❓ Mr. Day questions the Minister for Energy regarding recommendations made to Apache Energy after the Varanus Island explosion and the follow-up actions. The Minister refuses to detail the recommendations, citing advice that releasing the information would undermine the ongoing investigation.
AnsweredQoN 326Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
APACHE ENERGY GAS PLANT EXPLOSION — VARANUS ISLAND INSPECTION RECOMMENDATIONS
I refer to my question yesterday. (1) Will the minister now detail the recommendations made by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority to Apache Energy about the Varanus Island facilities in March and April this year? (2) Can the minister further outline the specific follow-up actions that have been undertaken by the Department of Industry and Resources to ensure the recommendations have been complied with? Mr F.M. LOGAN
I refer to my question yesterday. (1) Will the minister now detail the recommendations made by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority to Apache Energy about the Varanus Island facilities in March and April this year? (2) Can the minister further outline the specific follow-up actions that have been undertaken by the Department of Industry and Resources to ensure the recommendations have been complied with? Mr F.M. LOGAN
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) I think the question goes to the speculation that seems to be rampant in Perth at the moment. It appears that everyone has now become a petroleum engineer, giving everybody advice—giving the government advice, giving NOPSA advice and obviously giving Apache Energy advice about its facilities. We have had very strong advice, member for Darling Range, from NOPSA and from the department itself that the release at this time of any of the documents that refer to Apache—that includes the March document to which I referred yesterday and the two other documents to which I referred that go back to August, and there are three other documents that go back to when NOPSA took over in 2005—will have a detrimental effect on the investigation of the Varanus Island incident. We do not want to undermine this investigation. This investigation is critical, not only to the state, but also to Apache itself and Apache’s customers. Mr T. Buswell : How? Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am sure that the Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Party do not want to undermine this investigation. The way they are going about it will undermine this investigation. That is what will occur. If this investigation is undermined by the work of the opposition, it will be in serious trouble. Mr T. Buswell : Why won’t you release the documents? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Because we have been given that advice. Mr J.H.D. Day : By whom? Mr F.M. LOGAN : We have been advised by NOPSA and by the department that the release of any of these documents that ultimately, as a whole, may go to the conclusion of taking evidence in the investigation of this explosion could be detrimental to that investigation. If that investigation is undermined, it will be appalling, not only for this state, but also for Apache itself. We will not do that. We have been given very strong advice not to do it, and I am passing that advice on to the member for Darling Range.
(1) Will the minister now detail the recommendations made by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority to Apache Energy about the Varanus Island facilities in March and April this year? (2) Can the minister further outline the specific follow-up actions that have been undertaken by the Department of Industry and Resources to ensure the recommendations have been complied with? Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: (1)-(2) I think the question goes to the speculation that seems to be rampant in Perth at the moment. It appears that everyone has now become a petroleum engineer, giving everybody advice—giving the government advice, giving NOPSA advice and obviously giving Apache Energy advice about its facilities. We have had very strong advice, member for Darling Range, from NOPSA and from the department itself that the release at this time of any of the documents that refer to Apache—that includes the March document to which I referred yesterday and the two other documents to which I referred that go back to August, and there are three other documents that go back to when NOPSA took over in 2005—will have a detrimental effect on the investigation of the Varanus Island incident. We do not want to undermine this investigation. This investigation is critical, not only to the state, but also to Apache itself and Apache’s customers. Mr T. Buswell : How? Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am sure that the Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Party do not want to undermine this investigation. The way they are going about it will undermine this investigation. That is what will occur. If this investigation is undermined by the work of the opposition, it will be in serious trouble. Mr T. Buswell : Why won’t you release the documents? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Because we have been given that advice. Mr J.H.D. Day : By whom? Mr F.M. LOGAN : We have been advised by NOPSA and by the department that the release of any of these documents that ultimately, as a whole, may go to the conclusion of taking evidence in the investigation of this explosion could be detrimental to that investigation. If that investigation is undermined, it will be appalling, not only for this state, but also for Apache itself. We will not do that. We have been given very strong advice not to do it, and I am passing that advice on to the member for Darling Range.
(2) Can the minister further outline the specific follow-up actions that have been undertaken by the Department of Industry and Resources to ensure the recommendations have been complied with? Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: (1)-(2) I think the question goes to the speculation that seems to be rampant in Perth at the moment. It appears that everyone has now become a petroleum engineer, giving everybody advice—giving the government advice, giving NOPSA advice and obviously giving Apache Energy advice about its facilities. We have had very strong advice, member for Darling Range, from NOPSA and from the department itself that the release at this time of any of the documents that refer to Apache—that includes the March document to which I referred yesterday and the two other documents to which I referred that go back to August, and there are three other documents that go back to when NOPSA took over in 2005—will have a detrimental effect on the investigation of the Varanus Island incident. We do not want to undermine this investigation. This investigation is critical, not only to the state, but also to Apache itself and Apache’s customers. Mr T. Buswell : How? Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am sure that the Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Party do not want to undermine this investigation. The way they are going about it will undermine this investigation. That is what will occur. If this investigation is undermined by the work of the opposition, it will be in serious trouble. Mr T. Buswell : Why won’t you release the documents? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Because we have been given that advice. Mr J.H.D. Day : By whom? Mr F.M. LOGAN : We have been advised by NOPSA and by the department that the release of any of these documents that ultimately, as a whole, may go to the conclusion of taking evidence in the investigation of this explosion could be detrimental to that investigation. If that investigation is undermined, it will be appalling, not only for this state, but also for Apache itself. We will not do that. We have been given very strong advice not to do it, and I am passing that advice on to the member for Darling Range.
Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: (1)-(2) I think the question goes to the speculation that seems to be rampant in Perth at the moment. It appears that everyone has now become a petroleum engineer, giving everybody advice—giving the government advice, giving NOPSA advice and obviously giving Apache Energy advice about its facilities. We have had very strong advice, member for Darling Range, from NOPSA and from the department itself that the release at this time of any of the documents that refer to Apache—that includes the March document to which I referred yesterday and the two other documents to which I referred that go back to August, and there are three other documents that go back to when NOPSA took over in 2005—will have a detrimental effect on the investigation of the Varanus Island incident. We do not want to undermine this investigation. This investigation is critical, not only to the state, but also to Apache itself and Apache’s customers. Mr T. Buswell : How? Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am sure that the Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Party do not want to undermine this investigation. The way they are going about it will undermine this investigation. That is what will occur. If this investigation is undermined by the work of the opposition, it will be in serious trouble. Mr T. Buswell : Why won’t you release the documents? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Because we have been given that advice. Mr J.H.D. Day : By whom? Mr F.M. LOGAN : We have been advised by NOPSA and by the department that the release of any of these documents that ultimately, as a whole, may go to the conclusion of taking evidence in the investigation of this explosion could be detrimental to that investigation. If that investigation is undermined, it will be appalling, not only for this state, but also for Apache itself. We will not do that. We have been given very strong advice not to do it, and I am passing that advice on to the member for Darling Range.
(1)-(2) I think the question goes to the speculation that seems to be rampant in Perth at the moment. It appears that everyone has now become a petroleum engineer, giving everybody advice—giving the government advice, giving NOPSA advice and obviously giving Apache Energy advice about its facilities. We have had very strong advice, member for Darling Range, from NOPSA and from the department itself that the release at this time of any of the documents that refer to Apache—that includes the March document to which I referred yesterday and the two other documents to which I referred that go back to August, and there are three other documents that go back to when NOPSA took over in 2005—will have a detrimental effect on the investigation of the Varanus Island incident. We do not want to undermine this investigation. This investigation is critical, not only to the state, but also to Apache itself and Apache’s customers. Mr T. Buswell : How? Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am sure that the Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Party do not want to undermine this investigation. The way they are going about it will undermine this investigation. That is what will occur. If this investigation is undermined by the work of the opposition, it will be in serious trouble. Mr T. Buswell : Why won’t you release the documents? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Because we have been given that advice. Mr J.H.D. Day : By whom? Mr F.M. LOGAN : We have been advised by NOPSA and by the department that the release of any of these documents that ultimately, as a whole, may go to the conclusion of taking evidence in the investigation of this explosion could be detrimental to that investigation. If that investigation is undermined, it will be appalling, not only for this state, but also for Apache itself. We will not do that. We have been given very strong advice not to do it, and I am passing that advice on to the member for Darling Range.
Mr T. Buswell : How? Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am sure that the Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Party do not want to undermine this investigation. The way they are going about it will undermine this investigation. That is what will occur. If this investigation is undermined by the work of the opposition, it will be in serious trouble. Mr T. Buswell : Why won’t you release the documents? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Because we have been given that advice. Mr J.H.D. Day : By whom? Mr F.M. LOGAN : We have been advised by NOPSA and by the department that the release of any of these documents that ultimately, as a whole, may go to the conclusion of taking evidence in the investigation of this explosion could be detrimental to that investigation. If that investigation is undermined, it will be appalling, not only for this state, but also for Apache itself. We will not do that. We have been given very strong advice not to do it, and I am passing that advice on to the member for Darling Range.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am sure that the Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Party do not want to undermine this investigation. The way they are going about it will undermine this investigation. That is what will occur. If this investigation is undermined by the work of the opposition, it will be in serious trouble. Mr T. Buswell : Why won’t you release the documents? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Because we have been given that advice. Mr J.H.D. Day : By whom? Mr F.M. LOGAN : We have been advised by NOPSA and by the department that the release of any of these documents that ultimately, as a whole, may go to the conclusion of taking evidence in the investigation of this explosion could be detrimental to that investigation. If that investigation is undermined, it will be appalling, not only for this state, but also for Apache itself. We will not do that. We have been given very strong advice not to do it, and I am passing that advice on to the member for Darling Range.
Mr T. Buswell : Why won’t you release the documents? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Because we have been given that advice. Mr J.H.D. Day : By whom? Mr F.M. LOGAN : We have been advised by NOPSA and by the department that the release of any of these documents that ultimately, as a whole, may go to the conclusion of taking evidence in the investigation of this explosion could be detrimental to that investigation. If that investigation is undermined, it will be appalling, not only for this state, but also for Apache itself. We will not do that. We have been given very strong advice not to do it, and I am passing that advice on to the member for Darling Range.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : Because we have been given that advice. Mr J.H.D. Day : By whom? Mr F.M. LOGAN : We have been advised by NOPSA and by the department that the release of any of these documents that ultimately, as a whole, may go to the conclusion of taking evidence in the investigation of this explosion could be detrimental to that investigation. If that investigation is undermined, it will be appalling, not only for this state, but also for Apache itself. We will not do that. We have been given very strong advice not to do it, and I am passing that advice on to the member for Darling Range.
Mr J.H.D. Day : By whom? Mr F.M. LOGAN : We have been advised by NOPSA and by the department that the release of any of these documents that ultimately, as a whole, may go to the conclusion of taking evidence in the investigation of this explosion could be detrimental to that investigation. If that investigation is undermined, it will be appalling, not only for this state, but also for Apache itself. We will not do that. We have been given very strong advice not to do it, and I am passing that advice on to the member for Darling Range.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : We have been advised by NOPSA and by the department that the release of any of these documents that ultimately, as a whole, may go to the conclusion of taking evidence in the investigation of this explosion could be detrimental to that investigation. If that investigation is undermined, it will be appalling, not only for this state, but also for Apache itself. We will not do that. We have been given very strong advice not to do it, and I am passing that advice on to the member for Darling Range.
(1) Will the minister now detail the recommendations made by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority to Apache Energy about the Varanus Island facilities in March and April this year? (2) Can the minister further outline the specific follow-up actions that have been undertaken by the Department of Industry and Resources to ensure the recommendations have been complied with? Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: (1)-(2) I think the question goes to the speculation that seems to be rampant in Perth at the moment. It appears that everyone has now become a petroleum engineer, giving everybody advice—giving the government advice, giving NOPSA advice and obviously giving Apache Energy advice about its facilities. We have had very strong advice, member for Darling Range, from NOPSA and from the department itself that the release at this time of any of the documents that refer to Apache—that includes the March document to which I referred yesterday and the two other documents to which I referred that go back to August, and there are three other documents that go back to when NOPSA took over in 2005—will have a detrimental effect on the investigation of the Varanus Island incident. We do not want to undermine this investigation. This investigation is critical, not only to the state, but also to Apache itself and Apache’s customers. Mr T. Buswell : How? Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am sure that the Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Party do not want to undermine this investigation. The way they are going about it will undermine this investigation. That is what will occur. If this investigation is undermined by the work of the opposition, it will be in serious trouble. Mr T. Buswell : Why won’t you release the documents? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Because we have been given that advice. Mr J.H.D. Day : By whom? Mr F.M. LOGAN : We have been advised by NOPSA and by the department that the release of any of these documents that ultimately, as a whole, may go to the conclusion of taking evidence in the investigation of this explosion could be detrimental to that investigation. If that investigation is undermined, it will be appalling, not only for this state, but also for Apache itself. We will not do that. We have been given very strong advice not to do it, and I am passing that advice on to the member for Darling Range.
(2) Can the minister further outline the specific follow-up actions that have been undertaken by the Department of Industry and Resources to ensure the recommendations have been complied with? Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: (1)-(2) I think the question goes to the speculation that seems to be rampant in Perth at the moment. It appears that everyone has now become a petroleum engineer, giving everybody advice—giving the government advice, giving NOPSA advice and obviously giving Apache Energy advice about its facilities. We have had very strong advice, member for Darling Range, from NOPSA and from the department itself that the release at this time of any of the documents that refer to Apache—that includes the March document to which I referred yesterday and the two other documents to which I referred that go back to August, and there are three other documents that go back to when NOPSA took over in 2005—will have a detrimental effect on the investigation of the Varanus Island incident. We do not want to undermine this investigation. This investigation is critical, not only to the state, but also to Apache itself and Apache’s customers. Mr T. Buswell : How? Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am sure that the Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Party do not want to undermine this investigation. The way they are going about it will undermine this investigation. That is what will occur. If this investigation is undermined by the work of the opposition, it will be in serious trouble. Mr T. Buswell : Why won’t you release the documents? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Because we have been given that advice. Mr J.H.D. Day : By whom? Mr F.M. LOGAN : We have been advised by NOPSA and by the department that the release of any of these documents that ultimately, as a whole, may go to the conclusion of taking evidence in the investigation of this explosion could be detrimental to that investigation. If that investigation is undermined, it will be appalling, not only for this state, but also for Apache itself. We will not do that. We have been given very strong advice not to do it, and I am passing that advice on to the member for Darling Range.
Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: (1)-(2) I think the question goes to the speculation that seems to be rampant in Perth at the moment. It appears that everyone has now become a petroleum engineer, giving everybody advice—giving the government advice, giving NOPSA advice and obviously giving Apache Energy advice about its facilities. We have had very strong advice, member for Darling Range, from NOPSA and from the department itself that the release at this time of any of the documents that refer to Apache—that includes the March document to which I referred yesterday and the two other documents to which I referred that go back to August, and there are three other documents that go back to when NOPSA took over in 2005—will have a detrimental effect on the investigation of the Varanus Island incident. We do not want to undermine this investigation. This investigation is critical, not only to the state, but also to Apache itself and Apache’s customers. Mr T. Buswell : How? Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am sure that the Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Party do not want to undermine this investigation. The way they are going about it will undermine this investigation. That is what will occur. If this investigation is undermined by the work of the opposition, it will be in serious trouble. Mr T. Buswell : Why won’t you release the documents? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Because we have been given that advice. Mr J.H.D. Day : By whom? Mr F.M. LOGAN : We have been advised by NOPSA and by the department that the release of any of these documents that ultimately, as a whole, may go to the conclusion of taking evidence in the investigation of this explosion could be detrimental to that investigation. If that investigation is undermined, it will be appalling, not only for this state, but also for Apache itself. We will not do that. We have been given very strong advice not to do it, and I am passing that advice on to the member for Darling Range.
(1)-(2) I think the question goes to the speculation that seems to be rampant in Perth at the moment. It appears that everyone has now become a petroleum engineer, giving everybody advice—giving the government advice, giving NOPSA advice and obviously giving Apache Energy advice about its facilities. We have had very strong advice, member for Darling Range, from NOPSA and from the department itself that the release at this time of any of the documents that refer to Apache—that includes the March document to which I referred yesterday and the two other documents to which I referred that go back to August, and there are three other documents that go back to when NOPSA took over in 2005—will have a detrimental effect on the investigation of the Varanus Island incident. We do not want to undermine this investigation. This investigation is critical, not only to the state, but also to Apache itself and Apache’s customers. Mr T. Buswell : How? Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am sure that the Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Party do not want to undermine this investigation. The way they are going about it will undermine this investigation. That is what will occur. If this investigation is undermined by the work of the opposition, it will be in serious trouble. Mr T. Buswell : Why won’t you release the documents? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Because we have been given that advice. Mr J.H.D. Day : By whom? Mr F.M. LOGAN : We have been advised by NOPSA and by the department that the release of any of these documents that ultimately, as a whole, may go to the conclusion of taking evidence in the investigation of this explosion could be detrimental to that investigation. If that investigation is undermined, it will be appalling, not only for this state, but also for Apache itself. We will not do that. We have been given very strong advice not to do it, and I am passing that advice on to the member for Darling Range.
Mr T. Buswell : How? Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am sure that the Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Party do not want to undermine this investigation. The way they are going about it will undermine this investigation. That is what will occur. If this investigation is undermined by the work of the opposition, it will be in serious trouble. Mr T. Buswell : Why won’t you release the documents? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Because we have been given that advice. Mr J.H.D. Day : By whom? Mr F.M. LOGAN : We have been advised by NOPSA and by the department that the release of any of these documents that ultimately, as a whole, may go to the conclusion of taking evidence in the investigation of this explosion could be detrimental to that investigation. If that investigation is undermined, it will be appalling, not only for this state, but also for Apache itself. We will not do that. We have been given very strong advice not to do it, and I am passing that advice on to the member for Darling Range.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : I am sure that the Leader of the Opposition and the Liberal Party do not want to undermine this investigation. The way they are going about it will undermine this investigation. That is what will occur. If this investigation is undermined by the work of the opposition, it will be in serious trouble. Mr T. Buswell : Why won’t you release the documents? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Because we have been given that advice. Mr J.H.D. Day : By whom? Mr F.M. LOGAN : We have been advised by NOPSA and by the department that the release of any of these documents that ultimately, as a whole, may go to the conclusion of taking evidence in the investigation of this explosion could be detrimental to that investigation. If that investigation is undermined, it will be appalling, not only for this state, but also for Apache itself. We will not do that. We have been given very strong advice not to do it, and I am passing that advice on to the member for Darling Range.
Mr T. Buswell : Why won’t you release the documents? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Because we have been given that advice. Mr J.H.D. Day : By whom? Mr F.M. LOGAN : We have been advised by NOPSA and by the department that the release of any of these documents that ultimately, as a whole, may go to the conclusion of taking evidence in the investigation of this explosion could be detrimental to that investigation. If that investigation is undermined, it will be appalling, not only for this state, but also for Apache itself. We will not do that. We have been given very strong advice not to do it, and I am passing that advice on to the member for Darling Range.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : Because we have been given that advice. Mr J.H.D. Day : By whom? Mr F.M. LOGAN : We have been advised by NOPSA and by the department that the release of any of these documents that ultimately, as a whole, may go to the conclusion of taking evidence in the investigation of this explosion could be detrimental to that investigation. If that investigation is undermined, it will be appalling, not only for this state, but also for Apache itself. We will not do that. We have been given very strong advice not to do it, and I am passing that advice on to the member for Darling Range.
Mr J.H.D. Day : By whom? Mr F.M. LOGAN : We have been advised by NOPSA and by the department that the release of any of these documents that ultimately, as a whole, may go to the conclusion of taking evidence in the investigation of this explosion could be detrimental to that investigation. If that investigation is undermined, it will be appalling, not only for this state, but also for Apache itself. We will not do that. We have been given very strong advice not to do it, and I am passing that advice on to the member for Darling Range.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : We have been advised by NOPSA and by the department that the release of any of these documents that ultimately, as a whole, may go to the conclusion of taking evidence in the investigation of this explosion could be detrimental to that investigation. If that investigation is undermined, it will be appalling, not only for this state, but also for Apache itself. We will not do that. We have been given very strong advice not to do it, and I am passing that advice on to the member for Darling Range.
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