Monique Ryan (Kooyong, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is for the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. The Santos Darwin LNG facility has been leaking massive amounts of methane for almost 20 years. Three federal bodies—NOPSEMA, CSIRO and the Clean Energy Regulator have known and done nothing. Under-reporting like this makes a mockery of the safeguard mechanism and of your claims about decreased emissions. Will you deny Santos any further approvals until it acts to rectify this longstanding act of environmental vandalism?

Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for her question and I share her concerns, but I can't share the premise of her question in relation to the safeguard reforms. The safeguard reforms have successfully delivered onsite emissions reductions equivalent to two-thirds of Australian domestic aviation in their first year of operation. That is no small thing. These were difficult reforms that were supported through the parliament, but they are working to reduce emissions in our 215 biggest emitters. With respect, that should not be discounted by the honourable member or anyone else. That sort of emissions reduction, achieved by this government, is reflected in the last quarter's figures, which show industrial emissions and stationary emissions coming down. That is a good thing. We on this side of the House thinks that's a good thing—not everyone agrees.

In relation to the particular incident, I am concerned to read about that. I have asked my department to ensure that the expert review of methane emission management which I commissioned—the government commissioned—led by the former chief scientist Dr Cathy Foley, examines the matters raised and ensures that they are considered in their deliberations. I will update the honourable member and the House when I've received the report from the former chief scientist.