❓ Question regarding gas pricing for new resource projects following a Supreme Court case involving Epic Energy and the Dampier-to-Bunbury pipeline. The Minister deflects responsibility and defends the government's broader record on resource development.
AnsweredQoN 1069Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the minister to his comments in this place on 2 August last year that he would give serious consideration to the Independent Gas Pipelines Access Regulator’s decision on the Dampier-to-Bunbury natural gas pipeline, and that he would work through the issues. (1) Given that the Supreme Court is expected to hand down its judgment in the next few weeks on the legal action taken by Epic Energy on this matter, can the minister confirm that a decision against Epic Energy would see new resource project developers paying substantially higher prices for gas than existing gas pipeline customers? (2) What action has the Government taken to guarantee that future resource projects in Western Australia will have access to competitively priced gas? Mr BROWN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Darling Range for the question. (1)-(2) Ministerial responsibility for the Independent Gas Pipelines Access Regulator lies with the Deputy Premier and Minister for Energy, rather than me. Obviously, since the matter is before the court it would be presumptuous of me to make any predictions about what the court may ultimately determine. That decision will have to be dealt with once it has been made. I am aware of the strong views that have been put by Epic Energy about the circumstances under which it acquired the pipeline. I am aware of some recent advertising by Epic about that, and I have written to the company seeking further details about the background of those advertisements. Commenting precipitously now about what a court may or may not do would be wrong. A range of projects have been earmarked for the future development of the State, a number of which are located on the Burrup Peninsula. As I have reported already today, I attended a meeting of residents to look at those proposals. The Government has supported the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project and is seeking to get it under way. It has supported BHP Billiton Ltd’s Ravensthorpe nickel proposal. Mr Day interjected. Mr BROWN: The member for Darling Range asked what the Government is doing, and I will tell him. The Government is taking up major issues raised by developers. When the present Government was in opposition it was told that the approvals process in Western Australia was appalling and needed to be improved. This Government has the courage to take up this issue, which the previous Government, in eight long years, did not do. The Government has appointed the member for Eyre to examine the question of exploration expenditure in the industry, which was declining under the previous Government. The only thing the previous Government did in its last term was to promise the gold industry that there would be no gold tax and then six months later rat on that undertaking and impose the tax. That is the record of the previous Government in its last four years, so members opposite should not come in here questioning me. They looked out of the window in the hope something would come along. The only thing the previous Government did in its last four years was to impose a tax that it said it would not impose.
(1) Given that the Supreme Court is expected to hand down its judgment in the next few weeks on the legal action taken by Epic Energy on this matter, can the minister confirm that a decision against Epic Energy would see new resource project developers paying substantially higher prices for gas than existing gas pipeline customers? (2) What action has the Government taken to guarantee that future resource projects in Western Australia will have access to competitively priced gas? Mr BROWN replied: I thank the member for Darling Range for the question. (1)-(2) Ministerial responsibility for the Independent Gas Pipelines Access Regulator lies with the Deputy Premier and Minister for Energy, rather than me. Obviously, since the matter is before the court it would be presumptuous of me to make any predictions about what the court may ultimately determine. That decision will have to be dealt with once it has been made. I am aware of the strong views that have been put by Epic Energy about the circumstances under which it acquired the pipeline. I am aware of some recent advertising by Epic about that, and I have written to the company seeking further details about the background of those advertisements. Commenting precipitously now about what a court may or may not do would be wrong. A range of projects have been earmarked for the future development of the State, a number of which are located on the Burrup Peninsula. As I have reported already today, I attended a meeting of residents to look at those proposals. The Government has supported the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project and is seeking to get it under way. It has supported BHP Billiton Ltd’s Ravensthorpe nickel proposal. Mr Day interjected. Mr BROWN: The member for Darling Range asked what the Government is doing, and I will tell him. The Government is taking up major issues raised by developers. When the present Government was in opposition it was told that the approvals process in Western Australia was appalling and needed to be improved. This Government has the courage to take up this issue, which the previous Government, in eight long years, did not do. The Government has appointed the member for Eyre to examine the question of exploration expenditure in the industry, which was declining under the previous Government. The only thing the previous Government did in its last term was to promise the gold industry that there would be no gold tax and then six months later rat on that undertaking and impose the tax. That is the record of the previous Government in its last four years, so members opposite should not come in here questioning me. They looked out of the window in the hope something would come along. The only thing the previous Government did in its last four years was to impose a tax that it said it would not impose.
(2) What action has the Government taken to guarantee that future resource projects in Western Australia will have access to competitively priced gas? Mr BROWN replied: I thank the member for Darling Range for the question. (1)-(2) Ministerial responsibility for the Independent Gas Pipelines Access Regulator lies with the Deputy Premier and Minister for Energy, rather than me. Obviously, since the matter is before the court it would be presumptuous of me to make any predictions about what the court may ultimately determine. That decision will have to be dealt with once it has been made. I am aware of the strong views that have been put by Epic Energy about the circumstances under which it acquired the pipeline. I am aware of some recent advertising by Epic about that, and I have written to the company seeking further details about the background of those advertisements. Commenting precipitously now about what a court may or may not do would be wrong. A range of projects have been earmarked for the future development of the State, a number of which are located on the Burrup Peninsula. As I have reported already today, I attended a meeting of residents to look at those proposals. The Government has supported the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project and is seeking to get it under way. It has supported BHP Billiton Ltd’s Ravensthorpe nickel proposal. Mr Day interjected. Mr BROWN: The member for Darling Range asked what the Government is doing, and I will tell him. The Government is taking up major issues raised by developers. When the present Government was in opposition it was told that the approvals process in Western Australia was appalling and needed to be improved. This Government has the courage to take up this issue, which the previous Government, in eight long years, did not do. The Government has appointed the member for Eyre to examine the question of exploration expenditure in the industry, which was declining under the previous Government. The only thing the previous Government did in its last term was to promise the gold industry that there would be no gold tax and then six months later rat on that undertaking and impose the tax. That is the record of the previous Government in its last four years, so members opposite should not come in here questioning me. They looked out of the window in the hope something would come along. The only thing the previous Government did in its last four years was to impose a tax that it said it would not impose.
Mr BROWN replied: I thank the member for Darling Range for the question. (1)-(2) Ministerial responsibility for the Independent Gas Pipelines Access Regulator lies with the Deputy Premier and Minister for Energy, rather than me. Obviously, since the matter is before the court it would be presumptuous of me to make any predictions about what the court may ultimately determine. That decision will have to be dealt with once it has been made. I am aware of the strong views that have been put by Epic Energy about the circumstances under which it acquired the pipeline. I am aware of some recent advertising by Epic about that, and I have written to the company seeking further details about the background of those advertisements. Commenting precipitously now about what a court may or may not do would be wrong. A range of projects have been earmarked for the future development of the State, a number of which are located on the Burrup Peninsula. As I have reported already today, I attended a meeting of residents to look at those proposals. The Government has supported the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project and is seeking to get it under way. It has supported BHP Billiton Ltd’s Ravensthorpe nickel proposal. Mr Day interjected. Mr BROWN: The member for Darling Range asked what the Government is doing, and I will tell him. The Government is taking up major issues raised by developers. When the present Government was in opposition it was told that the approvals process in Western Australia was appalling and needed to be improved. This Government has the courage to take up this issue, which the previous Government, in eight long years, did not do. The Government has appointed the member for Eyre to examine the question of exploration expenditure in the industry, which was declining under the previous Government. The only thing the previous Government did in its last term was to promise the gold industry that there would be no gold tax and then six months later rat on that undertaking and impose the tax. That is the record of the previous Government in its last four years, so members opposite should not come in here questioning me. They looked out of the window in the hope something would come along. The only thing the previous Government did in its last four years was to impose a tax that it said it would not impose.
I thank the member for Darling Range for the question. (1)-(2) Ministerial responsibility for the Independent Gas Pipelines Access Regulator lies with the Deputy Premier and Minister for Energy, rather than me. Obviously, since the matter is before the court it would be presumptuous of me to make any predictions about what the court may ultimately determine. That decision will have to be dealt with once it has been made. I am aware of the strong views that have been put by Epic Energy about the circumstances under which it acquired the pipeline. I am aware of some recent advertising by Epic about that, and I have written to the company seeking further details about the background of those advertisements. Commenting precipitously now about what a court may or may not do would be wrong. A range of projects have been earmarked for the future development of the State, a number of which are located on the Burrup Peninsula. As I have reported already today, I attended a meeting of residents to look at those proposals. The Government has supported the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project and is seeking to get it under way. It has supported BHP Billiton Ltd’s Ravensthorpe nickel proposal. Mr Day interjected. Mr BROWN: The member for Darling Range asked what the Government is doing, and I will tell him. The Government is taking up major issues raised by developers. When the present Government was in opposition it was told that the approvals process in Western Australia was appalling and needed to be improved. This Government has the courage to take up this issue, which the previous Government, in eight long years, did not do. The Government has appointed the member for Eyre to examine the question of exploration expenditure in the industry, which was declining under the previous Government. The only thing the previous Government did in its last term was to promise the gold industry that there would be no gold tax and then six months later rat on that undertaking and impose the tax. That is the record of the previous Government in its last four years, so members opposite should not come in here questioning me. They looked out of the window in the hope something would come along. The only thing the previous Government did in its last four years was to impose a tax that it said it would not impose.
(1)-(2) Ministerial responsibility for the Independent Gas Pipelines Access Regulator lies with the Deputy Premier and Minister for Energy, rather than me. Obviously, since the matter is before the court it would be presumptuous of me to make any predictions about what the court may ultimately determine. That decision will have to be dealt with once it has been made. I am aware of the strong views that have been put by Epic Energy about the circumstances under which it acquired the pipeline. I am aware of some recent advertising by Epic about that, and I have written to the company seeking further details about the background of those advertisements. Commenting precipitously now about what a court may or may not do would be wrong. A range of projects have been earmarked for the future development of the State, a number of which are located on the Burrup Peninsula. As I have reported already today, I attended a meeting of residents to look at those proposals. The Government has supported the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project and is seeking to get it under way. It has supported BHP Billiton Ltd’s Ravensthorpe nickel proposal. Mr Day interjected. Mr BROWN: The member for Darling Range asked what the Government is doing, and I will tell him. The Government is taking up major issues raised by developers. When the present Government was in opposition it was told that the approvals process in Western Australia was appalling and needed to be improved. This Government has the courage to take up this issue, which the previous Government, in eight long years, did not do. The Government has appointed the member for Eyre to examine the question of exploration expenditure in the industry, which was declining under the previous Government. The only thing the previous Government did in its last term was to promise the gold industry that there would be no gold tax and then six months later rat on that undertaking and impose the tax. That is the record of the previous Government in its last four years, so members opposite should not come in here questioning me. They looked out of the window in the hope something would come along. The only thing the previous Government did in its last four years was to impose a tax that it said it would not impose.
Mr BROWN: The member for Darling Range asked what the Government is doing, and I will tell him. The Government is taking up major issues raised by developers. When the present Government was in opposition it was told that the approvals process in Western Australia was appalling and needed to be improved. This Government has the courage to take up this issue, which the previous Government, in eight long years, did not do. The Government has appointed the member for Eyre to examine the question of exploration expenditure in the industry, which was declining under the previous Government. The only thing the previous Government did in its last term was to promise the gold industry that there would be no gold tax and then six months later rat on that undertaking and impose the tax. That is the record of the previous Government in its last four years, so members opposite should not come in here questioning me. They looked out of the window in the hope something would come along. The only thing the previous Government did in its last four years was to impose a tax that it said it would not impose.
(1) Given that the Supreme Court is expected to hand down its judgment in the next few weeks on the legal action taken by Epic Energy on this matter, can the minister confirm that a decision against Epic Energy would see new resource project developers paying substantially higher prices for gas than existing gas pipeline customers? (2) What action has the Government taken to guarantee that future resource projects in Western Australia will have access to competitively priced gas? Mr BROWN replied: I thank the member for Darling Range for the question. (1)-(2) Ministerial responsibility for the Independent Gas Pipelines Access Regulator lies with the Deputy Premier and Minister for Energy, rather than me. Obviously, since the matter is before the court it would be presumptuous of me to make any predictions about what the court may ultimately determine. That decision will have to be dealt with once it has been made. I am aware of the strong views that have been put by Epic Energy about the circumstances under which it acquired the pipeline. I am aware of some recent advertising by Epic about that, and I have written to the company seeking further details about the background of those advertisements. Commenting precipitously now about what a court may or may not do would be wrong. A range of projects have been earmarked for the future development of the State, a number of which are located on the Burrup Peninsula. As I have reported already today, I attended a meeting of residents to look at those proposals. The Government has supported the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project and is seeking to get it under way. It has supported BHP Billiton Ltd’s Ravensthorpe nickel proposal. Mr Day interjected. Mr BROWN: The member for Darling Range asked what the Government is doing, and I will tell him. The Government is taking up major issues raised by developers. When the present Government was in opposition it was told that the approvals process in Western Australia was appalling and needed to be improved. This Government has the courage to take up this issue, which the previous Government, in eight long years, did not do. The Government has appointed the member for Eyre to examine the question of exploration expenditure in the industry, which was declining under the previous Government. The only thing the previous Government did in its last term was to promise the gold industry that there would be no gold tax and then six months later rat on that undertaking and impose the tax. That is the record of the previous Government in its last four years, so members opposite should not come in here questioning me. They looked out of the window in the hope something would come along. The only thing the previous Government did in its last four years was to impose a tax that it said it would not impose.
(2) What action has the Government taken to guarantee that future resource projects in Western Australia will have access to competitively priced gas? Mr BROWN replied: I thank the member for Darling Range for the question. (1)-(2) Ministerial responsibility for the Independent Gas Pipelines Access Regulator lies with the Deputy Premier and Minister for Energy, rather than me. Obviously, since the matter is before the court it would be presumptuous of me to make any predictions about what the court may ultimately determine. That decision will have to be dealt with once it has been made. I am aware of the strong views that have been put by Epic Energy about the circumstances under which it acquired the pipeline. I am aware of some recent advertising by Epic about that, and I have written to the company seeking further details about the background of those advertisements. Commenting precipitously now about what a court may or may not do would be wrong. A range of projects have been earmarked for the future development of the State, a number of which are located on the Burrup Peninsula. As I have reported already today, I attended a meeting of residents to look at those proposals. The Government has supported the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project and is seeking to get it under way. It has supported BHP Billiton Ltd’s Ravensthorpe nickel proposal. Mr Day interjected. Mr BROWN: The member for Darling Range asked what the Government is doing, and I will tell him. The Government is taking up major issues raised by developers. When the present Government was in opposition it was told that the approvals process in Western Australia was appalling and needed to be improved. This Government has the courage to take up this issue, which the previous Government, in eight long years, did not do. The Government has appointed the member for Eyre to examine the question of exploration expenditure in the industry, which was declining under the previous Government. The only thing the previous Government did in its last term was to promise the gold industry that there would be no gold tax and then six months later rat on that undertaking and impose the tax. That is the record of the previous Government in its last four years, so members opposite should not come in here questioning me. They looked out of the window in the hope something would come along. The only thing the previous Government did in its last four years was to impose a tax that it said it would not impose.
Mr BROWN replied: I thank the member for Darling Range for the question. (1)-(2) Ministerial responsibility for the Independent Gas Pipelines Access Regulator lies with the Deputy Premier and Minister for Energy, rather than me. Obviously, since the matter is before the court it would be presumptuous of me to make any predictions about what the court may ultimately determine. That decision will have to be dealt with once it has been made. I am aware of the strong views that have been put by Epic Energy about the circumstances under which it acquired the pipeline. I am aware of some recent advertising by Epic about that, and I have written to the company seeking further details about the background of those advertisements. Commenting precipitously now about what a court may or may not do would be wrong. A range of projects have been earmarked for the future development of the State, a number of which are located on the Burrup Peninsula. As I have reported already today, I attended a meeting of residents to look at those proposals. The Government has supported the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project and is seeking to get it under way. It has supported BHP Billiton Ltd’s Ravensthorpe nickel proposal. Mr Day interjected. Mr BROWN: The member for Darling Range asked what the Government is doing, and I will tell him. The Government is taking up major issues raised by developers. When the present Government was in opposition it was told that the approvals process in Western Australia was appalling and needed to be improved. This Government has the courage to take up this issue, which the previous Government, in eight long years, did not do. The Government has appointed the member for Eyre to examine the question of exploration expenditure in the industry, which was declining under the previous Government. The only thing the previous Government did in its last term was to promise the gold industry that there would be no gold tax and then six months later rat on that undertaking and impose the tax. That is the record of the previous Government in its last four years, so members opposite should not come in here questioning me. They looked out of the window in the hope something would come along. The only thing the previous Government did in its last four years was to impose a tax that it said it would not impose.
I thank the member for Darling Range for the question. (1)-(2) Ministerial responsibility for the Independent Gas Pipelines Access Regulator lies with the Deputy Premier and Minister for Energy, rather than me. Obviously, since the matter is before the court it would be presumptuous of me to make any predictions about what the court may ultimately determine. That decision will have to be dealt with once it has been made. I am aware of the strong views that have been put by Epic Energy about the circumstances under which it acquired the pipeline. I am aware of some recent advertising by Epic about that, and I have written to the company seeking further details about the background of those advertisements. Commenting precipitously now about what a court may or may not do would be wrong. A range of projects have been earmarked for the future development of the State, a number of which are located on the Burrup Peninsula. As I have reported already today, I attended a meeting of residents to look at those proposals. The Government has supported the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project and is seeking to get it under way. It has supported BHP Billiton Ltd’s Ravensthorpe nickel proposal. Mr Day interjected. Mr BROWN: The member for Darling Range asked what the Government is doing, and I will tell him. The Government is taking up major issues raised by developers. When the present Government was in opposition it was told that the approvals process in Western Australia was appalling and needed to be improved. This Government has the courage to take up this issue, which the previous Government, in eight long years, did not do. The Government has appointed the member for Eyre to examine the question of exploration expenditure in the industry, which was declining under the previous Government. The only thing the previous Government did in its last term was to promise the gold industry that there would be no gold tax and then six months later rat on that undertaking and impose the tax. That is the record of the previous Government in its last four years, so members opposite should not come in here questioning me. They looked out of the window in the hope something would come along. The only thing the previous Government did in its last four years was to impose a tax that it said it would not impose.
(1)-(2) Ministerial responsibility for the Independent Gas Pipelines Access Regulator lies with the Deputy Premier and Minister for Energy, rather than me. Obviously, since the matter is before the court it would be presumptuous of me to make any predictions about what the court may ultimately determine. That decision will have to be dealt with once it has been made. I am aware of the strong views that have been put by Epic Energy about the circumstances under which it acquired the pipeline. I am aware of some recent advertising by Epic about that, and I have written to the company seeking further details about the background of those advertisements. Commenting precipitously now about what a court may or may not do would be wrong. A range of projects have been earmarked for the future development of the State, a number of which are located on the Burrup Peninsula. As I have reported already today, I attended a meeting of residents to look at those proposals. The Government has supported the HIsmelt Corporation Pty Ltd project and is seeking to get it under way. It has supported BHP Billiton Ltd’s Ravensthorpe nickel proposal. Mr Day interjected. Mr BROWN: The member for Darling Range asked what the Government is doing, and I will tell him. The Government is taking up major issues raised by developers. When the present Government was in opposition it was told that the approvals process in Western Australia was appalling and needed to be improved. This Government has the courage to take up this issue, which the previous Government, in eight long years, did not do. The Government has appointed the member for Eyre to examine the question of exploration expenditure in the industry, which was declining under the previous Government. The only thing the previous Government did in its last term was to promise the gold industry that there would be no gold tax and then six months later rat on that undertaking and impose the tax. That is the record of the previous Government in its last four years, so members opposite should not come in here questioning me. They looked out of the window in the hope something would come along. The only thing the previous Government did in its last four years was to impose a tax that it said it would not impose.
Mr BROWN: The member for Darling Range asked what the Government is doing, and I will tell him. The Government is taking up major issues raised by developers. When the present Government was in opposition it was told that the approvals process in Western Australia was appalling and needed to be improved. This Government has the courage to take up this issue, which the previous Government, in eight long years, did not do. The Government has appointed the member for Eyre to examine the question of exploration expenditure in the industry, which was declining under the previous Government. The only thing the previous Government did in its last term was to promise the gold industry that there would be no gold tax and then six months later rat on that undertaking and impose the tax. That is the record of the previous Government in its last four years, so members opposite should not come in here questioning me. They looked out of the window in the hope something would come along. The only thing the previous Government did in its last four years was to impose a tax that it said it would not impose.
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