❓ Question regarding the Leader of the Opposition's stance on environmental, heritage, and Indigenous approvals for Kimberley developments, followed by a lengthy response defending the government's approach and criticizing the opposition's alleged disregard for these sensitivities.
AnsweredQoN 22Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
KIMBERLEY DEVELOPMENTS — APPROVALS PROCESSES 22. Mrs C.A. MARTIN to the Minister for State Development: Can the minister attempt to explain the opposition leader’s apparent willingness to overlook environmental, heritage and Indigenous approvals processes for developments in the Kimberley? Mr E.S. RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
I was surprised at yet another example of inexperience and immaturity from the Leader of the Opposition when he made a comment about the resources sector. He accused the government of dawdling on a proposal to use the Maret Islands as a gas processing hub. Do not worry about the environment, do not worry about Aboriginal heritage, do not worry about native title and do not worry about the other proponents who want to establish liquefied natural gas projects in the west Kimberley. The SPEAKER : This minister seems to excite the opposition more than other ministers. I call to order the member for South Perth and the member for Roe. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Do not worry about the environment, do not worry about heritage, do not worry about the fact that there is exclusive possession native title land in the west Kimberley, just grant the approvals as soon as anyone asks! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Roe and the member for Avon to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Apparently, the new policy of the opposition is for there to be ad hoc development of liquefied natural gas processing plants up and down the west Kimberley coast. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
KIMBERLEY DEVELOPMENTS — APPROVALS PROCESSES
Can the minister attempt to explain the opposition leader’s apparent willingness to overlook environmental, heritage and Indigenous approvals processes for developments in the Kimberley? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I was surprised at yet another example of inexperience and immaturity from the Leader of the Opposition when he made a comment about the resources sector. He accused the government of dawdling on a proposal to use the Maret Islands as a gas processing hub. Do not worry about the environment, do not worry about Aboriginal heritage, do not worry about native title and do not worry about the other proponents who want to establish liquefied natural gas projects in the west Kimberley. The SPEAKER : This minister seems to excite the opposition more than other ministers. I call to order the member for South Perth and the member for Roe. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Do not worry about the environment, do not worry about heritage, do not worry about the fact that there is exclusive possession native title land in the west Kimberley, just grant the approvals as soon as anyone asks! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Roe and the member for Avon to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Apparently, the new policy of the opposition is for there to be ad hoc development of liquefied natural gas processing plants up and down the west Kimberley coast. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I was surprised at yet another example of inexperience and immaturity from the Leader of the Opposition when he made a comment about the resources sector. He accused the government of dawdling on a proposal to use the Maret Islands as a gas processing hub. Do not worry about the environment, do not worry about Aboriginal heritage, do not worry about native title and do not worry about the other proponents who want to establish liquefied natural gas projects in the west Kimberley. The SPEAKER : This minister seems to excite the opposition more than other ministers. I call to order the member for South Perth and the member for Roe. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Do not worry about the environment, do not worry about heritage, do not worry about the fact that there is exclusive possession native title land in the west Kimberley, just grant the approvals as soon as anyone asks! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Roe and the member for Avon to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Apparently, the new policy of the opposition is for there to be ad hoc development of liquefied natural gas processing plants up and down the west Kimberley coast. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
I was surprised at yet another example of inexperience and immaturity from the Leader of the Opposition when he made a comment about the resources sector. He accused the government of dawdling on a proposal to use the Maret Islands as a gas processing hub. Do not worry about the environment, do not worry about Aboriginal heritage, do not worry about native title and do not worry about the other proponents who want to establish liquefied natural gas projects in the west Kimberley. The SPEAKER : This minister seems to excite the opposition more than other ministers. I call to order the member for South Perth and the member for Roe. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Do not worry about the environment, do not worry about heritage, do not worry about the fact that there is exclusive possession native title land in the west Kimberley, just grant the approvals as soon as anyone asks! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Roe and the member for Avon to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Apparently, the new policy of the opposition is for there to be ad hoc development of liquefied natural gas processing plants up and down the west Kimberley coast. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
The SPEAKER : This minister seems to excite the opposition more than other ministers. I call to order the member for South Perth and the member for Roe. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Do not worry about the environment, do not worry about heritage, do not worry about the fact that there is exclusive possession native title land in the west Kimberley, just grant the approvals as soon as anyone asks! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Roe and the member for Avon to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Apparently, the new policy of the opposition is for there to be ad hoc development of liquefied natural gas processing plants up and down the west Kimberley coast. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Do not worry about the environment, do not worry about heritage, do not worry about the fact that there is exclusive possession native title land in the west Kimberley, just grant the approvals as soon as anyone asks! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Roe and the member for Avon to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Apparently, the new policy of the opposition is for there to be ad hoc development of liquefied natural gas processing plants up and down the west Kimberley coast. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Roe and the member for Avon to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Apparently, the new policy of the opposition is for there to be ad hoc development of liquefied natural gas processing plants up and down the west Kimberley coast. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Roe and the member for Avon to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Apparently, the new policy of the opposition is for there to be ad hoc development of liquefied natural gas processing plants up and down the west Kimberley coast. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Apparently, the new policy of the opposition is for there to be ad hoc development of liquefied natural gas processing plants up and down the west Kimberley coast. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
KIMBERLEY DEVELOPMENTS — APPROVALS PROCESSES
Can the minister attempt to explain the opposition leader’s apparent willingness to overlook environmental, heritage and Indigenous approvals processes for developments in the Kimberley? Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I was surprised at yet another example of inexperience and immaturity from the Leader of the Opposition when he made a comment about the resources sector. He accused the government of dawdling on a proposal to use the Maret Islands as a gas processing hub. Do not worry about the environment, do not worry about Aboriginal heritage, do not worry about native title and do not worry about the other proponents who want to establish liquefied natural gas projects in the west Kimberley. The SPEAKER : This minister seems to excite the opposition more than other ministers. I call to order the member for South Perth and the member for Roe. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Do not worry about the environment, do not worry about heritage, do not worry about the fact that there is exclusive possession native title land in the west Kimberley, just grant the approvals as soon as anyone asks! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Roe and the member for Avon to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Apparently, the new policy of the opposition is for there to be ad hoc development of liquefied natural gas processing plants up and down the west Kimberley coast. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
Mr E.S. RIPPER replied: I was surprised at yet another example of inexperience and immaturity from the Leader of the Opposition when he made a comment about the resources sector. He accused the government of dawdling on a proposal to use the Maret Islands as a gas processing hub. Do not worry about the environment, do not worry about Aboriginal heritage, do not worry about native title and do not worry about the other proponents who want to establish liquefied natural gas projects in the west Kimberley. The SPEAKER : This minister seems to excite the opposition more than other ministers. I call to order the member for South Perth and the member for Roe. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Do not worry about the environment, do not worry about heritage, do not worry about the fact that there is exclusive possession native title land in the west Kimberley, just grant the approvals as soon as anyone asks! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Roe and the member for Avon to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Apparently, the new policy of the opposition is for there to be ad hoc development of liquefied natural gas processing plants up and down the west Kimberley coast. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
I was surprised at yet another example of inexperience and immaturity from the Leader of the Opposition when he made a comment about the resources sector. He accused the government of dawdling on a proposal to use the Maret Islands as a gas processing hub. Do not worry about the environment, do not worry about Aboriginal heritage, do not worry about native title and do not worry about the other proponents who want to establish liquefied natural gas projects in the west Kimberley. The SPEAKER : This minister seems to excite the opposition more than other ministers. I call to order the member for South Perth and the member for Roe. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Do not worry about the environment, do not worry about heritage, do not worry about the fact that there is exclusive possession native title land in the west Kimberley, just grant the approvals as soon as anyone asks! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Roe and the member for Avon to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Apparently, the new policy of the opposition is for there to be ad hoc development of liquefied natural gas processing plants up and down the west Kimberley coast. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
The SPEAKER : This minister seems to excite the opposition more than other ministers. I call to order the member for South Perth and the member for Roe. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Do not worry about the environment, do not worry about heritage, do not worry about the fact that there is exclusive possession native title land in the west Kimberley, just grant the approvals as soon as anyone asks! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Roe and the member for Avon to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Apparently, the new policy of the opposition is for there to be ad hoc development of liquefied natural gas processing plants up and down the west Kimberley coast. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Do not worry about the environment, do not worry about heritage, do not worry about the fact that there is exclusive possession native title land in the west Kimberley, just grant the approvals as soon as anyone asks! Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Roe and the member for Avon to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Apparently, the new policy of the opposition is for there to be ad hoc development of liquefied natural gas processing plants up and down the west Kimberley coast. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Roe and the member for Avon to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Apparently, the new policy of the opposition is for there to be ad hoc development of liquefied natural gas processing plants up and down the west Kimberley coast. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Roe and the member for Avon to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : Apparently, the new policy of the opposition is for there to be ad hoc development of liquefied natural gas processing plants up and down the west Kimberley coast. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : Apparently, the new policy of the opposition is for there to be ad hoc development of liquefied natural gas processing plants up and down the west Kimberley coast. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Roe to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : The state government and the commonwealth government have a very clear preference for a single LNG processing hub in the west Kimberley. We believe that that is the best way to meet commercial and technical requirements. It is also the best way to meet environmental, Indigenous heritage and Indigenous land ownership requirements. LNG processing in the west Kimberley will go ahead only with the fully informed consent of the traditional owners and with their substantial economic participation in the developments. It appears that the Leader of the Opposition wants to be, or is, wilfully ignorant of these serious sensitivities with development in the west Kimberley. He has obviously signed up for ad hoc development all along the Kimberley coast. He seems unaware of the fact that this sort of development requires not only state approvals, but also commonwealth approvals. We have an excellent process that involves best practice coordination within the state government and best practice partnership with the commonwealth government to get the proper reconciliation of all of these issues. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
The SPEAKER : I call the Leader of the Opposition and the member for Capel to order. Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
Mr E.S. RIPPER : The government has a good, positive working relationship with Inpex. We were well aware, well in advance, that Inpex was going to make this announcement with the Northern Territory. It is Inpex’s right—indeed, it is probably its commercial obligation—to investigate alternative sites for its project. That is a matter of commercial prudence. However, I am confident that the west Kimberley will prove to be the best commercial and technical solution, as well as the best place to get the proper balance between the need for development and all of those environmental, heritage and native title sensitivities. It is worthwhile noting that there is strong support for LNG processing in the west Kimberley from traditional owners, because traditional owners in the west Kimberley are among the poorest people in the entire community of Western Australia. They support that development. The government’s approach in working with them is likely to secure what we want, which is LNG processing in the west Kimberley, and what they want, which is a better standard of living, better employment opportunities and better business opportunities. The bull-at-a-gate, wet-behind-the-ears approach of the Leader of the Opposition is not likely to secure development, environmental protection or advancement for traditional owners in the west Kimberley. He should realise that commonwealth approvals would also be required for the project to proceed in the Northern Territory. I doubt that that will happen because I am confident about the advantages of the west Kimberley. I am also confident about the coordination of partnership processes between the state government and the commonwealth government for making a decision on this issue. The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
The SPEAKER : I call the member for Kalgoorlie to order for the first time and suggest that when he leaves he take his phone with him.
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