❓ A WA parliamentary question scrutinising the EPA's assessment of the proposed Browse LNG hub at James Price Point, focusing on potential conflicts of interest of EPA members, particularly Dr. Paul Vogel, and seeking assurance of a full environmental assessment for any LNG plant proposal.
AnsweredQoN 5924Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
In relation to the Environmental Protection Authority's (EPA's) assessment of the Western Australian Government's proposed Browse Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) hub at James Price Point (JPP), I ask —
(1) Is the Minister planning to appoint new members to the EPA who do not have a conflict of interest in this matter?
(2) If yes to (1), when will they be appointed?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
(4) Does the Minister have any concerns that the Chairman of the EPA, Dr Paul Vogel, continues to be the sole decision-maker in this matter?
(5) Is the Minister concerned that Dr Vogel is perceived to have a conflict of interest in that he is currently undergoing reappointment to the position while making decisions on a major State Government development?
(6) Does the Minister intend to allow Dr Vogel to be the sole decision-maker in relation to an application by Woodside for its LNG facility at JPP to be declared a derived proposal by the EPA and thereby avoiding further public environmental assessment?
(7) Is the Minister concerned that if he allows Dr Vogel to be the sole decision-maker, his decision will attract the same level of criticism as the earlier decision to recommend approval for the gas hub?
(8) Is the Minister aware that the Premier recently stated in Parliament that any proposal by Woodside to build an LNG facility at JPP would be subject to full environmental assessment?
(9) Will the Minister require the EPA to conduct a full environmental assessment of any proposed LNG plant at JPP?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) When will the decision on Dr Vogel's reappointment to the EPA be made?
(1) Is the Minister planning to appoint new members to the EPA who do not have a conflict of interest in this matter?
(2) If yes to (1), when will they be appointed?
(3) If no to (1), why not?
(4) Does the Minister have any concerns that the Chairman of the EPA, Dr Paul Vogel, continues to be the sole decision-maker in this matter?
(5) Is the Minister concerned that Dr Vogel is perceived to have a conflict of interest in that he is currently undergoing reappointment to the position while making decisions on a major State Government development?
(6) Does the Minister intend to allow Dr Vogel to be the sole decision-maker in relation to an application by Woodside for its LNG facility at JPP to be declared a derived proposal by the EPA and thereby avoiding further public environmental assessment?
(7) Is the Minister concerned that if he allows Dr Vogel to be the sole decision-maker, his decision will attract the same level of criticism as the earlier decision to recommend approval for the gas hub?
(8) Is the Minister aware that the Premier recently stated in Parliament that any proposal by Woodside to build an LNG facility at JPP would be subject to full environmental assessment?
(9) Will the Minister require the EPA to conduct a full environmental assessment of any proposed LNG plant at JPP?
(10) If no to (9), why not?
(11) When will the decision on Dr Vogel's reappointment to the EPA be made?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 September 2012
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Environment
Response time
35 days
(1) The
Environmental Protection Act 1986
(the Act) provides that there are to be five EPA members. All of the positions are currently filled.
(2) Not applicable
(3) See answer to (1).
(4) No. Dr Vogel has more than two decades of environmental experience at senior level, including CEO of the South Australian Environment Protection Authority and extensive involvement in the Western Australian context.
(5) No
(6)-(7) If an application is submitted by Woodside for an LNG facility at James Price Point the matter will be determined in accordance with due process under the Act. If, at the time any such application is received, Dr Vogel is the sole non-conflicted member of the EPA, there are options available to him under the Act to establish an independent panel to advise him on the application.
(8)-(10) Any application related to development of an LNG facility at James Price Point will be considered in accordance with due process under the Act.
(11) The process by which EPA membership appointments are made is set out in the Act.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
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Environmental Protection Act 1986
(the Act) provides that there are to be five EPA members. All of the positions are currently filled.
(2) Not applicable
(3) See answer to (1).
(4) No. Dr Vogel has more than two decades of environmental experience at senior level, including CEO of the South Australian Environment Protection Authority and extensive involvement in the Western Australian context.
(5) No
(6)-(7) If an application is submitted by Woodside for an LNG facility at James Price Point the matter will be determined in accordance with due process under the Act. If, at the time any such application is received, Dr Vogel is the sole non-conflicted member of the EPA, there are options available to him under the Act to establish an independent panel to advise him on the application.
(8)-(10) Any application related to development of an LNG facility at James Price Point will be considered in accordance with due process under the Act.
(11) The process by which EPA membership appointments are made is set out in the Act.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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