❓ A parliamentary question scrutinises the potential conflict of interest of the Western Australian Marine Parks and Reserves Authority (MPRA) Chairperson, Eric Streitberg, due to his involvement with the oil and gas industry, and seeks commitments to marine conservation in the Kimberley.
AnsweredQoN 790Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Given that the Minister stated in this house, ‘The Marine Parks and Reserves Authority and the Conservation Commission of Western Australia will also play a key role in the development of the Kimberley science and conservation Strategy. To this end, I have asked the Marine Parks and Reserves Authority to have a particular focus on marine areas in the Kimberley’, (Source: pp 1971-1972 Hansard, Wednesday 18 March 2009), I ask -
(1) Is the Minister aware that the Chairperson of the Western Australian Marine Parks and Reserves Authority (MPRA), Mr Eric Streitberg, is also Chairperson of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA), the peak lobby group for the oil and gas exploration and production industry?
(2) Is the Minister able to confirm that the MPRA webpage incorrectly lists Mr. Streitberg as the vice chair of APPEA, and also fails to mention that he is Managing Director, Buru Energy Ltd (as stated on the APPEA website) and Managing Director of Arc Energy Limited (as stated on the Australian Institute of Company Directors website) and that despite these high level petroleum industry positions, according to MPRA annual reports, Mr Streitberg has never registered a conflict of interest in any of the MPRA meetings he has chaired?
(3) Given that the oil and gas industry has commercial interests along virtually the entire length of the Western Australian coast, including the Kimberley, is the Minister concerned about Mr Streitberg’s perceived or actual near-permanent conflict of interest?
(4) Would the Minister agree that this perceived conflict of interest, and the failure to acknowledge it, can only undermine the credibility and effectiveness of Western Australia’s only dedicated statutory marine conservation authority?
(5) Did the MPRA advise the Minister in relation to the recently produced consultation map identifying five small potential marine conservation ‘areas of interest’ in the Kimberley?
(6) If yes to (5), what was the nature of that advice?
(7) Despite one of the MPRA’s statutory responsibilities being the preparation of policies on marine conservation in Western Australia, there is no record on their webpage or annual reports of any actual finalised policy developed by the MPRA on any marine conservation issues in Western Australia. Has the MPRA developed any policies on marine conservation issues in Western Australia in the 12 years of its existence?
(8) Currently the Kimberley marine environment, acknowledged in a recently released DEC report as likely to, ‘contain a coral reef province of global significance’, has zero percent of it’s coastal waters protected in any form of marine park. Can the Minister please provide, -
(a) a commitment to establish a comprehensive marine protected areas (MPA’s) network in the Kimberley based on international best practice for MPA design and implementation to protect all areas of high conservation value and the broad scale ecological health of the Kimberley marine environment as well as protecting the rights and culture of its traditional owners;
(b) a timeline for the implementation of a system of Marine Parks in the Kimberley; and
(c) a commitment to engage and involve the Kimberley Indigenous community in the declaration and management of Marine Parks in the Kimberley, including the development of statutory mechanisms to facilitate this?
(1) Is the Minister aware that the Chairperson of the Western Australian Marine Parks and Reserves Authority (MPRA), Mr Eric Streitberg, is also Chairperson of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA), the peak lobby group for the oil and gas exploration and production industry?
(2) Is the Minister able to confirm that the MPRA webpage incorrectly lists Mr. Streitberg as the vice chair of APPEA, and also fails to mention that he is Managing Director, Buru Energy Ltd (as stated on the APPEA website) and Managing Director of Arc Energy Limited (as stated on the Australian Institute of Company Directors website) and that despite these high level petroleum industry positions, according to MPRA annual reports, Mr Streitberg has never registered a conflict of interest in any of the MPRA meetings he has chaired?
(3) Given that the oil and gas industry has commercial interests along virtually the entire length of the Western Australian coast, including the Kimberley, is the Minister concerned about Mr Streitberg’s perceived or actual near-permanent conflict of interest?
(4) Would the Minister agree that this perceived conflict of interest, and the failure to acknowledge it, can only undermine the credibility and effectiveness of Western Australia’s only dedicated statutory marine conservation authority?
(5) Did the MPRA advise the Minister in relation to the recently produced consultation map identifying five small potential marine conservation ‘areas of interest’ in the Kimberley?
(6) If yes to (5), what was the nature of that advice?
(7) Despite one of the MPRA’s statutory responsibilities being the preparation of policies on marine conservation in Western Australia, there is no record on their webpage or annual reports of any actual finalised policy developed by the MPRA on any marine conservation issues in Western Australia. Has the MPRA developed any policies on marine conservation issues in Western Australia in the 12 years of its existence?
(8) Currently the Kimberley marine environment, acknowledged in a recently released DEC report as likely to, ‘contain a coral reef province of global significance’, has zero percent of it’s coastal waters protected in any form of marine park. Can the Minister please provide, -
(a) a commitment to establish a comprehensive marine protected areas (MPA’s) network in the Kimberley based on international best practice for MPA design and implementation to protect all areas of high conservation value and the broad scale ecological health of the Kimberley marine environment as well as protecting the rights and culture of its traditional owners;
(b) a timeline for the implementation of a system of Marine Parks in the Kimberley; and
(c) a commitment to engage and involve the Kimberley Indigenous community in the declaration and management of Marine Parks in the Kimberley, including the development of statutory mechanisms to facilitate this?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
20 August 2009
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
65 days
(1) Yes.
(2) The MPRA website is periodically updated as information changes or new documents are prepared, with the most recent update being 29 June 2009. The MPRA website now reads "Eric is a geologist and geophysicist who has worked in the oil and gas sector both internationally and nationally for more than 35 years. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Geophysics. Eric is the Chair of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) and Chair of the APPEA Exploration Committee".
Mr Streitberg is no longer the Managing Director of Arc Energy Limited and is Chairman of Buru Energy Limited.
(3) The MPRA works within endorsed Conflict of Interest Guidelines and Procedures. These guidelines clearly define 'conflict of interest' and the action to be taken by a member should a conflict of interest occur. MPRA members are required to state at the commencement of each meeting of the Authority, and at any other time, whether they have a conflict of interest.
I am advised that Mr Streitberg has disclosed all relevant information regarding his professional interests. I expect that Mr Streitberg would declare a conflict of interest, should one arise in his role with the MPRA, in accordance with the Conflict of Interest Guidelines and Procedures.
(4) No.
(5) The MPRA has provided advice on proposed marine conservation reserves in the Kimberleyregion. The MPRA's advice was taken into consideration in the preparation of the map 'Kimberley Region marine areas of conservation interest'. The map was produced as a basis for stimulating public consideration of conservation in the Kimberley, as part of a consultative process for developing the Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy. The maps were indicative only, and do not constitute formal proposals.
(6) See (5) above.
(7) Yes. Under section 26B(1)(b) of the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984, a function of the MPRA is to develop policies. Two policies are listed on the MPRA web site as at 29 June 2009: Marine Management Areas 2001; and Audit Policy 2008. The MPRA has an agreed formal policy development procedure. In May 2008, the MPRA developed a prioritised schedule of policy topics and several policies are in development. Over the past 12 years, the MPRA has often established a position on issues as required to advise the Minister of the day in regard to marine conservation. This advice is not generally translated into formal policies.
(8) (a) The Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy illustrates the State Government's commitment to protecting the natural and cultural values of the Kimberley. The strategy will consider the values of the Kimberley, including the marine environment.
(b) A timeline for the implementation of the Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy will be determined upon its completion.
(c) The Government recognises that Aboriginal people and communities have an important role to play in protecting and managing the Kimberley's wildlife, landscapes and marine environment. Consultation and involvement with native title holders or claimants and traditional owners will continue to be undertaken as part of the Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy.
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(2) The MPRA website is periodically updated as information changes or new documents are prepared, with the most recent update being 29 June 2009. The MPRA website now reads "Eric is a geologist and geophysicist who has worked in the oil and gas sector both internationally and nationally for more than 35 years. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Geophysics. Eric is the Chair of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA) and Chair of the APPEA Exploration Committee".
Mr Streitberg is no longer the Managing Director of Arc Energy Limited and is Chairman of Buru Energy Limited.
(3) The MPRA works within endorsed Conflict of Interest Guidelines and Procedures. These guidelines clearly define 'conflict of interest' and the action to be taken by a member should a conflict of interest occur. MPRA members are required to state at the commencement of each meeting of the Authority, and at any other time, whether they have a conflict of interest.
I am advised that Mr Streitberg has disclosed all relevant information regarding his professional interests. I expect that Mr Streitberg would declare a conflict of interest, should one arise in his role with the MPRA, in accordance with the Conflict of Interest Guidelines and Procedures.
(4) No.
(5) The MPRA has provided advice on proposed marine conservation reserves in the Kimberleyregion. The MPRA's advice was taken into consideration in the preparation of the map 'Kimberley Region marine areas of conservation interest'. The map was produced as a basis for stimulating public consideration of conservation in the Kimberley, as part of a consultative process for developing the Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy. The maps were indicative only, and do not constitute formal proposals.
(6) See (5) above.
(7) Yes. Under section 26B(1)(b) of the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984, a function of the MPRA is to develop policies. Two policies are listed on the MPRA web site as at 29 June 2009: Marine Management Areas 2001; and Audit Policy 2008. The MPRA has an agreed formal policy development procedure. In May 2008, the MPRA developed a prioritised schedule of policy topics and several policies are in development. Over the past 12 years, the MPRA has often established a position on issues as required to advise the Minister of the day in regard to marine conservation. This advice is not generally translated into formal policies.
(8) (a) The Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy illustrates the State Government's commitment to protecting the natural and cultural values of the Kimberley. The strategy will consider the values of the Kimberley, including the marine environment.
(b) A timeline for the implementation of the Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy will be determined upon its completion.
(c) The Government recognises that Aboriginal people and communities have an important role to play in protecting and managing the Kimberley's wildlife, landscapes and marine environment. Consultation and involvement with native title holders or claimants and traditional owners will continue to be undertaken as part of the Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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