❓ Mr. Barnett questions the Minister for State Development about Epic Energy's legal action against the gas regulator regarding the Dampier to Bunbury pipeline and potential impacts on state development and gas tariffs. The Minister acknowledges the importance of the issue but emphasizes the independence of the regulator and ongoing review process.
AnsweredQoN 214Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
EPIC ENERGY, REGULATOR’S DECISION
I refer the minister to the announcement that Epic Energy is taking legal action against the Office of Gas Access Regulation over the regulatory decision on the Dampier to Bunbury natural gas pipeline. (1) Does the minister agree with Epic Energy’s concern that the regulator’s decision, if implemented, will have far-reaching implications for development in the State? (2) Will new resource projects be required to pay a substantially higher tariff for gas from the pipeline than existing customers? Mr BROWN
I refer the minister to the announcement that Epic Energy is taking legal action against the Office of Gas Access Regulation over the regulatory decision on the Dampier to Bunbury natural gas pipeline. (1) Does the minister agree with Epic Energy’s concern that the regulator’s decision, if implemented, will have far-reaching implications for development in the State? (2) Will new resource projects be required to pay a substantially higher tariff for gas from the pipeline than existing customers? Mr BROWN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) This is a very important matter for Western Australia. It turns on a number of important issues. As the Leader of the Opposition and other members will be aware, an independent regulator is in place. The independent regulator has brought down a draft decision that will be subject to further consideration by the regulator. Epic Energy has indicated that it intends to make further representations. I have taken a particular interest in this issue and I have met with Epic Energy over this matter. As there is an independent regulator, it is essential we observe the process. I am concerned about what is being said in a number of quarters, particularly in relation to the purchase arrangements and the undertakings allegedly made at the time. All of those things are subject to review. This issue is of great concern to the Government and me. However, it is a matter that is before the independent regulator and it is appropriate that the independent regulator continue to examine the matter.
(1) Does the minister agree with Epic Energy’s concern that the regulator’s decision, if implemented, will have far-reaching implications for development in the State? (2) Will new resource projects be required to pay a substantially higher tariff for gas from the pipeline than existing customers? Mr BROWN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) This is a very important matter for Western Australia. It turns on a number of important issues. As the Leader of the Opposition and other members will be aware, an independent regulator is in place. The independent regulator has brought down a draft decision that will be subject to further consideration by the regulator. Epic Energy has indicated that it intends to make further representations. I have taken a particular interest in this issue and I have met with Epic Energy over this matter. As there is an independent regulator, it is essential we observe the process. I am concerned about what is being said in a number of quarters, particularly in relation to the purchase arrangements and the undertakings allegedly made at the time. All of those things are subject to review. This issue is of great concern to the Government and me. However, it is a matter that is before the independent regulator and it is appropriate that the independent regulator continue to examine the matter.
(2) Will new resource projects be required to pay a substantially higher tariff for gas from the pipeline than existing customers? Mr BROWN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) This is a very important matter for Western Australia. It turns on a number of important issues. As the Leader of the Opposition and other members will be aware, an independent regulator is in place. The independent regulator has brought down a draft decision that will be subject to further consideration by the regulator. Epic Energy has indicated that it intends to make further representations. I have taken a particular interest in this issue and I have met with Epic Energy over this matter. As there is an independent regulator, it is essential we observe the process. I am concerned about what is being said in a number of quarters, particularly in relation to the purchase arrangements and the undertakings allegedly made at the time. All of those things are subject to review. This issue is of great concern to the Government and me. However, it is a matter that is before the independent regulator and it is appropriate that the independent regulator continue to examine the matter.
Mr BROWN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) This is a very important matter for Western Australia. It turns on a number of important issues. As the Leader of the Opposition and other members will be aware, an independent regulator is in place. The independent regulator has brought down a draft decision that will be subject to further consideration by the regulator. Epic Energy has indicated that it intends to make further representations. I have taken a particular interest in this issue and I have met with Epic Energy over this matter. As there is an independent regulator, it is essential we observe the process. I am concerned about what is being said in a number of quarters, particularly in relation to the purchase arrangements and the undertakings allegedly made at the time. All of those things are subject to review. This issue is of great concern to the Government and me. However, it is a matter that is before the independent regulator and it is appropriate that the independent regulator continue to examine the matter.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) This is a very important matter for Western Australia. It turns on a number of important issues. As the Leader of the Opposition and other members will be aware, an independent regulator is in place. The independent regulator has brought down a draft decision that will be subject to further consideration by the regulator. Epic Energy has indicated that it intends to make further representations. I have taken a particular interest in this issue and I have met with Epic Energy over this matter. As there is an independent regulator, it is essential we observe the process. I am concerned about what is being said in a number of quarters, particularly in relation to the purchase arrangements and the undertakings allegedly made at the time. All of those things are subject to review. This issue is of great concern to the Government and me. However, it is a matter that is before the independent regulator and it is appropriate that the independent regulator continue to examine the matter.
(1)-(2) This is a very important matter for Western Australia. It turns on a number of important issues. As the Leader of the Opposition and other members will be aware, an independent regulator is in place. The independent regulator has brought down a draft decision that will be subject to further consideration by the regulator. Epic Energy has indicated that it intends to make further representations. I have taken a particular interest in this issue and I have met with Epic Energy over this matter. As there is an independent regulator, it is essential we observe the process. I am concerned about what is being said in a number of quarters, particularly in relation to the purchase arrangements and the undertakings allegedly made at the time. All of those things are subject to review. This issue is of great concern to the Government and me. However, it is a matter that is before the independent regulator and it is appropriate that the independent regulator continue to examine the matter.
(1) Does the minister agree with Epic Energy’s concern that the regulator’s decision, if implemented, will have far-reaching implications for development in the State? (2) Will new resource projects be required to pay a substantially higher tariff for gas from the pipeline than existing customers? Mr BROWN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) This is a very important matter for Western Australia. It turns on a number of important issues. As the Leader of the Opposition and other members will be aware, an independent regulator is in place. The independent regulator has brought down a draft decision that will be subject to further consideration by the regulator. Epic Energy has indicated that it intends to make further representations. I have taken a particular interest in this issue and I have met with Epic Energy over this matter. As there is an independent regulator, it is essential we observe the process. I am concerned about what is being said in a number of quarters, particularly in relation to the purchase arrangements and the undertakings allegedly made at the time. All of those things are subject to review. This issue is of great concern to the Government and me. However, it is a matter that is before the independent regulator and it is appropriate that the independent regulator continue to examine the matter.
(2) Will new resource projects be required to pay a substantially higher tariff for gas from the pipeline than existing customers? Mr BROWN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) This is a very important matter for Western Australia. It turns on a number of important issues. As the Leader of the Opposition and other members will be aware, an independent regulator is in place. The independent regulator has brought down a draft decision that will be subject to further consideration by the regulator. Epic Energy has indicated that it intends to make further representations. I have taken a particular interest in this issue and I have met with Epic Energy over this matter. As there is an independent regulator, it is essential we observe the process. I am concerned about what is being said in a number of quarters, particularly in relation to the purchase arrangements and the undertakings allegedly made at the time. All of those things are subject to review. This issue is of great concern to the Government and me. However, it is a matter that is before the independent regulator and it is appropriate that the independent regulator continue to examine the matter.
Mr BROWN replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) This is a very important matter for Western Australia. It turns on a number of important issues. As the Leader of the Opposition and other members will be aware, an independent regulator is in place. The independent regulator has brought down a draft decision that will be subject to further consideration by the regulator. Epic Energy has indicated that it intends to make further representations. I have taken a particular interest in this issue and I have met with Epic Energy over this matter. As there is an independent regulator, it is essential we observe the process. I am concerned about what is being said in a number of quarters, particularly in relation to the purchase arrangements and the undertakings allegedly made at the time. All of those things are subject to review. This issue is of great concern to the Government and me. However, it is a matter that is before the independent regulator and it is appropriate that the independent regulator continue to examine the matter.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1)-(2) This is a very important matter for Western Australia. It turns on a number of important issues. As the Leader of the Opposition and other members will be aware, an independent regulator is in place. The independent regulator has brought down a draft decision that will be subject to further consideration by the regulator. Epic Energy has indicated that it intends to make further representations. I have taken a particular interest in this issue and I have met with Epic Energy over this matter. As there is an independent regulator, it is essential we observe the process. I am concerned about what is being said in a number of quarters, particularly in relation to the purchase arrangements and the undertakings allegedly made at the time. All of those things are subject to review. This issue is of great concern to the Government and me. However, it is a matter that is before the independent regulator and it is appropriate that the independent regulator continue to examine the matter.
(1)-(2) This is a very important matter for Western Australia. It turns on a number of important issues. As the Leader of the Opposition and other members will be aware, an independent regulator is in place. The independent regulator has brought down a draft decision that will be subject to further consideration by the regulator. Epic Energy has indicated that it intends to make further representations. I have taken a particular interest in this issue and I have met with Epic Energy over this matter. As there is an independent regulator, it is essential we observe the process. I am concerned about what is being said in a number of quarters, particularly in relation to the purchase arrangements and the undertakings allegedly made at the time. All of those things are subject to review. This issue is of great concern to the Government and me. However, it is a matter that is before the independent regulator and it is appropriate that the independent regulator continue to examine the matter.
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