❓ Question regarding the impact of Indonesian nickel refining and the Albanese government's safeguard mechanism on WA's resources sector, followed by a response highlighting ESG advocacy and support for WA unions.
AnsweredQoN 815Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT
815. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Environment:
I note the significant job losses
arising across the state's resources sector and, more specifically,
refer to the serious concerns held about the future of the Kalgoorlie nickel
refinery owned by BHP.
(1) Is the
minister aware that recent nickel refining expansion in Indonesia has
considerably higher carbon emissions than the Kalgoorlie facility, and only a yes
or no answer is required?
(2) Is the minister aware of the lack of detail around
the Albanese government's carve-out arrangements under the
safeguard mechanism, which is creating massive uncertainty for WA's
downstream energy intensive industries, and, again, only a yes or no answer is required?
(3) Will the
minister stop caving in to the extreme left-wing ideologies of the Albanese
government, many of which are supported by unions, that are sending good jobs
offshore and resulting in much higher overall carbon emissions?
815. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Environment:
I note the significant job losses
arising across the state's resources sector and, more specifically,
refer to the serious concerns held about the future of the Kalgoorlie nickel
refinery owned by BHP.
(1) Is the
minister aware that recent nickel refining expansion in Indonesia has
considerably higher carbon emissions than the Kalgoorlie facility, and only a yes
or no answer is required?
(2) Is the minister aware of the lack of detail around
the Albanese government's carve-out arrangements under the
safeguard mechanism, which is creating massive uncertainty for WA's
downstream energy intensive industries, and, again, only a yes or no answer is required?
(3) Will the
minister stop caving in to the extreme left-wing ideologies of the Albanese
government, many of which are supported by unions, that are sending good jobs
offshore and resulting in much higher overall carbon emissions?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the
Minister for Environment, I provide the following answer.
(1) It is widely
acknowledged that Indonesia has significant challenges with environmental,
social and governance performance associated with critical minerals production.
The state and commonwealth governments are advocating globally for ESG
standards across nickel and lithium production so these commodities are more
highly regarded internationally.
(2) I am aware
that some elements of the commonwealth's reforms to the safeguard
mechanism are still being finalised. The WA government continues to advocate to
the commonwealth government for the state's strategic priorities to
position our energy intensive and critical mineral industries to remain
competitive in the face of global trends and national policy settings. The
government is engaging on an ongoing basis with industry stakeholders and the
commonwealth to ensure that WA industries and the economy prospers in a net
zero future.
(3) The Cook
Labor government is proud of the WA union movement and its advocacy in standing
up for local workers. This is critical at a time
when the state and federal Liberal and National Parties are recklessly pursuing a politically motivated ideology for nuclear energy in Collie that
will threaten the livelihood of regional communities without any consultation.
some notice of the question. On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the
Minister for Environment, I provide the following answer.
(1) It is widely
acknowledged that Indonesia has significant challenges with environmental,
social and governance performance associated with critical minerals production.
The state and commonwealth governments are advocating globally for ESG
standards across nickel and lithium production so these commodities are more
highly regarded internationally.
(2) I am aware
that some elements of the commonwealth's reforms to the safeguard
mechanism are still being finalised. The WA government continues to advocate to
the commonwealth government for the state's strategic priorities to
position our energy intensive and critical mineral industries to remain
competitive in the face of global trends and national policy settings. The
government is engaging on an ongoing basis with industry stakeholders and the
commonwealth to ensure that WA industries and the economy prospers in a net
zero future.
(3) The Cook
Labor government is proud of the WA union movement and its advocacy in standing
up for local workers. This is critical at a time
when the state and federal Liberal and National Parties are recklessly pursuing a politically motivated ideology for nuclear energy in Collie that
will threaten the livelihood of regional communities without any consultation.
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