The WA parliamentary question seeks information on the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's spending on fossil fuels. The answer reveals no direct spending on research or exploration, but identifies indirect subsidies through fuel card programs.

AnsweredQoN 1773Legislative Council
Asked
20 November 2018
Portfolio
Regional Development

QuestionView source ↗

(1) What is the department's total amount of spend on fossil fuels research? (2) What is the department's total amount of spend on fossil fuels exploration? (3) What is the department's total amount of spend on fossil fuels subsidies?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
12 February 2019
Responded by
Minister for Regional Development
Response time
9 days
(1)  Nil.
(2)  Nil. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) administers the Royalties for Regions Fund, which provides funds to the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety to deliver the Exploration Incentives Scheme. No spending on fossil fuel exploration is expected in 2018-19.
(3)  Nil direct spend. DPIRD funds a number of programs through other Government agencies that may be considered fossil fuel subsidies. For 2018-19, these include:
-   $34.1 million to the Department of Transport for administration of the Country Age Pension Fuel Card which provides a subsidy to eligible seniors for fuel and/or Taxi usage.
-   $1 million to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services for administration of the Volunteer Fuel Card Scheme to support its volunteer network with fuel costs associated with their related travel.

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