❓ Premier McGowan addresses concerns regarding the EPA's LNG sector guidance, emphasizing job protection and advocating for a national climate change policy. He facilitated a meeting with industry representatives and subsequently requested the EPA to withdraw the guidelines for further consultation.
AnsweredQoN 138Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AUTHORITY — LNG
SECTOR
138. Mr M. HUGHES to the Premier:
On behalf of the member for Southern
River, I would like to welcome the Caladenia Primary School students and staff,
who are in the visitors' gallery.
Can the Premier update the house on
his meeting today with representatives from the LNG sector and his commitment
to protect Western Australian jobs?
SECTOR
138. Mr M. HUGHES to the Premier:
On behalf of the member for Southern
River, I would like to welcome the Caladenia Primary School students and staff,
who are in the visitors' gallery.
Can the Premier update the house on
his meeting today with representatives from the LNG sector and his commitment
to protect Western Australian jobs?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Kalamunda for
the question.
This morning I convened a meeting of
representatives of industry in Western Australia. The attendees included
Woodside, Chevron, Santos, Shell, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western
Australia and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association.
Mr D.C. Nalder interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Bateman! I call you to order for the first time.
Mr M. McGOWAN : The purpose
behind the meeting was to hear from them about the issues surrounding the
Environmental Protection Authority guidance that was issued last Thursday—a
week ago. As people will know, climate change is a big issue. Frankly, it is
one of the biggest issues in the world, and I would like to see Australia play
a role and be a country that pulls its weight when it comes to dealing with
climate change. I would like to see a national policy on these issues that is
fair and balanced across all the states of Australia.
As I said, when the EPA guidance
came out, I indicated that the government did not support the guidance because
it would unfairly target the LNG industry, which produces less than half the
emissions intensity per tonne of CO 2 produced from other forms of
fuel, particularly some of the fuel sources in China and coming out of
Queensland and New South Wales. Therefore, I called for a national approach to
these issues.
This morning's meeting
raised a range of issues. The industry players indicated they thought there had
been a lack of consultation; the timing of federal policy changes would be
potentially difficult if there is a change of government in coming months;
there was some uncertainty for industry about what the guidance means; there is
a significant investment risk in light of that; and there would be difficulty reaching
a zero emissions target, essentially overnight. They indicated that the offsets
capacity was not there in Australia and perhaps not there in the world. They
also indicated a requirement for further consultation.
Consequent to this morning's
meeting, I made contact with the head of the EPA, Tom Hatton, and had a long
conversation with him about these issues. The EPA has to do a difficult job.
Its role is to protect the environment in Western Australia, but we agreed
during this meeting that the best course to provide more certainty and more
clarity would be for the EPA to withdraw the guidelines —
Mr D.T. Redman interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker!—and
further consult. I think that is a good thing to do and I urge the EPA to
consult widely and broadly with industry, the community, the environmental
movement and the government.
Mr D.T. Redman interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Warren–Blackwood!
Mr M. McGOWAN : If that
occurs, that will be a far better outcome and a far better way of removing
angst, ensuring Western Australian jobs are protected and ensuring that we are
part of a national solution to a very difficult issue.
the question.
This morning I convened a meeting of
representatives of industry in Western Australia. The attendees included
Woodside, Chevron, Santos, Shell, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western
Australia and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association.
Mr D.C. Nalder interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Bateman! I call you to order for the first time.
Mr M. McGOWAN : The purpose
behind the meeting was to hear from them about the issues surrounding the
Environmental Protection Authority guidance that was issued last Thursday—a
week ago. As people will know, climate change is a big issue. Frankly, it is
one of the biggest issues in the world, and I would like to see Australia play
a role and be a country that pulls its weight when it comes to dealing with
climate change. I would like to see a national policy on these issues that is
fair and balanced across all the states of Australia.
As I said, when the EPA guidance
came out, I indicated that the government did not support the guidance because
it would unfairly target the LNG industry, which produces less than half the
emissions intensity per tonne of CO 2 produced from other forms of
fuel, particularly some of the fuel sources in China and coming out of
Queensland and New South Wales. Therefore, I called for a national approach to
these issues.
This morning's meeting
raised a range of issues. The industry players indicated they thought there had
been a lack of consultation; the timing of federal policy changes would be
potentially difficult if there is a change of government in coming months;
there was some uncertainty for industry about what the guidance means; there is
a significant investment risk in light of that; and there would be difficulty reaching
a zero emissions target, essentially overnight. They indicated that the offsets
capacity was not there in Australia and perhaps not there in the world. They
also indicated a requirement for further consultation.
Consequent to this morning's
meeting, I made contact with the head of the EPA, Tom Hatton, and had a long
conversation with him about these issues. The EPA has to do a difficult job.
Its role is to protect the environment in Western Australia, but we agreed
during this meeting that the best course to provide more certainty and more
clarity would be for the EPA to withdraw the guidelines —
Mr D.T. Redman interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Mr Speaker!—and
further consult. I think that is a good thing to do and I urge the EPA to
consult widely and broadly with industry, the community, the environmental
movement and the government.
Mr D.T. Redman interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Warren–Blackwood!
Mr M. McGOWAN : If that
occurs, that will be a far better outcome and a far better way of removing
angst, ensuring Western Australian jobs are protected and ensuring that we are
part of a national solution to a very difficult issue.
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