❓ A parliamentary question regarding the Apache Energy gas plant explosion at Varanus Island, focusing on the Department of Industry and Resources' (DOIR) compliance and inspection responsibilities, resources, and potential preventative measures. The Minister's response defends the department's actions and resources.
AnsweredQoN 331Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
APACHE ENERGY GAS PLANT EXPLOSION — DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY AND RESOURCES
In its Esperance lead inquiry, the Education and Health Standing Committee found that inadequate resourcing had limited the capacity of the Department of Environment and Conservation, and raised concerns that the department’s community-adopted approach was characterised by the lack of a compliance culture. The committee recommended that the department’s efforts to implement a more robust regulatory approach be given critical priority to ensure that the public is adequately protected from pollutants and environmental harm. (1) Given that the Department of Industry Resources is the responsible agency for investigating compliance at Varanus Island, does it too have inadequate state government resources and a lack of a compliance culture? (2) Did DOIR properly meet its responsibilities in inspecting the facilities on Varanus? (3) Could the explosion that has crippled WA industry have been prevented by proper inspection and maintenance? (4) If yes to (3), will the minister accept personal responsibility if his department is found to have failed to protect critical infrastructure in this state? Mr F.M. LOGAN
In its Esperance lead inquiry, the Education and Health Standing Committee found that inadequate resourcing had limited the capacity of the Department of Environment and Conservation, and raised concerns that the department’s community-adopted approach was characterised by the lack of a compliance culture. The committee recommended that the department’s efforts to implement a more robust regulatory approach be given critical priority to ensure that the public is adequately protected from pollutants and environmental harm. (1) Given that the Department of Industry Resources is the responsible agency for investigating compliance at Varanus Island, does it too have inadequate state government resources and a lack of a compliance culture? (2) Did DOIR properly meet its responsibilities in inspecting the facilities on Varanus? (3) Could the explosion that has crippled WA industry have been prevented by proper inspection and maintenance? (4) If yes to (3), will the minister accept personal responsibility if his department is found to have failed to protect critical infrastructure in this state? Mr F.M. LOGAN
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(4) This is again a follow-up from the Leader of the Opposition’s question about the staffing of the Department of Industry and Resources. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition should remember this: all the technical expertise that is used to investigate, for example, issues relating to the Dampier to Bunbury pipeline or the Parmelia pipeline has been transferred from the Department of Industry and Resources to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is aware of that, is he not? Dr K.D. Hames : Yes. Mr F.M. LOGAN : If that is primarily what the question on staffing is about, he should put his question to the appropriate minister. With respect to staffing the Department of Industry and Resources and all its responsibilities, I think I am on the record as having spoken in this place on numerous occasions about the extra money that has been provided by my friend the Treasurer to allow the department to employ more staff to actually carry out compliance, particularly with the Mining Act, and to speed up approvals processes. Two years ago an extra $1 million was provided to the department so that more people could be employed. Only last year, if I remember rightly, an extra $3.5 million was allocated to our budget to employ more people for the purpose of compliance. Dr K.D. Hames : Have you employed them? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Yes, we have employed more people. Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
(1) Given that the Department of Industry Resources is the responsible agency for investigating compliance at Varanus Island, does it too have inadequate state government resources and a lack of a compliance culture? (2) Did DOIR properly meet its responsibilities in inspecting the facilities on Varanus? (3) Could the explosion that has crippled WA industry have been prevented by proper inspection and maintenance? (4) If yes to (3), will the minister accept personal responsibility if his department is found to have failed to protect critical infrastructure in this state? Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: (1)-(4) This is again a follow-up from the Leader of the Opposition’s question about the staffing of the Department of Industry and Resources. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition should remember this: all the technical expertise that is used to investigate, for example, issues relating to the Dampier to Bunbury pipeline or the Parmelia pipeline has been transferred from the Department of Industry and Resources to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is aware of that, is he not? Dr K.D. Hames : Yes. Mr F.M. LOGAN : If that is primarily what the question on staffing is about, he should put his question to the appropriate minister. With respect to staffing the Department of Industry and Resources and all its responsibilities, I think I am on the record as having spoken in this place on numerous occasions about the extra money that has been provided by my friend the Treasurer to allow the department to employ more staff to actually carry out compliance, particularly with the Mining Act, and to speed up approvals processes. Two years ago an extra $1 million was provided to the department so that more people could be employed. Only last year, if I remember rightly, an extra $3.5 million was allocated to our budget to employ more people for the purpose of compliance. Dr K.D. Hames : Have you employed them? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Yes, we have employed more people. Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
(2) Did DOIR properly meet its responsibilities in inspecting the facilities on Varanus? (3) Could the explosion that has crippled WA industry have been prevented by proper inspection and maintenance? (4) If yes to (3), will the minister accept personal responsibility if his department is found to have failed to protect critical infrastructure in this state? Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: (1)-(4) This is again a follow-up from the Leader of the Opposition’s question about the staffing of the Department of Industry and Resources. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition should remember this: all the technical expertise that is used to investigate, for example, issues relating to the Dampier to Bunbury pipeline or the Parmelia pipeline has been transferred from the Department of Industry and Resources to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is aware of that, is he not? Dr K.D. Hames : Yes. Mr F.M. LOGAN : If that is primarily what the question on staffing is about, he should put his question to the appropriate minister. With respect to staffing the Department of Industry and Resources and all its responsibilities, I think I am on the record as having spoken in this place on numerous occasions about the extra money that has been provided by my friend the Treasurer to allow the department to employ more staff to actually carry out compliance, particularly with the Mining Act, and to speed up approvals processes. Two years ago an extra $1 million was provided to the department so that more people could be employed. Only last year, if I remember rightly, an extra $3.5 million was allocated to our budget to employ more people for the purpose of compliance. Dr K.D. Hames : Have you employed them? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Yes, we have employed more people. Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
(3) Could the explosion that has crippled WA industry have been prevented by proper inspection and maintenance? (4) If yes to (3), will the minister accept personal responsibility if his department is found to have failed to protect critical infrastructure in this state? Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: (1)-(4) This is again a follow-up from the Leader of the Opposition’s question about the staffing of the Department of Industry and Resources. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition should remember this: all the technical expertise that is used to investigate, for example, issues relating to the Dampier to Bunbury pipeline or the Parmelia pipeline has been transferred from the Department of Industry and Resources to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is aware of that, is he not? Dr K.D. Hames : Yes. Mr F.M. LOGAN : If that is primarily what the question on staffing is about, he should put his question to the appropriate minister. With respect to staffing the Department of Industry and Resources and all its responsibilities, I think I am on the record as having spoken in this place on numerous occasions about the extra money that has been provided by my friend the Treasurer to allow the department to employ more staff to actually carry out compliance, particularly with the Mining Act, and to speed up approvals processes. Two years ago an extra $1 million was provided to the department so that more people could be employed. Only last year, if I remember rightly, an extra $3.5 million was allocated to our budget to employ more people for the purpose of compliance. Dr K.D. Hames : Have you employed them? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Yes, we have employed more people. Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
(4) If yes to (3), will the minister accept personal responsibility if his department is found to have failed to protect critical infrastructure in this state? Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: (1)-(4) This is again a follow-up from the Leader of the Opposition’s question about the staffing of the Department of Industry and Resources. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition should remember this: all the technical expertise that is used to investigate, for example, issues relating to the Dampier to Bunbury pipeline or the Parmelia pipeline has been transferred from the Department of Industry and Resources to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is aware of that, is he not? Dr K.D. Hames : Yes. Mr F.M. LOGAN : If that is primarily what the question on staffing is about, he should put his question to the appropriate minister. With respect to staffing the Department of Industry and Resources and all its responsibilities, I think I am on the record as having spoken in this place on numerous occasions about the extra money that has been provided by my friend the Treasurer to allow the department to employ more staff to actually carry out compliance, particularly with the Mining Act, and to speed up approvals processes. Two years ago an extra $1 million was provided to the department so that more people could be employed. Only last year, if I remember rightly, an extra $3.5 million was allocated to our budget to employ more people for the purpose of compliance. Dr K.D. Hames : Have you employed them? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Yes, we have employed more people. Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: (1)-(4) This is again a follow-up from the Leader of the Opposition’s question about the staffing of the Department of Industry and Resources. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition should remember this: all the technical expertise that is used to investigate, for example, issues relating to the Dampier to Bunbury pipeline or the Parmelia pipeline has been transferred from the Department of Industry and Resources to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is aware of that, is he not? Dr K.D. Hames : Yes. Mr F.M. LOGAN : If that is primarily what the question on staffing is about, he should put his question to the appropriate minister. With respect to staffing the Department of Industry and Resources and all its responsibilities, I think I am on the record as having spoken in this place on numerous occasions about the extra money that has been provided by my friend the Treasurer to allow the department to employ more staff to actually carry out compliance, particularly with the Mining Act, and to speed up approvals processes. Two years ago an extra $1 million was provided to the department so that more people could be employed. Only last year, if I remember rightly, an extra $3.5 million was allocated to our budget to employ more people for the purpose of compliance. Dr K.D. Hames : Have you employed them? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Yes, we have employed more people. Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
(1)-(4) This is again a follow-up from the Leader of the Opposition’s question about the staffing of the Department of Industry and Resources. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition should remember this: all the technical expertise that is used to investigate, for example, issues relating to the Dampier to Bunbury pipeline or the Parmelia pipeline has been transferred from the Department of Industry and Resources to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is aware of that, is he not? Dr K.D. Hames : Yes. Mr F.M. LOGAN : If that is primarily what the question on staffing is about, he should put his question to the appropriate minister. With respect to staffing the Department of Industry and Resources and all its responsibilities, I think I am on the record as having spoken in this place on numerous occasions about the extra money that has been provided by my friend the Treasurer to allow the department to employ more staff to actually carry out compliance, particularly with the Mining Act, and to speed up approvals processes. Two years ago an extra $1 million was provided to the department so that more people could be employed. Only last year, if I remember rightly, an extra $3.5 million was allocated to our budget to employ more people for the purpose of compliance. Dr K.D. Hames : Have you employed them? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Yes, we have employed more people. Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
Dr K.D. Hames : Yes. Mr F.M. LOGAN : If that is primarily what the question on staffing is about, he should put his question to the appropriate minister. With respect to staffing the Department of Industry and Resources and all its responsibilities, I think I am on the record as having spoken in this place on numerous occasions about the extra money that has been provided by my friend the Treasurer to allow the department to employ more staff to actually carry out compliance, particularly with the Mining Act, and to speed up approvals processes. Two years ago an extra $1 million was provided to the department so that more people could be employed. Only last year, if I remember rightly, an extra $3.5 million was allocated to our budget to employ more people for the purpose of compliance. Dr K.D. Hames : Have you employed them? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Yes, we have employed more people. Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : If that is primarily what the question on staffing is about, he should put his question to the appropriate minister. With respect to staffing the Department of Industry and Resources and all its responsibilities, I think I am on the record as having spoken in this place on numerous occasions about the extra money that has been provided by my friend the Treasurer to allow the department to employ more staff to actually carry out compliance, particularly with the Mining Act, and to speed up approvals processes. Two years ago an extra $1 million was provided to the department so that more people could be employed. Only last year, if I remember rightly, an extra $3.5 million was allocated to our budget to employ more people for the purpose of compliance. Dr K.D. Hames : Have you employed them? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Yes, we have employed more people. Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
Dr K.D. Hames : Have you employed them? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Yes, we have employed more people. Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : Yes, we have employed more people. Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
(1) Given that the Department of Industry Resources is the responsible agency for investigating compliance at Varanus Island, does it too have inadequate state government resources and a lack of a compliance culture? (2) Did DOIR properly meet its responsibilities in inspecting the facilities on Varanus? (3) Could the explosion that has crippled WA industry have been prevented by proper inspection and maintenance? (4) If yes to (3), will the minister accept personal responsibility if his department is found to have failed to protect critical infrastructure in this state? Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: (1)-(4) This is again a follow-up from the Leader of the Opposition’s question about the staffing of the Department of Industry and Resources. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition should remember this: all the technical expertise that is used to investigate, for example, issues relating to the Dampier to Bunbury pipeline or the Parmelia pipeline has been transferred from the Department of Industry and Resources to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is aware of that, is he not? Dr K.D. Hames : Yes. Mr F.M. LOGAN : If that is primarily what the question on staffing is about, he should put his question to the appropriate minister. With respect to staffing the Department of Industry and Resources and all its responsibilities, I think I am on the record as having spoken in this place on numerous occasions about the extra money that has been provided by my friend the Treasurer to allow the department to employ more staff to actually carry out compliance, particularly with the Mining Act, and to speed up approvals processes. Two years ago an extra $1 million was provided to the department so that more people could be employed. Only last year, if I remember rightly, an extra $3.5 million was allocated to our budget to employ more people for the purpose of compliance. Dr K.D. Hames : Have you employed them? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Yes, we have employed more people. Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
(2) Did DOIR properly meet its responsibilities in inspecting the facilities on Varanus? (3) Could the explosion that has crippled WA industry have been prevented by proper inspection and maintenance? (4) If yes to (3), will the minister accept personal responsibility if his department is found to have failed to protect critical infrastructure in this state? Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: (1)-(4) This is again a follow-up from the Leader of the Opposition’s question about the staffing of the Department of Industry and Resources. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition should remember this: all the technical expertise that is used to investigate, for example, issues relating to the Dampier to Bunbury pipeline or the Parmelia pipeline has been transferred from the Department of Industry and Resources to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is aware of that, is he not? Dr K.D. Hames : Yes. Mr F.M. LOGAN : If that is primarily what the question on staffing is about, he should put his question to the appropriate minister. With respect to staffing the Department of Industry and Resources and all its responsibilities, I think I am on the record as having spoken in this place on numerous occasions about the extra money that has been provided by my friend the Treasurer to allow the department to employ more staff to actually carry out compliance, particularly with the Mining Act, and to speed up approvals processes. Two years ago an extra $1 million was provided to the department so that more people could be employed. Only last year, if I remember rightly, an extra $3.5 million was allocated to our budget to employ more people for the purpose of compliance. Dr K.D. Hames : Have you employed them? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Yes, we have employed more people. Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
(3) Could the explosion that has crippled WA industry have been prevented by proper inspection and maintenance? (4) If yes to (3), will the minister accept personal responsibility if his department is found to have failed to protect critical infrastructure in this state? Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: (1)-(4) This is again a follow-up from the Leader of the Opposition’s question about the staffing of the Department of Industry and Resources. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition should remember this: all the technical expertise that is used to investigate, for example, issues relating to the Dampier to Bunbury pipeline or the Parmelia pipeline has been transferred from the Department of Industry and Resources to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is aware of that, is he not? Dr K.D. Hames : Yes. Mr F.M. LOGAN : If that is primarily what the question on staffing is about, he should put his question to the appropriate minister. With respect to staffing the Department of Industry and Resources and all its responsibilities, I think I am on the record as having spoken in this place on numerous occasions about the extra money that has been provided by my friend the Treasurer to allow the department to employ more staff to actually carry out compliance, particularly with the Mining Act, and to speed up approvals processes. Two years ago an extra $1 million was provided to the department so that more people could be employed. Only last year, if I remember rightly, an extra $3.5 million was allocated to our budget to employ more people for the purpose of compliance. Dr K.D. Hames : Have you employed them? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Yes, we have employed more people. Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
(4) If yes to (3), will the minister accept personal responsibility if his department is found to have failed to protect critical infrastructure in this state? Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: (1)-(4) This is again a follow-up from the Leader of the Opposition’s question about the staffing of the Department of Industry and Resources. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition should remember this: all the technical expertise that is used to investigate, for example, issues relating to the Dampier to Bunbury pipeline or the Parmelia pipeline has been transferred from the Department of Industry and Resources to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is aware of that, is he not? Dr K.D. Hames : Yes. Mr F.M. LOGAN : If that is primarily what the question on staffing is about, he should put his question to the appropriate minister. With respect to staffing the Department of Industry and Resources and all its responsibilities, I think I am on the record as having spoken in this place on numerous occasions about the extra money that has been provided by my friend the Treasurer to allow the department to employ more staff to actually carry out compliance, particularly with the Mining Act, and to speed up approvals processes. Two years ago an extra $1 million was provided to the department so that more people could be employed. Only last year, if I remember rightly, an extra $3.5 million was allocated to our budget to employ more people for the purpose of compliance. Dr K.D. Hames : Have you employed them? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Yes, we have employed more people. Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
Mr F.M. LOGAN replied: (1)-(4) This is again a follow-up from the Leader of the Opposition’s question about the staffing of the Department of Industry and Resources. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition should remember this: all the technical expertise that is used to investigate, for example, issues relating to the Dampier to Bunbury pipeline or the Parmelia pipeline has been transferred from the Department of Industry and Resources to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is aware of that, is he not? Dr K.D. Hames : Yes. Mr F.M. LOGAN : If that is primarily what the question on staffing is about, he should put his question to the appropriate minister. With respect to staffing the Department of Industry and Resources and all its responsibilities, I think I am on the record as having spoken in this place on numerous occasions about the extra money that has been provided by my friend the Treasurer to allow the department to employ more staff to actually carry out compliance, particularly with the Mining Act, and to speed up approvals processes. Two years ago an extra $1 million was provided to the department so that more people could be employed. Only last year, if I remember rightly, an extra $3.5 million was allocated to our budget to employ more people for the purpose of compliance. Dr K.D. Hames : Have you employed them? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Yes, we have employed more people. Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
(1)-(4) This is again a follow-up from the Leader of the Opposition’s question about the staffing of the Department of Industry and Resources. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition should remember this: all the technical expertise that is used to investigate, for example, issues relating to the Dampier to Bunbury pipeline or the Parmelia pipeline has been transferred from the Department of Industry and Resources to the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition is aware of that, is he not? Dr K.D. Hames : Yes. Mr F.M. LOGAN : If that is primarily what the question on staffing is about, he should put his question to the appropriate minister. With respect to staffing the Department of Industry and Resources and all its responsibilities, I think I am on the record as having spoken in this place on numerous occasions about the extra money that has been provided by my friend the Treasurer to allow the department to employ more staff to actually carry out compliance, particularly with the Mining Act, and to speed up approvals processes. Two years ago an extra $1 million was provided to the department so that more people could be employed. Only last year, if I remember rightly, an extra $3.5 million was allocated to our budget to employ more people for the purpose of compliance. Dr K.D. Hames : Have you employed them? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Yes, we have employed more people. Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
Dr K.D. Hames : Yes. Mr F.M. LOGAN : If that is primarily what the question on staffing is about, he should put his question to the appropriate minister. With respect to staffing the Department of Industry and Resources and all its responsibilities, I think I am on the record as having spoken in this place on numerous occasions about the extra money that has been provided by my friend the Treasurer to allow the department to employ more staff to actually carry out compliance, particularly with the Mining Act, and to speed up approvals processes. Two years ago an extra $1 million was provided to the department so that more people could be employed. Only last year, if I remember rightly, an extra $3.5 million was allocated to our budget to employ more people for the purpose of compliance. Dr K.D. Hames : Have you employed them? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Yes, we have employed more people. Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : If that is primarily what the question on staffing is about, he should put his question to the appropriate minister. With respect to staffing the Department of Industry and Resources and all its responsibilities, I think I am on the record as having spoken in this place on numerous occasions about the extra money that has been provided by my friend the Treasurer to allow the department to employ more staff to actually carry out compliance, particularly with the Mining Act, and to speed up approvals processes. Two years ago an extra $1 million was provided to the department so that more people could be employed. Only last year, if I remember rightly, an extra $3.5 million was allocated to our budget to employ more people for the purpose of compliance. Dr K.D. Hames : Have you employed them? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Yes, we have employed more people. Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
Dr K.D. Hames : Have you employed them? Mr F.M. LOGAN : Yes, we have employed more people. Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : Yes, we have employed more people. Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
Dr K.D. Hames : Have they done pipeline inspections? Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : With respect to the proper investigations of the island, the member for Darling Range asked a question last week about the number of times the Apache facility had been inspected. I provided him with that information, which refers to the past nine months at least. I have since been made aware that, since the establishment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority in 2005, six safety cases have been undertaken at the Varanus Island facility and the facilities offshore from Varanus Island. That is not unusual for many offshore and gas facilities around Australia. They are normal investigation and safety case evaluation procedures. Six have been done on Varanus Island facilities and its offshore facilities since 2005. That work done by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority is then reviewed by the department. That goes to the third part of the question. Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
Dr K.D. Hames : The same happened at Esperance, where those inspections were supposed to be undertaken and they failed. Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : I cannot see where this line of investigation is going. If the opposition is frustrated at the speed of undertaking this investigation into what occurred, my response would be that we are all frustrated about the time taken, but that is what will occur. There is no point in speculating or coming into this chamber and asking questions that will undermine the investigation. In answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s previous question, such questions would undermine any possible prosecution that could arise out of the investigation and any defence from any litigation by Apache Energy or any action by people who want to take action against Apache. That is what those questions could do. Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
Mr T. Buswell : We asked you whether the department was doing its job. Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
Mr F.M. LOGAN : The department is clearly doing its job and NOPSA is clearly doing its job in regard to the explosion on Varanus Island. Just let them get on with it and conclude their investigation.
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