premier confirm that projects
considered to be of "state significance" as referenced in the State
Development Bill will be confined to green energy projects?
902. Hon Jess Beckerling to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I refer to this
morning's announcement by Alcoa that the Australian and United States Governments
have added their support to the company's gallium development project.
(1) Can the Premier outline what support Alcoa will
be receiving from the state government for this project?
(2) Does the project have the potential to be
considered a project of "state significance" under clause 30(2) of
the State Development Bill currently before Parliament?
(3) Can the Premier confirm that the State
Development Bill's provisions to modify the Environmental Protection Act,
including preventing an appeal process, will not be used for proposals
currently before the EPA, specifically Alcoa?
(4) Can the Premier confirm that projects
considered to be of "state significance" as referenced in the State
Development Bill will be confined to green energy projects?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The Western Australian Government has
committed to applying royalty rates that are commensurate with the Mining Act 1978.
(2) The bill sets out
the proposed process and requirements for the declaration of a priority
project. If the bill becomes law, it will be binding on the minister with
respect of the declaration of a priority project.
(3) The bill sets out the requirements for a
modification order. A modification order cannot be used to exclude the
requirement for a key regulatory authorisation, such as an approval under the
Environmental Protection Act.
(4) As outlined in the bill's second reading
speech, it is intended that the bill will facilitate projects of economic and
strategic importance to Western Australia. This includes projects related to
the clean energy transition.
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The Western Australian Government has
committed to applying royalty rates that are commensurate with the Mining Act 1978.
(2) The bill sets out
the proposed process and requirements for the declaration of a priority
project. If the bill becomes law, it will be binding on the minister with
respect of the declaration of a priority project.
(3) The bill sets out the requirements for a
modification order. A modification order cannot be used to exclude the
requirement for a key regulatory authorisation, such as an approval under the
Environmental Protection Act.
(4) As outlined in the bill's second reading
speech, it is intended that the bill will facilitate projects of economic and
strategic importance to Western Australia. This includes projects related to
the clean energy transition.
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