Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the Senator for her question. The government is undertaking a strategic assessment of the James Price Point precinct gas hub under the national environment law or the EPBC Act. Minister Burke will not be in a position to make a final decision on the proposal until he is satisfied that all potential environment, heritage and Indigenous impacts have been fully assessed. Minister Burke is aware that many people have strong views on this proposal. Minister Burke, as I said, will need to consider all of these issues, but he will not be in a position to make a decision until all matters required by the terms of the strategic assessment have been appropriately investigated.

During Minister Burke’s press conference on 6 February last year, Minister Burke emphasised that the Western Australian state election deadlines are irrelevant to his decision. What is relevant is whether the principles and minimum standards of the strategic assessment have been met. The final strategic assessment documentation was received by the government on 14 December 2012. The environment department is verifying whether the requirements of the strategic assessment have been met. If necessary, further information will be sought. National environment law does not set out time lines for decision making on strategic assessments.

Minister Burke is also aware that on 19 November 2012 the Western Australian environment minister provided state approval for the state developments proposed at Browse liquefied natural gas precinct at James Price Point. Minister Burke is also aware that on 18 December last year the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority declared Woodside’s proposal to build and operate the foundation Browse LNG project to be a derived proposal— (Time expired)