The government is in discussion with the Esperance Port Authority and Nickel Producers regarding the export of nickel concentrate, balancing community health and the viability of the nickel industry. They acknowledge infrastructure upgrades are needed and aim to resolve long-standing issues.

AnsweredQoN 13Legislative Council
Asked
10 November 2008
Portfolio
Leader of the House representing the Premier

QuestionView source ↗

ESPERANCE PORT — NICKEL CONCENTRATE EXPORT
Can the Premier assure the people of Esperance that the government will not overrule the decision of the Esperance Port Authority to ban the export of nickel concentrate except in bags or containers? Hon NORMAN MOORE

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Premier received the following advice from the office of the Minister for Transport — The Government is currently engaged with the Esperance Port Authority and Nickel Producers in discussion of this matter seeking to protect the public health and amenity of the Esperance community and to preserve the viability of the nickel sulphide concentrate industry in Western Australia. This is a complex issue. It is essential that the health and amenity of the Esperance community is not compromised. The Premier is also keen to ensure that the viability of the Western Australian industry is maintained and that many jobs of those Western Australians engaged directly and indirectly in this industry are not lost. The Premier is advised by the nickel producers that the implementation of the decision of the Esperance Port Authority to require all exports of nickel sulphide concentrate in bags or containers will bring the Nickel Industry to a halt. The Government recognises that the existing infrastructure of the bulk handling of metal concentrates at the Esperance Port requires upgrading. The Government is determined to see action taken on issues neglected for far too long by the previous Government and end the finger-pointing, blame and inaction that had become its hallmark.
Hon NORMAN MOORE replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Premier received the following advice from the office of the Minister for Transport — The Government is currently engaged with the Esperance Port Authority and Nickel Producers in discussion of this matter seeking to protect the public health and amenity of the Esperance community and to preserve the viability of the nickel sulphide concentrate industry in Western Australia. This is a complex issue. It is essential that the health and amenity of the Esperance community is not compromised. The Premier is also keen to ensure that the viability of the Western Australian industry is maintained and that many jobs of those Western Australians engaged directly and indirectly in this industry are not lost. The Premier is advised by the nickel producers that the implementation of the decision of the Esperance Port Authority to require all exports of nickel sulphide concentrate in bags or containers will bring the Nickel Industry to a halt. The Government recognises that the existing infrastructure of the bulk handling of metal concentrates at the Esperance Port requires upgrading. The Government is determined to see action taken on issues neglected for far too long by the previous Government and end the finger-pointing, blame and inaction that had become its hallmark.
I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Premier received the following advice from the office of the Minister for Transport — The Government is currently engaged with the Esperance Port Authority and Nickel Producers in discussion of this matter seeking to protect the public health and amenity of the Esperance community and to preserve the viability of the nickel sulphide concentrate industry in Western Australia. This is a complex issue. It is essential that the health and amenity of the Esperance community is not compromised. The Premier is also keen to ensure that the viability of the Western Australian industry is maintained and that many jobs of those Western Australians engaged directly and indirectly in this industry are not lost. The Premier is advised by the nickel producers that the implementation of the decision of the Esperance Port Authority to require all exports of nickel sulphide concentrate in bags or containers will bring the Nickel Industry to a halt. The Government recognises that the existing infrastructure of the bulk handling of metal concentrates at the Esperance Port requires upgrading. The Government is determined to see action taken on issues neglected for far too long by the previous Government and end the finger-pointing, blame and inaction that had become its hallmark.
This is a complex issue. It is essential that the health and amenity of the Esperance community is not compromised. The Premier is also keen to ensure that the viability of the Western Australian industry is maintained and that many jobs of those Western Australians engaged directly and indirectly in this industry are not lost. The Premier is advised by the nickel producers that the implementation of the decision of the Esperance Port Authority to require all exports of nickel sulphide concentrate in bags or containers will bring the Nickel Industry to a halt. The Government recognises that the existing infrastructure of the bulk handling of metal concentrates at the Esperance Port requires upgrading. The Government is determined to see action taken on issues neglected for far too long by the previous Government and end the finger-pointing, blame and inaction that had become its hallmark.
The Premier is advised by the nickel producers that the implementation of the decision of the Esperance Port Authority to require all exports of nickel sulphide concentrate in bags or containers will bring the Nickel Industry to a halt. The Government recognises that the existing infrastructure of the bulk handling of metal concentrates at the Esperance Port requires upgrading. The Government is determined to see action taken on issues neglected for far too long by the previous Government and end the finger-pointing, blame and inaction that had become its hallmark.
The Government recognises that the existing infrastructure of the bulk handling of metal concentrates at the Esperance Port requires upgrading. The Government is determined to see action taken on issues neglected for far too long by the previous Government and end the finger-pointing, blame and inaction that had become its hallmark.
The Government is determined to see action taken on issues neglected for far too long by the previous Government and end the finger-pointing, blame and inaction that had become its hallmark.

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