❓ A parliamentary question regarding the government's plan to declare the coastal region between the Abrolhos Islands and Fremantle a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA). The Minister's response outlines the potential impacts, consultation process, and timeline for the proposal.
AnsweredQoN 1560Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to his media statement yesterday concerning the Government’s intention to have the coastal region between the Abrolhos Islands and Fremantle declared a particularly sensitive sea area by the International Maritime Organisation. (1) What impact would such a declaration have on - (a) international shipping through the area; (b) domestic shipping through the area; (c) oil and gas exploration and production at sea; and (d) fishing vessels operating in the region? (2) Did the minister consult any shipping, fishing or oil and gas industry participants before making his announcement; and, if so, whom did he consult? (3) Did anyone express concerns over that proposal; and, if so, what were those concerns? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
I am particularly grateful to the Leader of the Opposition for drawing attention - Hon Dee Margetts: As am I. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank the member. I am grateful to him for drawing attention to what I think is one of the more exciting proposals of the Gallop Government, which in this case is to protect the environment of the central west coast. Hon Barbara Scott interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank Hon Barbara Scott very much. (1) The declaration of a particularly sensitive sea area has potential implications for international and domestic shipping, oil and gas exploration and production at sea and fishing vessels in that it would identify areas that are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks associated with oil and chemical spills. Future control measures would include identification of areas that should be avoided if it does not cause unreasonable restriction on the passage of commercial vessels. (2)-(3) I have approved the expenditure of $60 000 from the development and better interest fund to employ a project officer to prepare a nomination for PSSA status under the direction of a specialist steering committee. This process will include direct consultation with representatives of all interested stakeholder groups, including those from the shipping and the oil and gas industries. I have advised the federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services of the Government’s intentions, and they have raised some issues. All issues of concern expressed by interested individuals or groups will be taken into careful consideration during the process of preparing a nomination for PSSA status. The most important words are probably in the last line of that answer, which outlines that we are at the stage of preparation for a nomination for PSSA status. Although this answer did not provide the time line - the question did not seek it - I expect that the shortest possible time line for the process of nominations consideration to be around three years. In fact, if - Hon Norman Moore: It sounds like the Gorgon project all over again. Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
(1) What impact would such a declaration have on - (a) international shipping through the area; (b) domestic shipping through the area; (c) oil and gas exploration and production at sea; and (d) fishing vessels operating in the region? (2) Did the minister consult any shipping, fishing or oil and gas industry participants before making his announcement; and, if so, whom did he consult? (3) Did anyone express concerns over that proposal; and, if so, what were those concerns? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I am particularly grateful to the Leader of the Opposition for drawing attention - Hon Dee Margetts: As am I. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank the member. I am grateful to him for drawing attention to what I think is one of the more exciting proposals of the Gallop Government, which in this case is to protect the environment of the central west coast. Hon Barbara Scott interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank Hon Barbara Scott very much. (1) The declaration of a particularly sensitive sea area has potential implications for international and domestic shipping, oil and gas exploration and production at sea and fishing vessels in that it would identify areas that are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks associated with oil and chemical spills. Future control measures would include identification of areas that should be avoided if it does not cause unreasonable restriction on the passage of commercial vessels. (2)-(3) I have approved the expenditure of $60 000 from the development and better interest fund to employ a project officer to prepare a nomination for PSSA status under the direction of a specialist steering committee. This process will include direct consultation with representatives of all interested stakeholder groups, including those from the shipping and the oil and gas industries. I have advised the federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services of the Government’s intentions, and they have raised some issues. All issues of concern expressed by interested individuals or groups will be taken into careful consideration during the process of preparing a nomination for PSSA status. The most important words are probably in the last line of that answer, which outlines that we are at the stage of preparation for a nomination for PSSA status. Although this answer did not provide the time line - the question did not seek it - I expect that the shortest possible time line for the process of nominations consideration to be around three years. In fact, if - Hon Norman Moore: It sounds like the Gorgon project all over again. Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
(b) domestic shipping through the area; (c) oil and gas exploration and production at sea; and (d) fishing vessels operating in the region?
(c) oil and gas exploration and production at sea; and (d) fishing vessels operating in the region?
(d) fishing vessels operating in the region?
(3) Did anyone express concerns over that proposal; and, if so, what were those concerns? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I am particularly grateful to the Leader of the Opposition for drawing attention - Hon Dee Margetts: As am I. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank the member. I am grateful to him for drawing attention to what I think is one of the more exciting proposals of the Gallop Government, which in this case is to protect the environment of the central west coast. Hon Barbara Scott interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank Hon Barbara Scott very much. (1) The declaration of a particularly sensitive sea area has potential implications for international and domestic shipping, oil and gas exploration and production at sea and fishing vessels in that it would identify areas that are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks associated with oil and chemical spills. Future control measures would include identification of areas that should be avoided if it does not cause unreasonable restriction on the passage of commercial vessels. (2)-(3) I have approved the expenditure of $60 000 from the development and better interest fund to employ a project officer to prepare a nomination for PSSA status under the direction of a specialist steering committee. This process will include direct consultation with representatives of all interested stakeholder groups, including those from the shipping and the oil and gas industries. I have advised the federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services of the Government’s intentions, and they have raised some issues. All issues of concern expressed by interested individuals or groups will be taken into careful consideration during the process of preparing a nomination for PSSA status. The most important words are probably in the last line of that answer, which outlines that we are at the stage of preparation for a nomination for PSSA status. Although this answer did not provide the time line - the question did not seek it - I expect that the shortest possible time line for the process of nominations consideration to be around three years. In fact, if - Hon Norman Moore: It sounds like the Gorgon project all over again. Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I am particularly grateful to the Leader of the Opposition for drawing attention - Hon Dee Margetts: As am I. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank the member. I am grateful to him for drawing attention to what I think is one of the more exciting proposals of the Gallop Government, which in this case is to protect the environment of the central west coast. Hon Barbara Scott interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank Hon Barbara Scott very much. (1) The declaration of a particularly sensitive sea area has potential implications for international and domestic shipping, oil and gas exploration and production at sea and fishing vessels in that it would identify areas that are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks associated with oil and chemical spills. Future control measures would include identification of areas that should be avoided if it does not cause unreasonable restriction on the passage of commercial vessels. (2)-(3) I have approved the expenditure of $60 000 from the development and better interest fund to employ a project officer to prepare a nomination for PSSA status under the direction of a specialist steering committee. This process will include direct consultation with representatives of all interested stakeholder groups, including those from the shipping and the oil and gas industries. I have advised the federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services of the Government’s intentions, and they have raised some issues. All issues of concern expressed by interested individuals or groups will be taken into careful consideration during the process of preparing a nomination for PSSA status. The most important words are probably in the last line of that answer, which outlines that we are at the stage of preparation for a nomination for PSSA status. Although this answer did not provide the time line - the question did not seek it - I expect that the shortest possible time line for the process of nominations consideration to be around three years. In fact, if - Hon Norman Moore: It sounds like the Gorgon project all over again. Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
I am particularly grateful to the Leader of the Opposition for drawing attention - Hon Dee Margetts: As am I. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank the member. I am grateful to him for drawing attention to what I think is one of the more exciting proposals of the Gallop Government, which in this case is to protect the environment of the central west coast. Hon Barbara Scott interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank Hon Barbara Scott very much. (1) The declaration of a particularly sensitive sea area has potential implications for international and domestic shipping, oil and gas exploration and production at sea and fishing vessels in that it would identify areas that are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks associated with oil and chemical spills. Future control measures would include identification of areas that should be avoided if it does not cause unreasonable restriction on the passage of commercial vessels. (2)-(3) I have approved the expenditure of $60 000 from the development and better interest fund to employ a project officer to prepare a nomination for PSSA status under the direction of a specialist steering committee. This process will include direct consultation with representatives of all interested stakeholder groups, including those from the shipping and the oil and gas industries. I have advised the federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services of the Government’s intentions, and they have raised some issues. All issues of concern expressed by interested individuals or groups will be taken into careful consideration during the process of preparing a nomination for PSSA status. The most important words are probably in the last line of that answer, which outlines that we are at the stage of preparation for a nomination for PSSA status. Although this answer did not provide the time line - the question did not seek it - I expect that the shortest possible time line for the process of nominations consideration to be around three years. In fact, if - Hon Norman Moore: It sounds like the Gorgon project all over again. Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
Hon Dee Margetts: As am I. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank the member. I am grateful to him for drawing attention to what I think is one of the more exciting proposals of the Gallop Government, which in this case is to protect the environment of the central west coast. Hon Barbara Scott interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank Hon Barbara Scott very much. (1) The declaration of a particularly sensitive sea area has potential implications for international and domestic shipping, oil and gas exploration and production at sea and fishing vessels in that it would identify areas that are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks associated with oil and chemical spills. Future control measures would include identification of areas that should be avoided if it does not cause unreasonable restriction on the passage of commercial vessels. (2)-(3) I have approved the expenditure of $60 000 from the development and better interest fund to employ a project officer to prepare a nomination for PSSA status under the direction of a specialist steering committee. This process will include direct consultation with representatives of all interested stakeholder groups, including those from the shipping and the oil and gas industries. I have advised the federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services of the Government’s intentions, and they have raised some issues. All issues of concern expressed by interested individuals or groups will be taken into careful consideration during the process of preparing a nomination for PSSA status. The most important words are probably in the last line of that answer, which outlines that we are at the stage of preparation for a nomination for PSSA status. Although this answer did not provide the time line - the question did not seek it - I expect that the shortest possible time line for the process of nominations consideration to be around three years. In fact, if - Hon Norman Moore: It sounds like the Gorgon project all over again. Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank the member. I am grateful to him for drawing attention to what I think is one of the more exciting proposals of the Gallop Government, which in this case is to protect the environment of the central west coast. Hon Barbara Scott interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank Hon Barbara Scott very much. (1) The declaration of a particularly sensitive sea area has potential implications for international and domestic shipping, oil and gas exploration and production at sea and fishing vessels in that it would identify areas that are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks associated with oil and chemical spills. Future control measures would include identification of areas that should be avoided if it does not cause unreasonable restriction on the passage of commercial vessels. (2)-(3) I have approved the expenditure of $60 000 from the development and better interest fund to employ a project officer to prepare a nomination for PSSA status under the direction of a specialist steering committee. This process will include direct consultation with representatives of all interested stakeholder groups, including those from the shipping and the oil and gas industries. I have advised the federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services of the Government’s intentions, and they have raised some issues. All issues of concern expressed by interested individuals or groups will be taken into careful consideration during the process of preparing a nomination for PSSA status. The most important words are probably in the last line of that answer, which outlines that we are at the stage of preparation for a nomination for PSSA status. Although this answer did not provide the time line - the question did not seek it - I expect that the shortest possible time line for the process of nominations consideration to be around three years. In fact, if - Hon Norman Moore: It sounds like the Gorgon project all over again. Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
Hon Barbara Scott interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank Hon Barbara Scott very much. (1) The declaration of a particularly sensitive sea area has potential implications for international and domestic shipping, oil and gas exploration and production at sea and fishing vessels in that it would identify areas that are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks associated with oil and chemical spills. Future control measures would include identification of areas that should be avoided if it does not cause unreasonable restriction on the passage of commercial vessels. (2)-(3) I have approved the expenditure of $60 000 from the development and better interest fund to employ a project officer to prepare a nomination for PSSA status under the direction of a specialist steering committee. This process will include direct consultation with representatives of all interested stakeholder groups, including those from the shipping and the oil and gas industries. I have advised the federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services of the Government’s intentions, and they have raised some issues. All issues of concern expressed by interested individuals or groups will be taken into careful consideration during the process of preparing a nomination for PSSA status. The most important words are probably in the last line of that answer, which outlines that we are at the stage of preparation for a nomination for PSSA status. Although this answer did not provide the time line - the question did not seek it - I expect that the shortest possible time line for the process of nominations consideration to be around three years. In fact, if - Hon Norman Moore: It sounds like the Gorgon project all over again. Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank Hon Barbara Scott very much. (1) The declaration of a particularly sensitive sea area has potential implications for international and domestic shipping, oil and gas exploration and production at sea and fishing vessels in that it would identify areas that are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks associated with oil and chemical spills. Future control measures would include identification of areas that should be avoided if it does not cause unreasonable restriction on the passage of commercial vessels. (2)-(3) I have approved the expenditure of $60 000 from the development and better interest fund to employ a project officer to prepare a nomination for PSSA status under the direction of a specialist steering committee. This process will include direct consultation with representatives of all interested stakeholder groups, including those from the shipping and the oil and gas industries. I have advised the federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services of the Government’s intentions, and they have raised some issues. All issues of concern expressed by interested individuals or groups will be taken into careful consideration during the process of preparing a nomination for PSSA status. The most important words are probably in the last line of that answer, which outlines that we are at the stage of preparation for a nomination for PSSA status. Although this answer did not provide the time line - the question did not seek it - I expect that the shortest possible time line for the process of nominations consideration to be around three years. In fact, if - Hon Norman Moore: It sounds like the Gorgon project all over again. Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
(1) The declaration of a particularly sensitive sea area has potential implications for international and domestic shipping, oil and gas exploration and production at sea and fishing vessels in that it would identify areas that are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks associated with oil and chemical spills. Future control measures would include identification of areas that should be avoided if it does not cause unreasonable restriction on the passage of commercial vessels. (2)-(3) I have approved the expenditure of $60 000 from the development and better interest fund to employ a project officer to prepare a nomination for PSSA status under the direction of a specialist steering committee. This process will include direct consultation with representatives of all interested stakeholder groups, including those from the shipping and the oil and gas industries. I have advised the federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services of the Government’s intentions, and they have raised some issues. All issues of concern expressed by interested individuals or groups will be taken into careful consideration during the process of preparing a nomination for PSSA status. The most important words are probably in the last line of that answer, which outlines that we are at the stage of preparation for a nomination for PSSA status. Although this answer did not provide the time line - the question did not seek it - I expect that the shortest possible time line for the process of nominations consideration to be around three years. In fact, if - Hon Norman Moore: It sounds like the Gorgon project all over again. Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
(2)-(3) I have approved the expenditure of $60 000 from the development and better interest fund to employ a project officer to prepare a nomination for PSSA status under the direction of a specialist steering committee. This process will include direct consultation with representatives of all interested stakeholder groups, including those from the shipping and the oil and gas industries. I have advised the federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services of the Government’s intentions, and they have raised some issues. All issues of concern expressed by interested individuals or groups will be taken into careful consideration during the process of preparing a nomination for PSSA status. The most important words are probably in the last line of that answer, which outlines that we are at the stage of preparation for a nomination for PSSA status. Although this answer did not provide the time line - the question did not seek it - I expect that the shortest possible time line for the process of nominations consideration to be around three years. In fact, if - Hon Norman Moore: It sounds like the Gorgon project all over again. Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
(1) What impact would such a declaration have on - (a) international shipping through the area; (b) domestic shipping through the area; (c) oil and gas exploration and production at sea; and (d) fishing vessels operating in the region? (2) Did the minister consult any shipping, fishing or oil and gas industry participants before making his announcement; and, if so, whom did he consult? (3) Did anyone express concerns over that proposal; and, if so, what were those concerns? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I am particularly grateful to the Leader of the Opposition for drawing attention - Hon Dee Margetts: As am I. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank the member. I am grateful to him for drawing attention to what I think is one of the more exciting proposals of the Gallop Government, which in this case is to protect the environment of the central west coast. Hon Barbara Scott interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank Hon Barbara Scott very much. (1) The declaration of a particularly sensitive sea area has potential implications for international and domestic shipping, oil and gas exploration and production at sea and fishing vessels in that it would identify areas that are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks associated with oil and chemical spills. Future control measures would include identification of areas that should be avoided if it does not cause unreasonable restriction on the passage of commercial vessels. (2)-(3) I have approved the expenditure of $60 000 from the development and better interest fund to employ a project officer to prepare a nomination for PSSA status under the direction of a specialist steering committee. This process will include direct consultation with representatives of all interested stakeholder groups, including those from the shipping and the oil and gas industries. I have advised the federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services of the Government’s intentions, and they have raised some issues. All issues of concern expressed by interested individuals or groups will be taken into careful consideration during the process of preparing a nomination for PSSA status. The most important words are probably in the last line of that answer, which outlines that we are at the stage of preparation for a nomination for PSSA status. Although this answer did not provide the time line - the question did not seek it - I expect that the shortest possible time line for the process of nominations consideration to be around three years. In fact, if - Hon Norman Moore: It sounds like the Gorgon project all over again. Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
(b) domestic shipping through the area; (c) oil and gas exploration and production at sea; and (d) fishing vessels operating in the region?
(c) oil and gas exploration and production at sea; and (d) fishing vessels operating in the region?
(d) fishing vessels operating in the region?
(3) Did anyone express concerns over that proposal; and, if so, what were those concerns? Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I am particularly grateful to the Leader of the Opposition for drawing attention - Hon Dee Margetts: As am I. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank the member. I am grateful to him for drawing attention to what I think is one of the more exciting proposals of the Gallop Government, which in this case is to protect the environment of the central west coast. Hon Barbara Scott interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank Hon Barbara Scott very much. (1) The declaration of a particularly sensitive sea area has potential implications for international and domestic shipping, oil and gas exploration and production at sea and fishing vessels in that it would identify areas that are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks associated with oil and chemical spills. Future control measures would include identification of areas that should be avoided if it does not cause unreasonable restriction on the passage of commercial vessels. (2)-(3) I have approved the expenditure of $60 000 from the development and better interest fund to employ a project officer to prepare a nomination for PSSA status under the direction of a specialist steering committee. This process will include direct consultation with representatives of all interested stakeholder groups, including those from the shipping and the oil and gas industries. I have advised the federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services of the Government’s intentions, and they have raised some issues. All issues of concern expressed by interested individuals or groups will be taken into careful consideration during the process of preparing a nomination for PSSA status. The most important words are probably in the last line of that answer, which outlines that we are at the stage of preparation for a nomination for PSSA status. Although this answer did not provide the time line - the question did not seek it - I expect that the shortest possible time line for the process of nominations consideration to be around three years. In fact, if - Hon Norman Moore: It sounds like the Gorgon project all over again. Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied : I am particularly grateful to the Leader of the Opposition for drawing attention - Hon Dee Margetts: As am I. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank the member. I am grateful to him for drawing attention to what I think is one of the more exciting proposals of the Gallop Government, which in this case is to protect the environment of the central west coast. Hon Barbara Scott interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank Hon Barbara Scott very much. (1) The declaration of a particularly sensitive sea area has potential implications for international and domestic shipping, oil and gas exploration and production at sea and fishing vessels in that it would identify areas that are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks associated with oil and chemical spills. Future control measures would include identification of areas that should be avoided if it does not cause unreasonable restriction on the passage of commercial vessels. (2)-(3) I have approved the expenditure of $60 000 from the development and better interest fund to employ a project officer to prepare a nomination for PSSA status under the direction of a specialist steering committee. This process will include direct consultation with representatives of all interested stakeholder groups, including those from the shipping and the oil and gas industries. I have advised the federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services of the Government’s intentions, and they have raised some issues. All issues of concern expressed by interested individuals or groups will be taken into careful consideration during the process of preparing a nomination for PSSA status. The most important words are probably in the last line of that answer, which outlines that we are at the stage of preparation for a nomination for PSSA status. Although this answer did not provide the time line - the question did not seek it - I expect that the shortest possible time line for the process of nominations consideration to be around three years. In fact, if - Hon Norman Moore: It sounds like the Gorgon project all over again. Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
I am particularly grateful to the Leader of the Opposition for drawing attention - Hon Dee Margetts: As am I. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank the member. I am grateful to him for drawing attention to what I think is one of the more exciting proposals of the Gallop Government, which in this case is to protect the environment of the central west coast. Hon Barbara Scott interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank Hon Barbara Scott very much. (1) The declaration of a particularly sensitive sea area has potential implications for international and domestic shipping, oil and gas exploration and production at sea and fishing vessels in that it would identify areas that are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks associated with oil and chemical spills. Future control measures would include identification of areas that should be avoided if it does not cause unreasonable restriction on the passage of commercial vessels. (2)-(3) I have approved the expenditure of $60 000 from the development and better interest fund to employ a project officer to prepare a nomination for PSSA status under the direction of a specialist steering committee. This process will include direct consultation with representatives of all interested stakeholder groups, including those from the shipping and the oil and gas industries. I have advised the federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services of the Government’s intentions, and they have raised some issues. All issues of concern expressed by interested individuals or groups will be taken into careful consideration during the process of preparing a nomination for PSSA status. The most important words are probably in the last line of that answer, which outlines that we are at the stage of preparation for a nomination for PSSA status. Although this answer did not provide the time line - the question did not seek it - I expect that the shortest possible time line for the process of nominations consideration to be around three years. In fact, if - Hon Norman Moore: It sounds like the Gorgon project all over again. Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
Hon Dee Margetts: As am I. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank the member. I am grateful to him for drawing attention to what I think is one of the more exciting proposals of the Gallop Government, which in this case is to protect the environment of the central west coast. Hon Barbara Scott interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank Hon Barbara Scott very much. (1) The declaration of a particularly sensitive sea area has potential implications for international and domestic shipping, oil and gas exploration and production at sea and fishing vessels in that it would identify areas that are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks associated with oil and chemical spills. Future control measures would include identification of areas that should be avoided if it does not cause unreasonable restriction on the passage of commercial vessels. (2)-(3) I have approved the expenditure of $60 000 from the development and better interest fund to employ a project officer to prepare a nomination for PSSA status under the direction of a specialist steering committee. This process will include direct consultation with representatives of all interested stakeholder groups, including those from the shipping and the oil and gas industries. I have advised the federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services of the Government’s intentions, and they have raised some issues. All issues of concern expressed by interested individuals or groups will be taken into careful consideration during the process of preparing a nomination for PSSA status. The most important words are probably in the last line of that answer, which outlines that we are at the stage of preparation for a nomination for PSSA status. Although this answer did not provide the time line - the question did not seek it - I expect that the shortest possible time line for the process of nominations consideration to be around three years. In fact, if - Hon Norman Moore: It sounds like the Gorgon project all over again. Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank the member. I am grateful to him for drawing attention to what I think is one of the more exciting proposals of the Gallop Government, which in this case is to protect the environment of the central west coast. Hon Barbara Scott interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank Hon Barbara Scott very much. (1) The declaration of a particularly sensitive sea area has potential implications for international and domestic shipping, oil and gas exploration and production at sea and fishing vessels in that it would identify areas that are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks associated with oil and chemical spills. Future control measures would include identification of areas that should be avoided if it does not cause unreasonable restriction on the passage of commercial vessels. (2)-(3) I have approved the expenditure of $60 000 from the development and better interest fund to employ a project officer to prepare a nomination for PSSA status under the direction of a specialist steering committee. This process will include direct consultation with representatives of all interested stakeholder groups, including those from the shipping and the oil and gas industries. I have advised the federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services of the Government’s intentions, and they have raised some issues. All issues of concern expressed by interested individuals or groups will be taken into careful consideration during the process of preparing a nomination for PSSA status. The most important words are probably in the last line of that answer, which outlines that we are at the stage of preparation for a nomination for PSSA status. Although this answer did not provide the time line - the question did not seek it - I expect that the shortest possible time line for the process of nominations consideration to be around three years. In fact, if - Hon Norman Moore: It sounds like the Gorgon project all over again. Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
Hon Barbara Scott interjected. Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank Hon Barbara Scott very much. (1) The declaration of a particularly sensitive sea area has potential implications for international and domestic shipping, oil and gas exploration and production at sea and fishing vessels in that it would identify areas that are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks associated with oil and chemical spills. Future control measures would include identification of areas that should be avoided if it does not cause unreasonable restriction on the passage of commercial vessels. (2)-(3) I have approved the expenditure of $60 000 from the development and better interest fund to employ a project officer to prepare a nomination for PSSA status under the direction of a specialist steering committee. This process will include direct consultation with representatives of all interested stakeholder groups, including those from the shipping and the oil and gas industries. I have advised the federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services of the Government’s intentions, and they have raised some issues. All issues of concern expressed by interested individuals or groups will be taken into careful consideration during the process of preparing a nomination for PSSA status. The most important words are probably in the last line of that answer, which outlines that we are at the stage of preparation for a nomination for PSSA status. Although this answer did not provide the time line - the question did not seek it - I expect that the shortest possible time line for the process of nominations consideration to be around three years. In fact, if - Hon Norman Moore: It sounds like the Gorgon project all over again. Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
Hon KIM CHANCE: I thank Hon Barbara Scott very much. (1) The declaration of a particularly sensitive sea area has potential implications for international and domestic shipping, oil and gas exploration and production at sea and fishing vessels in that it would identify areas that are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks associated with oil and chemical spills. Future control measures would include identification of areas that should be avoided if it does not cause unreasonable restriction on the passage of commercial vessels. (2)-(3) I have approved the expenditure of $60 000 from the development and better interest fund to employ a project officer to prepare a nomination for PSSA status under the direction of a specialist steering committee. This process will include direct consultation with representatives of all interested stakeholder groups, including those from the shipping and the oil and gas industries. I have advised the federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services of the Government’s intentions, and they have raised some issues. All issues of concern expressed by interested individuals or groups will be taken into careful consideration during the process of preparing a nomination for PSSA status. The most important words are probably in the last line of that answer, which outlines that we are at the stage of preparation for a nomination for PSSA status. Although this answer did not provide the time line - the question did not seek it - I expect that the shortest possible time line for the process of nominations consideration to be around three years. In fact, if - Hon Norman Moore: It sounds like the Gorgon project all over again. Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
(1) The declaration of a particularly sensitive sea area has potential implications for international and domestic shipping, oil and gas exploration and production at sea and fishing vessels in that it would identify areas that are particularly vulnerable to environmental risks associated with oil and chemical spills. Future control measures would include identification of areas that should be avoided if it does not cause unreasonable restriction on the passage of commercial vessels. (2)-(3) I have approved the expenditure of $60 000 from the development and better interest fund to employ a project officer to prepare a nomination for PSSA status under the direction of a specialist steering committee. This process will include direct consultation with representatives of all interested stakeholder groups, including those from the shipping and the oil and gas industries. I have advised the federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services of the Government’s intentions, and they have raised some issues. All issues of concern expressed by interested individuals or groups will be taken into careful consideration during the process of preparing a nomination for PSSA status. The most important words are probably in the last line of that answer, which outlines that we are at the stage of preparation for a nomination for PSSA status. Although this answer did not provide the time line - the question did not seek it - I expect that the shortest possible time line for the process of nominations consideration to be around three years. In fact, if - Hon Norman Moore: It sounds like the Gorgon project all over again. Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
(2)-(3) I have approved the expenditure of $60 000 from the development and better interest fund to employ a project officer to prepare a nomination for PSSA status under the direction of a specialist steering committee. This process will include direct consultation with representatives of all interested stakeholder groups, including those from the shipping and the oil and gas industries. I have advised the federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage and the federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services of the Government’s intentions, and they have raised some issues. All issues of concern expressed by interested individuals or groups will be taken into careful consideration during the process of preparing a nomination for PSSA status. The most important words are probably in the last line of that answer, which outlines that we are at the stage of preparation for a nomination for PSSA status. Although this answer did not provide the time line - the question did not seek it - I expect that the shortest possible time line for the process of nominations consideration to be around three years. In fact, if - Hon Norman Moore: It sounds like the Gorgon project all over again. Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
Hon KIM CHANCE: If we can get a particularly sensitive sea area up in three years, that would be a reasonable outcome. There are six such particularly sensitive sea areas around the world, one of which is in Australia - the Great Barrier Reef. Each of those has taken some years to get up because they have to be negotiated under international maritime law. However, this is an important issue and was given some impetus around 1991 when people first started thinking about it and when the Kirki hit a reef just out of Lancelin and dumped some 17 000 tonnes of fuel oil into the ocean. If that had occurred in or near the Abrolhos region, we would have had one of the biggest marine tragedies in Australia’s history. Happily, that matter was contained. I do not think this is an issue on which we can afford to take any risks. However, the important matter with respect to the oil and gas exploration industry is that all that is required under the provisions of a PSSA is certainty and security that people operating production or exploration work in the area do so at the world’s best practice. I do not think any company operating in Western Australian waters would even consider operating at anything less than world’s best practice, and we should not expect them to.
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