❓ A WA parliamentary question probes the government's stance on fracking, comparing regulations in the Kimberley to those in the South West, Peel, and Perth regions, and questioning the compatibility of gas exploration with environmental values.
AnsweredQoN 1671Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Premier’s interview on ABC Perth on 1 August, 2023 regarding fracking in the Kimberley, and I ask: (a) what are the oil and gas company’s ‘rights and interests’ that the incoming government had to respect; (b) did the onshore gas exploration companies with interests in the South West, Peel and Perth regions from which fracking is now banned have the same legal rights as the oil and gas companies operating in the Kimberley; (c) if yes to (b), why was the government able to ban fracking in the Southwest, Peel and Perth regions but not in the Kimberley; (d) did the onshore gas exploration companies in the South West, Peel and Perth regions with granted Exploration Permits (EP’s) for petroleum seek compensation due to the ban; (e) if yes to (d), did the government provide any compensation to them; (f) have the veto rights for landholders and Traditional Owners promised by the government been put in place; (g) if yes to (f), when did that occur; (h) if no to (f), when will it occur; (i) does the government believe that having hundreds and possibly thousands of gas wells and associated pipelines and roads spread across the West Kimberley under existing petroleum EP’s is compatible with the region’s unique and globally recognised natural values and nature-based industries; and (j) if yes to (i), on what basis?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 November 2023
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
9 days
a) Depending upon the title type, the rights to undertake operations for the purpose of exploring for and/or recovering petroleum from within their respective title(s).
b) Yes.
c) The Government is implementing its election commitment, which permits Traditional Owner’s to consent to Hydraulic Fracturing.
d) No.
e) Not applicable.
f) No.
g) Not applicable.
h) When government has finalised drafting of the legislation.
i) Western Australia has a strong regulatory framework to ensure resource activities are conducted in an environmentally responsible manner. The State Government is currently implementing the recommendations from the Scientific Inquiry, which will further strengthen the regulatory framework for petroleum hydraulic fracturing.
j) Not applicable.
b) Yes.
c) The Government is implementing its election commitment, which permits Traditional Owner’s to consent to Hydraulic Fracturing.
d) No.
e) Not applicable.
f) No.
g) Not applicable.
h) When government has finalised drafting of the legislation.
i) Western Australia has a strong regulatory framework to ensure resource activities are conducted in an environmentally responsible manner. The State Government is currently implementing the recommendations from the Scientific Inquiry, which will further strengthen the regulatory framework for petroleum hydraulic fracturing.
j) Not applicable.
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