❓ The Minister for Environment addresses concerns about heavy industries potentially circumventing pollution obligations under the Environmental Protection Act due to pre-1972 state agreement Acts, announcing amendments to close this loophole and ensure compliance.
AnsweredQoN 918Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I recall some time ago reading articles in the media about heavy industries slipping under the net of pollution obligations. Can the minister advise what is being done about this? Dr J.M. EDWARDS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question. He is right to point out that some time ago The West Australian published a number of articles suggesting that some big companies were able to slip under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act because of the old state agreement Acts under which they operated. When that was drawn to my attention I sought advice from the Crown Solicitor and looked at some options to plug what is a potential loophole. I am delighted to inform the House that as a result of work by the Department of Industry and Resources and the Department of Environmental Protection, those companies have now agreed to formally abide by the Environmental Protection Act. We are in the process of amending their pre-1972 state agreement Acts and the Environmental Protection Act. That is a twin measure to ensure we have full protection. I congratulate Alcoa World Alumina Australia, BHP Billiton Ltd and Rio Tinto Ltd, the companies affected by this. They had previously agreed to abide by the spirit of the Environmental Protection Act, but I am very pleased that they have agreed to the amendment of their state agreement Acts to formally bring them within the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Act. It is important that this Act have the primacy which it is due and which was intended when it was first introduced. We will continue to work very hard to protect our unique environment and make sure that we are not subjected to any unwarranted pollution.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. He is right to point out that some time ago The West Australian published a number of articles suggesting that some big companies were able to slip under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act because of the old state agreement Acts under which they operated. When that was drawn to my attention I sought advice from the Crown Solicitor and looked at some options to plug what is a potential loophole. I am delighted to inform the House that as a result of work by the Department of Industry and Resources and the Department of Environmental Protection, those companies have now agreed to formally abide by the Environmental Protection Act. We are in the process of amending their pre-1972 state agreement Acts and the Environmental Protection Act. That is a twin measure to ensure we have full protection. I congratulate Alcoa World Alumina Australia, BHP Billiton Ltd and Rio Tinto Ltd, the companies affected by this. They had previously agreed to abide by the spirit of the Environmental Protection Act, but I am very pleased that they have agreed to the amendment of their state agreement Acts to formally bring them within the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Act. It is important that this Act have the primacy which it is due and which was intended when it was first introduced. We will continue to work very hard to protect our unique environment and make sure that we are not subjected to any unwarranted pollution.
I thank the member for the question. He is right to point out that some time ago The West Australian published a number of articles suggesting that some big companies were able to slip under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act because of the old state agreement Acts under which they operated. When that was drawn to my attention I sought advice from the Crown Solicitor and looked at some options to plug what is a potential loophole. I am delighted to inform the House that as a result of work by the Department of Industry and Resources and the Department of Environmental Protection, those companies have now agreed to formally abide by the Environmental Protection Act. We are in the process of amending their pre-1972 state agreement Acts and the Environmental Protection Act. That is a twin measure to ensure we have full protection. I congratulate Alcoa World Alumina Australia, BHP Billiton Ltd and Rio Tinto Ltd, the companies affected by this. They had previously agreed to abide by the spirit of the Environmental Protection Act, but I am very pleased that they have agreed to the amendment of their state agreement Acts to formally bring them within the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Act. It is important that this Act have the primacy which it is due and which was intended when it was first introduced. We will continue to work very hard to protect our unique environment and make sure that we are not subjected to any unwarranted pollution.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: I thank the member for the question. He is right to point out that some time ago The West Australian published a number of articles suggesting that some big companies were able to slip under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act because of the old state agreement Acts under which they operated. When that was drawn to my attention I sought advice from the Crown Solicitor and looked at some options to plug what is a potential loophole. I am delighted to inform the House that as a result of work by the Department of Industry and Resources and the Department of Environmental Protection, those companies have now agreed to formally abide by the Environmental Protection Act. We are in the process of amending their pre-1972 state agreement Acts and the Environmental Protection Act. That is a twin measure to ensure we have full protection. I congratulate Alcoa World Alumina Australia, BHP Billiton Ltd and Rio Tinto Ltd, the companies affected by this. They had previously agreed to abide by the spirit of the Environmental Protection Act, but I am very pleased that they have agreed to the amendment of their state agreement Acts to formally bring them within the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Act. It is important that this Act have the primacy which it is due and which was intended when it was first introduced. We will continue to work very hard to protect our unique environment and make sure that we are not subjected to any unwarranted pollution.
I thank the member for the question. He is right to point out that some time ago The West Australian published a number of articles suggesting that some big companies were able to slip under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act because of the old state agreement Acts under which they operated. When that was drawn to my attention I sought advice from the Crown Solicitor and looked at some options to plug what is a potential loophole. I am delighted to inform the House that as a result of work by the Department of Industry and Resources and the Department of Environmental Protection, those companies have now agreed to formally abide by the Environmental Protection Act. We are in the process of amending their pre-1972 state agreement Acts and the Environmental Protection Act. That is a twin measure to ensure we have full protection. I congratulate Alcoa World Alumina Australia, BHP Billiton Ltd and Rio Tinto Ltd, the companies affected by this. They had previously agreed to abide by the spirit of the Environmental Protection Act, but I am very pleased that they have agreed to the amendment of their state agreement Acts to formally bring them within the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Act. It is important that this Act have the primacy which it is due and which was intended when it was first introduced. We will continue to work very hard to protect our unique environment and make sure that we are not subjected to any unwarranted pollution.
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