❓ Mr. Grylls questions the Premier on adopting a biofuels mandate similar to Queensland's to address regional fuel prices. The Premier responds that WA will not mandate biofuels but is considering the issue via a task force, and highlights WA's gas reserves and energy security efforts.
AnsweredQoN 488Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
REGIONAL FUEL PRICES - BIOFUELS
I refer to the announcement by the Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie, that the use of ethanol in petrol will be mandatory by 2010. (1) Will the Premier follow Mr Beattie’s lead and support a legislated mandate for biofuels in Western Australia? (2) Does he concede that liquefied petroleum gas is not readily available in many parts of regional WA where the fuel of choice is diesel, and that a biofuels mandate will be the only way of putting downward pressure on regional fuel prices? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
I refer to the announcement by the Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie, that the use of ethanol in petrol will be mandatory by 2010. (1) Will the Premier follow Mr Beattie’s lead and support a legislated mandate for biofuels in Western Australia? (2) Does he concede that liquefied petroleum gas is not readily available in many parts of regional WA where the fuel of choice is diesel, and that a biofuels mandate will be the only way of putting downward pressure on regional fuel prices? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question. I appreciate his interest in this, and I am sure he shares the interest with many of his constituents. (1) We do not intend to mandate anything. However, I note with some interest what has occurred in Queensland, which I think was announced today. Mr B.J. Grylls : Both parties have a mandate and Queensland will have a mandate after this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Both parties? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Western Australia has a process under way with a biofuels task force, which will consider issues such as ethanol and ethanol production. Mr B.J. Grylls : Why did you say there won’t be a mandate if you are going to refer it to a task force? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
(1) Will the Premier follow Mr Beattie’s lead and support a legislated mandate for biofuels in Western Australia? (2) Does he concede that liquefied petroleum gas is not readily available in many parts of regional WA where the fuel of choice is diesel, and that a biofuels mandate will be the only way of putting downward pressure on regional fuel prices? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question. I appreciate his interest in this, and I am sure he shares the interest with many of his constituents. (1) We do not intend to mandate anything. However, I note with some interest what has occurred in Queensland, which I think was announced today. Mr B.J. Grylls : Both parties have a mandate and Queensland will have a mandate after this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Both parties? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Western Australia has a process under way with a biofuels task force, which will consider issues such as ethanol and ethanol production. Mr B.J. Grylls : Why did you say there won’t be a mandate if you are going to refer it to a task force? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
(2) Does he concede that liquefied petroleum gas is not readily available in many parts of regional WA where the fuel of choice is diesel, and that a biofuels mandate will be the only way of putting downward pressure on regional fuel prices? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question. I appreciate his interest in this, and I am sure he shares the interest with many of his constituents. (1) We do not intend to mandate anything. However, I note with some interest what has occurred in Queensland, which I think was announced today. Mr B.J. Grylls : Both parties have a mandate and Queensland will have a mandate after this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Both parties? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Western Australia has a process under way with a biofuels task force, which will consider issues such as ethanol and ethanol production. Mr B.J. Grylls : Why did you say there won’t be a mandate if you are going to refer it to a task force? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question. I appreciate his interest in this, and I am sure he shares the interest with many of his constituents. (1) We do not intend to mandate anything. However, I note with some interest what has occurred in Queensland, which I think was announced today. Mr B.J. Grylls : Both parties have a mandate and Queensland will have a mandate after this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Both parties? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Western Australia has a process under way with a biofuels task force, which will consider issues such as ethanol and ethanol production. Mr B.J. Grylls : Why did you say there won’t be a mandate if you are going to refer it to a task force? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question. I appreciate his interest in this, and I am sure he shares the interest with many of his constituents. (1) We do not intend to mandate anything. However, I note with some interest what has occurred in Queensland, which I think was announced today. Mr B.J. Grylls : Both parties have a mandate and Queensland will have a mandate after this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Both parties? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Western Australia has a process under way with a biofuels task force, which will consider issues such as ethanol and ethanol production. Mr B.J. Grylls : Why did you say there won’t be a mandate if you are going to refer it to a task force? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
(1) We do not intend to mandate anything. However, I note with some interest what has occurred in Queensland, which I think was announced today. Mr B.J. Grylls : Both parties have a mandate and Queensland will have a mandate after this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Both parties? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Western Australia has a process under way with a biofuels task force, which will consider issues such as ethanol and ethanol production. Mr B.J. Grylls : Why did you say there won’t be a mandate if you are going to refer it to a task force? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
Mr B.J. Grylls : Both parties have a mandate and Queensland will have a mandate after this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Both parties? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Western Australia has a process under way with a biofuels task force, which will consider issues such as ethanol and ethanol production. Mr B.J. Grylls : Why did you say there won’t be a mandate if you are going to refer it to a task force? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Both parties? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Western Australia has a process under way with a biofuels task force, which will consider issues such as ethanol and ethanol production. Mr B.J. Grylls : Why did you say there won’t be a mandate if you are going to refer it to a task force? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Western Australia has a process under way with a biofuels task force, which will consider issues such as ethanol and ethanol production. Mr B.J. Grylls : Why did you say there won’t be a mandate if you are going to refer it to a task force? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Western Australia has a process under way with a biofuels task force, which will consider issues such as ethanol and ethanol production. Mr B.J. Grylls : Why did you say there won’t be a mandate if you are going to refer it to a task force? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
Mr B.J. Grylls : Why did you say there won’t be a mandate if you are going to refer it to a task force? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
(2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
(1) Will the Premier follow Mr Beattie’s lead and support a legislated mandate for biofuels in Western Australia? (2) Does he concede that liquefied petroleum gas is not readily available in many parts of regional WA where the fuel of choice is diesel, and that a biofuels mandate will be the only way of putting downward pressure on regional fuel prices? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question. I appreciate his interest in this, and I am sure he shares the interest with many of his constituents. (1) We do not intend to mandate anything. However, I note with some interest what has occurred in Queensland, which I think was announced today. Mr B.J. Grylls : Both parties have a mandate and Queensland will have a mandate after this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Both parties? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Western Australia has a process under way with a biofuels task force, which will consider issues such as ethanol and ethanol production. Mr B.J. Grylls : Why did you say there won’t be a mandate if you are going to refer it to a task force? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
(2) Does he concede that liquefied petroleum gas is not readily available in many parts of regional WA where the fuel of choice is diesel, and that a biofuels mandate will be the only way of putting downward pressure on regional fuel prices? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question. I appreciate his interest in this, and I am sure he shares the interest with many of his constituents. (1) We do not intend to mandate anything. However, I note with some interest what has occurred in Queensland, which I think was announced today. Mr B.J. Grylls : Both parties have a mandate and Queensland will have a mandate after this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Both parties? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Western Australia has a process under way with a biofuels task force, which will consider issues such as ethanol and ethanol production. Mr B.J. Grylls : Why did you say there won’t be a mandate if you are going to refer it to a task force? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question. I appreciate his interest in this, and I am sure he shares the interest with many of his constituents. (1) We do not intend to mandate anything. However, I note with some interest what has occurred in Queensland, which I think was announced today. Mr B.J. Grylls : Both parties have a mandate and Queensland will have a mandate after this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Both parties? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Western Australia has a process under way with a biofuels task force, which will consider issues such as ethanol and ethanol production. Mr B.J. Grylls : Why did you say there won’t be a mandate if you are going to refer it to a task force? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
I thank the Leader of the National Party for his question. I appreciate his interest in this, and I am sure he shares the interest with many of his constituents. (1) We do not intend to mandate anything. However, I note with some interest what has occurred in Queensland, which I think was announced today. Mr B.J. Grylls : Both parties have a mandate and Queensland will have a mandate after this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Both parties? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Western Australia has a process under way with a biofuels task force, which will consider issues such as ethanol and ethanol production. Mr B.J. Grylls : Why did you say there won’t be a mandate if you are going to refer it to a task force? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
(1) We do not intend to mandate anything. However, I note with some interest what has occurred in Queensland, which I think was announced today. Mr B.J. Grylls : Both parties have a mandate and Queensland will have a mandate after this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Both parties? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Western Australia has a process under way with a biofuels task force, which will consider issues such as ethanol and ethanol production. Mr B.J. Grylls : Why did you say there won’t be a mandate if you are going to refer it to a task force? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
Mr B.J. Grylls : Both parties have a mandate and Queensland will have a mandate after this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Both parties? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Western Australia has a process under way with a biofuels task force, which will consider issues such as ethanol and ethanol production. Mr B.J. Grylls : Why did you say there won’t be a mandate if you are going to refer it to a task force? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Both parties? Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Western Australia has a process under way with a biofuels task force, which will consider issues such as ethanol and ethanol production. Mr B.J. Grylls : Why did you say there won’t be a mandate if you are going to refer it to a task force? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Western Australia has a process under way with a biofuels task force, which will consider issues such as ethanol and ethanol production. Mr B.J. Grylls : Why did you say there won’t be a mandate if you are going to refer it to a task force? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Western Australia has a process under way with a biofuels task force, which will consider issues such as ethanol and ethanol production. Mr B.J. Grylls : Why did you say there won’t be a mandate if you are going to refer it to a task force? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
Mr B.J. Grylls : Why did you say there won’t be a mandate if you are going to refer it to a task force? Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The outcome of every task force is not some sort of mandated requirement; it is advice to government. That is the answer to that question. (2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
(2) I appreciate that LPG is not available at every outlet across Western Australia; therefore, that is an issue. However, I anticipate that the demand for LPG will increase. Market forces may then take effect and there may be a greater provision of it in places where hitherto there has not been a great demand. I hope that because there will be increased demand there might be increased provision in more places across Australia. I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
I will round off this part of the answer to the question. Western Australia has abundant gas reserves, the vast majority of which are in commonwealth waters and being brought ashore now with the prospect of being processed for liquefied natural gas. I think that will always be the case. We are strong supporters of our LNG export industry. I have been to the United States three times, China twice and Japan and Korea, and every time there I have been involved in discussions promoting the LNG industry from Western Australia and exports to those destinations, encouraging investment here and so on. However, we would be foolish not to make the most of the comparative advantage that we have in fuels. It seems to me that only the Australian government believes anything other than that. When I talk to people in other countries about the Western Australian energy requirement, they do not think it is unusual that the state government wants to secure its energy supplies for the future. In fact, they think that the prospect that we would not do that is ridiculous. South Korea, China and Japan regard the provision of long-term energy supplies as a matter of life and death. It is not just another trade for them. For those countries, securing long-term energy supplies is a matter of life and death. It should be the same for us. We have a brilliant coal industry in Western Australia. I can say that directly to the member from that area. We have a great coal industry. It is interesting to note that, despite some of the debate that has gone on and despite our decision last year to fire our last base-load power station with gas, the coal industry in Western Australia is actually enjoying a renaissance. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : What is more, Mr Speaker, I am sure that if the member for Collie-Wellington had the opportunity, he would get to his feet and support me in what I am saying. I look forward to going to Collie in the next couple of weeks and enjoying the celebratory mood that there is in Collie about our domestic gas reservation policy. I am sure that it may even rival the warm reception that the former Premier and I received on our last visit to Collie, with 500 coalminers in the local hall expressing their support - but not for us on that occasion! We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
We have the opportunity of revolutionising the way in which we fuel our vehicles in this state. We must not waste the God-given abundance - if I can say it in that way - of our natural gas. It would be madness not to. I read all the commentaries from people all over Australia saying that this is not the right thing to do. They are wrong. The principal position - there will be argument about the detail - which has been the position of state governments since the 1970s, is right.
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