A parliamentary question regarding the WA government's spending on seismic surveys in the Canning Basin, specifically concerning its potential use for gas fracking and overall fossil fuel research funding. The government provides specific figures for the Kidson Sub-basin survey but declines to provide a comprehensive figure for all fossil fuel-related spending.

AnsweredQoN 1427Legislative Council
Asked
26 June 2018
Portfolio
Mines and Petroleum

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the media statement, Seismic survey to uncover the Canning Basin's deep geology , released by Hon Bill Johnston MLA on Monday, 18 June 2018, and I ask: (a) how much is the Labor Government spending on seismic surveys of the Canning Basin; (b) will this research be useful for companies focusing on exploiting gas fracking in the Canning Basin/Kimberley; and (c) what is the total amount of money that the McGowan Labor Government is spending on fossil fuels research, exploration or subsidies of any kind?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
28 August 2018
Responded by
Minister for Regional Development representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Response time
9 days
(a)        The 2D deep seismic survey being undertaken in the Canning Basin, across the Kidson Sub-basin will include a contribution of $1.6 million through the Western Australian Government’s Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS). The total cost of the Kidson Seismic Survey is about $4.6 million, with $3 million being contributed by Geoscience Australia. Geoscience Australia is managing the project.
(b)       This seismic survey is in a very remote area of Western Australia and the basic scientific information gathered provides a view of the crust down to a depth of 40km, as such it provides valuable information over a wide area to the scientific community generally, including the mineral and petroleum exploration industries.
(c)        Due to the broad nature of this question, and the array of programs across the whole of Government conducting work that may intersect with the topic broached by the Member, I am unable to provide an answer to this question.

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