❓ Mr Carey asks the Premier how the government's fracking prohibition strikes a balance between environmental protection, landowner rights, and economic development. The Premier defends the policy, citing scientific evidence and community consultation.
AnsweredQoN 982Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING MORATORIUM
982. Mr J.N. CAREY to the Premier:
On behalf of the member for Thornlie, I acknowledge the
students from Thornlie Senior High School.
Can the Premier outline to the house how the government's
decision to prohibit fracking in 98 per cent of the state strikes the right
balance between environmental protection and the rights of landowners with the
need to encourage economic development?
Mr R.S. Love interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Moore!
982. Mr J.N. CAREY to the Premier:
On behalf of the member for Thornlie, I acknowledge the
students from Thornlie Senior High School.
Can the Premier outline to the house how the government's
decision to prohibit fracking in 98 per cent of the state strikes the right
balance between environmental protection and the rights of landowners with the
need to encourage economic development?
Mr R.S. Love interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Moore!
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Perth for the question. It is true
that my job as Premier of Western Australia is to act in the best interests of
all Western Australians. That was my commitment upon being elected and it
remains my commitment. In doing so, balance has to be struck between many
interests and many views across the state. This can be difficult and can
involve making tough decisions to try to come up with the right balance. I strongly
believe that the policy position we have arrived at on fracking has struck the
right balance between protecting the environment and the rights of landowners,
encouraging economic development and giving certainty to the community and to
the business community. We have done what we promised; that is, we have banned
fracking in the south west, Peel and the
metropolitan area. We are now extending that and not permitting fracking over 98
per cent of Western Australia. We will work with the local community to ensure
that it is not permitted on the Dampier Peninsula. It will be banned
within our national parks and proposed national parks. It will be banned within
two kilometres of public drinking water sources, and within two kilometres of
residences and residential communities. Even then, it will be permitted only if
farmers, landowners or traditional owners consent, which is a big change from
what was in place before.
We know that there are different views. For instance, the
Noonkanbah community put out a statement today supporting the position we have
taken, due to the jobs and opportunities it will provide Aboriginal people in
that community. Although we have tried to reflect community views, we cannot
ignore that some people are concerned about this issue. At the election, we
promised to hold a scientific inquiry. The independent scientific inquiry led
by Dr Tom Hatton spent 12 months considering all the available evidence. It
reviewed 500 different scientific papers and took thousands of submissions. It
concluded that the risks to people and the environment from fracking are low.
It found that those risks would be reduced even further if the inquiry's
recommendations were adopted. We are adopting all 44 of Dr Hatton's
recommendations.
Mr R.S. Love interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Moore, I call you to order for
the first time.
Mr M. McGOWAN : That means no fracking project will be
allowed unless it is assessed and approved by the Environmental Protection
Authority. That did not happen before this change. We will also put in place an
enforceable code of practice, ensuring the highest standards of health, safety
and environmental protection for all industry operations. Again, this will
occur only on existing petroleum leases and licences, and only if landholders,
farmers and traditional owners agree. Although we must take into account the
views of everyone across the community, we cannot ignore the science, and we
have not ignored the science. To propose a blanket ban on fracking on existing
petroleum licences when the evidence shows that the risks can be managed would
undermine Western Australia's reputation as a safe place to invest and
do business. We realise it is a difficult issue for many people across the
state, but we think our responsible, considered and balanced position is the
right way to go.
that my job as Premier of Western Australia is to act in the best interests of
all Western Australians. That was my commitment upon being elected and it
remains my commitment. In doing so, balance has to be struck between many
interests and many views across the state. This can be difficult and can
involve making tough decisions to try to come up with the right balance. I strongly
believe that the policy position we have arrived at on fracking has struck the
right balance between protecting the environment and the rights of landowners,
encouraging economic development and giving certainty to the community and to
the business community. We have done what we promised; that is, we have banned
fracking in the south west, Peel and the
metropolitan area. We are now extending that and not permitting fracking over 98
per cent of Western Australia. We will work with the local community to ensure
that it is not permitted on the Dampier Peninsula. It will be banned
within our national parks and proposed national parks. It will be banned within
two kilometres of public drinking water sources, and within two kilometres of
residences and residential communities. Even then, it will be permitted only if
farmers, landowners or traditional owners consent, which is a big change from
what was in place before.
We know that there are different views. For instance, the
Noonkanbah community put out a statement today supporting the position we have
taken, due to the jobs and opportunities it will provide Aboriginal people in
that community. Although we have tried to reflect community views, we cannot
ignore that some people are concerned about this issue. At the election, we
promised to hold a scientific inquiry. The independent scientific inquiry led
by Dr Tom Hatton spent 12 months considering all the available evidence. It
reviewed 500 different scientific papers and took thousands of submissions. It
concluded that the risks to people and the environment from fracking are low.
It found that those risks would be reduced even further if the inquiry's
recommendations were adopted. We are adopting all 44 of Dr Hatton's
recommendations.
Mr R.S. Love interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Moore, I call you to order for
the first time.
Mr M. McGOWAN : That means no fracking project will be
allowed unless it is assessed and approved by the Environmental Protection
Authority. That did not happen before this change. We will also put in place an
enforceable code of practice, ensuring the highest standards of health, safety
and environmental protection for all industry operations. Again, this will
occur only on existing petroleum leases and licences, and only if landholders,
farmers and traditional owners agree. Although we must take into account the
views of everyone across the community, we cannot ignore the science, and we
have not ignored the science. To propose a blanket ban on fracking on existing
petroleum licences when the evidence shows that the risks can be managed would
undermine Western Australia's reputation as a safe place to invest and
do business. We realise it is a difficult issue for many people across the
state, but we think our responsible, considered and balanced position is the
right way to go.
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