❓ Dr. Walker questions the Minister for Kimberley about intervention authority regarding mining proposals near Broome's water sources and potential ministerial responsibility confusion. The Minister clarifies his role as a regional advocate while maintaining existing ministerial responsibilities.
AnsweredQoN 19Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Mining proposals—Kimberley
19. Hon Dr Brian Walker to the Minister for Kimberley :
I draw the minister's
attention to concerns raised by residents of Coconut Well and 12 Mile on the
outskirts of Broome in relation to proposals to mine in close proximity to the
primary water source for each of those communities and to further grant water
rights to Outwest Resources, the mining company in question.
(1) What authority, if any, will the minister have
in his new capacity as Minister for Kimberley to intervene in this or other
similar matters?
(2) If he is not the minister responsible, does
the final responsibility lie with:
(a) the Minister for Mines and Petroleum;
(b) the Minister for the Environment;
(c) the Minister for Water;
(d) the Minister for Tertiary and International Education,
given that there could be potentially serious impacts to the operations of
North Regional TAFE; or
(e) the Attorney General, given that the case
currently sits before the Warden's Court?
(3) Will the government acknowledge that by adding
an additional geographic ministry to an already muddled mix, there is the
potential for ordinary Western Australians with concerns to be bounced from
pillar to post for lack of a clear and unambiguous line of ministerial
responsibility?
The President: I take this opportunity to remind the
honourable member of standing order 105.
19. Hon Dr Brian Walker to the Minister for Kimberley :
I draw the minister's
attention to concerns raised by residents of Coconut Well and 12 Mile on the
outskirts of Broome in relation to proposals to mine in close proximity to the
primary water source for each of those communities and to further grant water
rights to Outwest Resources, the mining company in question.
(1) What authority, if any, will the minister have
in his new capacity as Minister for Kimberley to intervene in this or other
similar matters?
(2) If he is not the minister responsible, does
the final responsibility lie with:
(a) the Minister for Mines and Petroleum;
(b) the Minister for the Environment;
(c) the Minister for Water;
(d) the Minister for Tertiary and International Education,
given that there could be potentially serious impacts to the operations of
North Regional TAFE; or
(e) the Attorney General, given that the case
currently sits before the Warden's Court?
(3) Will the government acknowledge that by adding
an additional geographic ministry to an already muddled mix, there is the
potential for ordinary Western Australians with concerns to be bounced from
pillar to post for lack of a clear and unambiguous line of ministerial
responsibility?
The President: I take this opportunity to remind the
honourable member of standing order 105.
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of his
very long question.
(1)–(3) As Minister for Kimberley, I will
take a keen interest in all projects that take place in that region. However,
the line ministers—the ministers with responsibility for various things—will
still be responsible.
Hon Neil Thomson: What about the local member?
Hon Stephen Dawson: The member can ask his question
later. I am answering the question that has been asked.
In this case, the
Minister for Water is the lead minister for such a thing. It is fair to say
that there has been some concern in the community, but the laws as they stand
in Western Australia allow a proponent to put in an application for these types
of things and that application has to be addressed. That is what will happen.
In relation to my role moving forward, I will certainly be a dedicated voice in
the cabinet for issues relating to the Kimberley. If someone has to seek
environmental approval or water approval, they will of course have to go to the
ministers who report under those acts.
very long question.
(1)–(3) As Minister for Kimberley, I will
take a keen interest in all projects that take place in that region. However,
the line ministers—the ministers with responsibility for various things—will
still be responsible.
Hon Neil Thomson: What about the local member?
Hon Stephen Dawson: The member can ask his question
later. I am answering the question that has been asked.
In this case, the
Minister for Water is the lead minister for such a thing. It is fair to say
that there has been some concern in the community, but the laws as they stand
in Western Australia allow a proponent to put in an application for these types
of things and that application has to be addressed. That is what will happen.
In relation to my role moving forward, I will certainly be a dedicated voice in
the cabinet for issues relating to the Kimberley. If someone has to seek
environmental approval or water approval, they will of course have to go to the
ministers who report under those acts.
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