❓ Minister addresses concerns about unlawful protests hindering onshore petroleum exploration, specifically mentioning an incident at Buru Energy's Yulleroo 2 well involving damage, obstruction, and police intervention. The government is responding with legislation to protect the resources industry.
AnsweredQoN 182Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PETROLEUM — ONSHORE EXPLORATION
182. Mr I.C. BLAYNEY to the Minister for Mines and
Petroleum:
Can the minister please indicate to
the house the difficulties that some petroleum operators are having in carrying
out their lawful business related to onshore petroleum exploration?
182. Mr I.C. BLAYNEY to the Minister for Mines and
Petroleum:
Can the minister please indicate to
the house the difficulties that some petroleum operators are having in carrying
out their lawful business related to onshore petroleum exploration?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Geraldton for
this question. This is a very, very important issue that was previously raised
in the house. There was one particular case in the Canning Basin when
protesters opposed the development of onshore gas activity. In doing so, they
allegedly resorted to damaging company vehicles and abusing company staff, and
police were involved. Members may recall that that incident was at Yulleroo 2,
which is one of the wells being drilled by Buru Energy about 80 kilometres east
of Broome. Following reports of a gas leak, the Department of Mines and
Petroleum and the company attended the well, or they attempted to. They found
that there was significant
damage, but in trying to access the well they found protesters in the way. The
protesters stopped not only the
company representatives, but also my DMP inspectors from accessing the well, and the police had to be called.
Before the police got there, the protesters allowed my DMP inspectors through.
Mr
P. Papalia interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Warnbro!
Mr W.R. MARMION :
This is a clear demonstration of the impact of irresponsible —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members! Premier! Member for Warnbro, I want to hear the minister.
Mr W.R. MARMION : U nlawful protests on sites such as oil and gas sites and mining
sites have serious implications on safety, time lost and the physical
environment.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Warnbro!
Mr W.R. MARMION :
Ultimately, it could impact on foreign investment —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr
W.R. MARMION : Unlawful protests could impact expensive capital investment
in Western Australia. The Criminal Code Amendment (Prevention of Lawful
Activity) Bill, introduced by the Minister for Police, is part of our
commitment to addressing this serious issue and protecting the resources industry
in this way. This legislation will help to protect the $160 billion worth of
projects in the pipeline in this state. Most importantly, it will help to
protect the 106 000 jobs in the mining and oil and petroleum industry.
this question. This is a very, very important issue that was previously raised
in the house. There was one particular case in the Canning Basin when
protesters opposed the development of onshore gas activity. In doing so, they
allegedly resorted to damaging company vehicles and abusing company staff, and
police were involved. Members may recall that that incident was at Yulleroo 2,
which is one of the wells being drilled by Buru Energy about 80 kilometres east
of Broome. Following reports of a gas leak, the Department of Mines and
Petroleum and the company attended the well, or they attempted to. They found
that there was significant
damage, but in trying to access the well they found protesters in the way. The
protesters stopped not only the
company representatives, but also my DMP inspectors from accessing the well, and the police had to be called.
Before the police got there, the protesters allowed my DMP inspectors through.
Mr
P. Papalia interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Warnbro!
Mr W.R. MARMION :
This is a clear demonstration of the impact of irresponsible —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members! Premier! Member for Warnbro, I want to hear the minister.
Mr W.R. MARMION : U nlawful protests on sites such as oil and gas sites and mining
sites have serious implications on safety, time lost and the physical
environment.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Warnbro!
Mr W.R. MARMION :
Ultimately, it could impact on foreign investment —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members!
Mr
W.R. MARMION : Unlawful protests could impact expensive capital investment
in Western Australia. The Criminal Code Amendment (Prevention of Lawful
Activity) Bill, introduced by the Minister for Police, is part of our
commitment to addressing this serious issue and protecting the resources industry
in this way. This legislation will help to protect the $160 billion worth of
projects in the pipeline in this state. Most importantly, it will help to
protect the 106 000 jobs in the mining and oil and petroleum industry.
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