❓ MacTiernan questions the Premier on the status of a planned nickel export ban from Esperance Port due to safety concerns. The Premier opposes the ban, prioritising the nickel industry's economic importance while aiming for safety improvements.
AnsweredQoN 56Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PORT OF ESPERANCE — BAN ON NICKEL EXPORTS
After an exhaustive study of the upgrade options, the board of the Esperance Port Authority found that no engineering solution could guarantee making the bulk handling of nickel safe, and the port authority board released a media statement advising of a ban on the bulk export of nickel concentrate to take effect from 1 January 2009. (1) What is the current state of the ban that is due to take effect from 1 January 2009? (2) Does the Premier support the introduction of the ban; and, if not, what strategy is the Premier taking to deal with this matter? Mr C.J. BARNETT
After an exhaustive study of the upgrade options, the board of the Esperance Port Authority found that no engineering solution could guarantee making the bulk handling of nickel safe, and the port authority board released a media statement advising of a ban on the bulk export of nickel concentrate to take effect from 1 January 2009. (1) What is the current state of the ban that is due to take effect from 1 January 2009? (2) Does the Premier support the introduction of the ban; and, if not, what strategy is the Premier taking to deal with this matter? Mr C.J. BARNETT
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Armadale for the question. (1)-(2) As I said yesterday, the Esperance pollution issue is extremely serious. It is an issue on which the government is spending a great deal of time to resolve across the various portfolios of health, environment and transport, and through my own office and department. There are a number of issues and the first of those, as I said yesterday, is to remove the lead. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : This is a question about nickel. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I know, but 9 000 tonnes of lead need to be removed. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but is there a plan for nickel? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. We must then address the clean-up and, yes, we need to address the issue of nickel, which has been exported as a bulk product for a long time. I remind members that Western Australia produces something like 13 per cent of the world’s nickel. There are literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields and the north eastern goldfields related to the production of nickel, the majority of which is exported through the port of Esperance. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is important to know whether there is a ban on it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
(1) What is the current state of the ban that is due to take effect from 1 January 2009? (2) Does the Premier support the introduction of the ban; and, if not, what strategy is the Premier taking to deal with this matter? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the member for Armadale for the question. (1)-(2) As I said yesterday, the Esperance pollution issue is extremely serious. It is an issue on which the government is spending a great deal of time to resolve across the various portfolios of health, environment and transport, and through my own office and department. There are a number of issues and the first of those, as I said yesterday, is to remove the lead. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : This is a question about nickel. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I know, but 9 000 tonnes of lead need to be removed. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but is there a plan for nickel? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. We must then address the clean-up and, yes, we need to address the issue of nickel, which has been exported as a bulk product for a long time. I remind members that Western Australia produces something like 13 per cent of the world’s nickel. There are literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields and the north eastern goldfields related to the production of nickel, the majority of which is exported through the port of Esperance. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is important to know whether there is a ban on it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
(2) Does the Premier support the introduction of the ban; and, if not, what strategy is the Premier taking to deal with this matter? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the member for Armadale for the question. (1)-(2) As I said yesterday, the Esperance pollution issue is extremely serious. It is an issue on which the government is spending a great deal of time to resolve across the various portfolios of health, environment and transport, and through my own office and department. There are a number of issues and the first of those, as I said yesterday, is to remove the lead. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : This is a question about nickel. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I know, but 9 000 tonnes of lead need to be removed. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but is there a plan for nickel? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. We must then address the clean-up and, yes, we need to address the issue of nickel, which has been exported as a bulk product for a long time. I remind members that Western Australia produces something like 13 per cent of the world’s nickel. There are literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields and the north eastern goldfields related to the production of nickel, the majority of which is exported through the port of Esperance. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is important to know whether there is a ban on it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the member for Armadale for the question. (1)-(2) As I said yesterday, the Esperance pollution issue is extremely serious. It is an issue on which the government is spending a great deal of time to resolve across the various portfolios of health, environment and transport, and through my own office and department. There are a number of issues and the first of those, as I said yesterday, is to remove the lead. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : This is a question about nickel. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I know, but 9 000 tonnes of lead need to be removed. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but is there a plan for nickel? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. We must then address the clean-up and, yes, we need to address the issue of nickel, which has been exported as a bulk product for a long time. I remind members that Western Australia produces something like 13 per cent of the world’s nickel. There are literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields and the north eastern goldfields related to the production of nickel, the majority of which is exported through the port of Esperance. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is important to know whether there is a ban on it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
I thank the member for Armadale for the question. (1)-(2) As I said yesterday, the Esperance pollution issue is extremely serious. It is an issue on which the government is spending a great deal of time to resolve across the various portfolios of health, environment and transport, and through my own office and department. There are a number of issues and the first of those, as I said yesterday, is to remove the lead. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : This is a question about nickel. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I know, but 9 000 tonnes of lead need to be removed. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but is there a plan for nickel? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. We must then address the clean-up and, yes, we need to address the issue of nickel, which has been exported as a bulk product for a long time. I remind members that Western Australia produces something like 13 per cent of the world’s nickel. There are literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields and the north eastern goldfields related to the production of nickel, the majority of which is exported through the port of Esperance. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is important to know whether there is a ban on it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
(1)-(2) As I said yesterday, the Esperance pollution issue is extremely serious. It is an issue on which the government is spending a great deal of time to resolve across the various portfolios of health, environment and transport, and through my own office and department. There are a number of issues and the first of those, as I said yesterday, is to remove the lead. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : This is a question about nickel. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I know, but 9 000 tonnes of lead need to be removed. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but is there a plan for nickel? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. We must then address the clean-up and, yes, we need to address the issue of nickel, which has been exported as a bulk product for a long time. I remind members that Western Australia produces something like 13 per cent of the world’s nickel. There are literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields and the north eastern goldfields related to the production of nickel, the majority of which is exported through the port of Esperance. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is important to know whether there is a ban on it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : This is a question about nickel. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I know, but 9 000 tonnes of lead need to be removed. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but is there a plan for nickel? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. We must then address the clean-up and, yes, we need to address the issue of nickel, which has been exported as a bulk product for a long time. I remind members that Western Australia produces something like 13 per cent of the world’s nickel. There are literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields and the north eastern goldfields related to the production of nickel, the majority of which is exported through the port of Esperance. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is important to know whether there is a ban on it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I know, but 9 000 tonnes of lead need to be removed. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but is there a plan for nickel? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. We must then address the clean-up and, yes, we need to address the issue of nickel, which has been exported as a bulk product for a long time. I remind members that Western Australia produces something like 13 per cent of the world’s nickel. There are literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields and the north eastern goldfields related to the production of nickel, the majority of which is exported through the port of Esperance. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is important to know whether there is a ban on it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but is there a plan for nickel? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. We must then address the clean-up and, yes, we need to address the issue of nickel, which has been exported as a bulk product for a long time. I remind members that Western Australia produces something like 13 per cent of the world’s nickel. There are literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields and the north eastern goldfields related to the production of nickel, the majority of which is exported through the port of Esperance. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is important to know whether there is a ban on it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. We must then address the clean-up and, yes, we need to address the issue of nickel, which has been exported as a bulk product for a long time. I remind members that Western Australia produces something like 13 per cent of the world’s nickel. There are literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields and the north eastern goldfields related to the production of nickel, the majority of which is exported through the port of Esperance. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is important to know whether there is a ban on it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is important to know whether there is a ban on it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
(1) What is the current state of the ban that is due to take effect from 1 January 2009? (2) Does the Premier support the introduction of the ban; and, if not, what strategy is the Premier taking to deal with this matter? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the member for Armadale for the question. (1)-(2) As I said yesterday, the Esperance pollution issue is extremely serious. It is an issue on which the government is spending a great deal of time to resolve across the various portfolios of health, environment and transport, and through my own office and department. There are a number of issues and the first of those, as I said yesterday, is to remove the lead. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : This is a question about nickel. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I know, but 9 000 tonnes of lead need to be removed. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but is there a plan for nickel? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. We must then address the clean-up and, yes, we need to address the issue of nickel, which has been exported as a bulk product for a long time. I remind members that Western Australia produces something like 13 per cent of the world’s nickel. There are literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields and the north eastern goldfields related to the production of nickel, the majority of which is exported through the port of Esperance. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is important to know whether there is a ban on it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
(2) Does the Premier support the introduction of the ban; and, if not, what strategy is the Premier taking to deal with this matter? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the member for Armadale for the question. (1)-(2) As I said yesterday, the Esperance pollution issue is extremely serious. It is an issue on which the government is spending a great deal of time to resolve across the various portfolios of health, environment and transport, and through my own office and department. There are a number of issues and the first of those, as I said yesterday, is to remove the lead. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : This is a question about nickel. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I know, but 9 000 tonnes of lead need to be removed. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but is there a plan for nickel? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. We must then address the clean-up and, yes, we need to address the issue of nickel, which has been exported as a bulk product for a long time. I remind members that Western Australia produces something like 13 per cent of the world’s nickel. There are literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields and the north eastern goldfields related to the production of nickel, the majority of which is exported through the port of Esperance. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is important to know whether there is a ban on it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: I thank the member for Armadale for the question. (1)-(2) As I said yesterday, the Esperance pollution issue is extremely serious. It is an issue on which the government is spending a great deal of time to resolve across the various portfolios of health, environment and transport, and through my own office and department. There are a number of issues and the first of those, as I said yesterday, is to remove the lead. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : This is a question about nickel. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I know, but 9 000 tonnes of lead need to be removed. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but is there a plan for nickel? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. We must then address the clean-up and, yes, we need to address the issue of nickel, which has been exported as a bulk product for a long time. I remind members that Western Australia produces something like 13 per cent of the world’s nickel. There are literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields and the north eastern goldfields related to the production of nickel, the majority of which is exported through the port of Esperance. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is important to know whether there is a ban on it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
I thank the member for Armadale for the question. (1)-(2) As I said yesterday, the Esperance pollution issue is extremely serious. It is an issue on which the government is spending a great deal of time to resolve across the various portfolios of health, environment and transport, and through my own office and department. There are a number of issues and the first of those, as I said yesterday, is to remove the lead. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : This is a question about nickel. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I know, but 9 000 tonnes of lead need to be removed. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but is there a plan for nickel? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. We must then address the clean-up and, yes, we need to address the issue of nickel, which has been exported as a bulk product for a long time. I remind members that Western Australia produces something like 13 per cent of the world’s nickel. There are literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields and the north eastern goldfields related to the production of nickel, the majority of which is exported through the port of Esperance. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is important to know whether there is a ban on it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
(1)-(2) As I said yesterday, the Esperance pollution issue is extremely serious. It is an issue on which the government is spending a great deal of time to resolve across the various portfolios of health, environment and transport, and through my own office and department. There are a number of issues and the first of those, as I said yesterday, is to remove the lead. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : This is a question about nickel. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I know, but 9 000 tonnes of lead need to be removed. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but is there a plan for nickel? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. We must then address the clean-up and, yes, we need to address the issue of nickel, which has been exported as a bulk product for a long time. I remind members that Western Australia produces something like 13 per cent of the world’s nickel. There are literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields and the north eastern goldfields related to the production of nickel, the majority of which is exported through the port of Esperance. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is important to know whether there is a ban on it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : This is a question about nickel. Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I know, but 9 000 tonnes of lead need to be removed. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but is there a plan for nickel? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. We must then address the clean-up and, yes, we need to address the issue of nickel, which has been exported as a bulk product for a long time. I remind members that Western Australia produces something like 13 per cent of the world’s nickel. There are literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields and the north eastern goldfields related to the production of nickel, the majority of which is exported through the port of Esperance. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is important to know whether there is a ban on it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes, I know, but 9 000 tonnes of lead need to be removed. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but is there a plan for nickel? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. We must then address the clean-up and, yes, we need to address the issue of nickel, which has been exported as a bulk product for a long time. I remind members that Western Australia produces something like 13 per cent of the world’s nickel. There are literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields and the north eastern goldfields related to the production of nickel, the majority of which is exported through the port of Esperance. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is important to know whether there is a ban on it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : Yes, but is there a plan for nickel? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. We must then address the clean-up and, yes, we need to address the issue of nickel, which has been exported as a bulk product for a long time. I remind members that Western Australia produces something like 13 per cent of the world’s nickel. There are literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields and the north eastern goldfields related to the production of nickel, the majority of which is exported through the port of Esperance. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is important to know whether there is a ban on it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. We must then address the clean-up and, yes, we need to address the issue of nickel, which has been exported as a bulk product for a long time. I remind members that Western Australia produces something like 13 per cent of the world’s nickel. There are literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields and the north eastern goldfields related to the production of nickel, the majority of which is exported through the port of Esperance. Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is important to know whether there is a ban on it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
Mr E.S. Ripper : That is why it is important to know whether there is a ban on it. Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : The Esperance Port Authority took the measure that it did to impose a ban, and did it without consultation with the government. I was disappointed at the decision taken in that way. I made it very clear after I became acting Minister for Transport, due to Hon Simon O’Brien’s health problems, that I thought that it was not appropriate, and I told the port of my view. Negotiations are going on between the nickel producers, Esperance Port Authority and the various agencies within government. Nickel is a carcinogen; that is probably acknowledged and accepted. However, its effect on health is largely unknown. Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
Ms A.J.G. MacTiernan : It is a carcinogen? Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
Mr C.J. BARNETT : Yes. Current negotiations are about an immediate set of engineering procedures, essentially covering and putting on flaps around the loading chute in the hull of the ship. That would be a temporary measure. In the longer term there must be a far more sophisticated engineering solution, which will cost many millions of dollars, which is being negotiated with the companies. The companies will ultimately meet the cost of doing that and the port will need to put that in place. However, it is my strong desire that we not close down the nickel industry in Western Australia. It has been suggested that there are between 10 000 and 12 000 jobs in the nickel industry. We do not in any way underestimate the health issues. We are dealing with the lead issue, which is clearly a health issue. There is some doubt about how much danger and risk there is associated with nickel. However, I can understand the apprehension in the Esperance community and that the community feels in some sense that the town has been blighted. That is why we are addressing the issue. However, I am not about to stand by and see the nickel industry of Western Australia shut down with the loss of literally thousands of jobs in the goldfields region of Western Australia, and I hope the member for Armadale would not support that. It is a difficult issue but we are dealing with it, and we intend to do everything that is possible to ensure that nickel production and export can continue and that some temporary and then permanent improvements are made to the port.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.