❓ Opposition questions the Premier's role in the Browse LNG project's stalled development, citing interference. The Premier deflects blame, pointing to low oil prices and criticising the previous Labor government's inaction on Inpex.
AnsweredQoN 164Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BROWSE LNG PROJECT — OAKAJEE
164. Mr W.J. JOHNSTON to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
When will the Premier admit that his interference has ruined the chances of the
Browse field being developed?
164. Mr W.J. JOHNSTON to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
When will the Premier admit that his interference has ruined the chances of the
Browse field being developed?
AnswerView source ↗
Browse will be developed; it is not
going to be developed when oil prices are $34 or $35 a barrel. Indeed, projects
right around the world are not going to be developed—not greenfield
ones. As I said earlier today, when prices recover to somewhere around their
long-term trend, which is probably about $70 a barrel, those projects will find
their way. As to ''interference'', it is a pity that the previous
Labor government did not interfere and help Inpex to find a site. It is a pity
that the Labor government did not interfere and help.
Mr
M. McGowan : You messed it up.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition stood up here today and claimed
that he approved the Gorgon project. I will tell members what happened when we
came into government in 2008.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We had just lost the —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you for the second time. Premier, a quick
answer through the Chair.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We had just lost the Inpex project to Darwin. I met with the
American heads of Chevron, and members should bear in mind that I was involved
with Gorgon through the 1990s. I was asked a simple question: ''Who in
your government would take responsibility for the Gorgon project?'' I said
that I would as Minister for State Development. They said, ''All right;
we'll restart the project.'' That is what happened.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Thank you!
going to be developed when oil prices are $34 or $35 a barrel. Indeed, projects
right around the world are not going to be developed—not greenfield
ones. As I said earlier today, when prices recover to somewhere around their
long-term trend, which is probably about $70 a barrel, those projects will find
their way. As to ''interference'', it is a pity that the previous
Labor government did not interfere and help Inpex to find a site. It is a pity
that the Labor government did not interfere and help.
Mr
M. McGowan : You messed it up.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : The Leader of the Opposition stood up here today and claimed
that he approved the Gorgon project. I will tell members what happened when we
came into government in 2008.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We had just lost the —
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I call you for the second time. Premier, a quick
answer through the Chair.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We had just lost the Inpex project to Darwin. I met with the
American heads of Chevron, and members should bear in mind that I was involved
with Gorgon through the 1990s. I was asked a simple question: ''Who in
your government would take responsibility for the Gorgon project?'' I said
that I would as Minister for State Development. They said, ''All right;
we'll restart the project.'' That is what happened.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Thank you!
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