❓ Opposition MP questions the removal of greenhouse gas conditions from Chevron's Wheatstone project and asks if the Minister will reinstate them given the absence of a carbon tax. The Minister defends the decision, citing the Federal Government's Direct Action Plan as the appropriate regulatory mechanism.
AnsweredQoN 4001Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Further
to Question on Notice No. 3444, in which the Minister said “most” greenhouse gas conditions
were removed from Chevron's Wheatstone project because they were not
complementary to the then Commonwealth carbon tax arrangements, were any conditions actually complementary, and if so, what conditions were they? (2) In the absence of a Commonwealth emissions trading scheme or other carbon regulation such as a tax, will the Minister now use his powers to reinstate the greenhouse conditions on the Wheatstone project, including any that are complementary to Commonwealth arrangements? (3) If not, what regulation does the Minister think is appropriate for an emitter which, by his own admission, will contribute around 14 per cent of the State’s total emission load?
to Question on Notice No. 3444, in which the Minister said “most” greenhouse gas conditions
were removed from Chevron's Wheatstone project because they were not
complementary to the then Commonwealth carbon tax arrangements, were any conditions actually complementary, and if so, what conditions were they? (2) In the absence of a Commonwealth emissions trading scheme or other carbon regulation such as a tax, will the Minister now use his powers to reinstate the greenhouse conditions on the Wheatstone project, including any that are complementary to Commonwealth arrangements? (3) If not, what regulation does the Minister think is appropriate for an emitter which, by his own admission, will contribute around 14 per cent of the State’s total emission load?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 June 2015
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
55 days
(1) Complementarity is judged based on consideration of COAG endorsed principles for assessing complementarity. Interpretation and judgement is required in applying the principles to determine complementarity.
It was considered that the parts of the Wheatstone project greenhouse gas condition related to reporting were complementary. The then Minister for Environment maintained this requirement.
Parts of the condition related to requirements to achieve emissions intensity targets or undertake carbon offsets arrangements were not considered complementary and these were removed.
(2) As I have previously stated, I do not intend to reapply any greenhouse gas emission conditions that have been removed by the previous Minister for Environment.
(3) As I have also previously stated, I consider the Federal Government's Direct Action Plan is the most appropriate mechanism to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.
It was considered that the parts of the Wheatstone project greenhouse gas condition related to reporting were complementary. The then Minister for Environment maintained this requirement.
Parts of the condition related to requirements to achieve emissions intensity targets or undertake carbon offsets arrangements were not considered complementary and these were removed.
(2) As I have previously stated, I do not intend to reapply any greenhouse gas emission conditions that have been removed by the previous Minister for Environment.
(3) As I have also previously stated, I consider the Federal Government's Direct Action Plan is the most appropriate mechanism to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.
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