Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing both the Minister for Climate Change and Energy and the Minister for Resources, Minister Ayres. Methane is a potent heat-trapping gas which is turbocharging climate-driven natural disasters. Today it was revealed that Santos's Darwin LNG gas facility has been leaking toxic methane for 19 years. FOI documents gained by the Environment Centre NT show that federal agencies, including the Clean Energy Regulator, CSIRO and NOPSEMA, knew about the methane leak but have taken no action nor advised the public. When were any of the responsible ministers for those agencies informed about this leak, and why has no federal action been taken to repair or replace those leaking storage tanks despite three federal agencies knowing about the leaks?

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thanks, Senator Waters. Firstly, your question moves across the various ministers who are engaged here, but I can say that the Minister for Resources and the government are concerned about the reports of methane leaking from this Darwin LNG facility that aired on the ABC this morning. It does largely seem to be a matter for the Northern Territory's EPA regulator, but the minister has asked her department—confusingly, also my department—to review those reports as part of their work with the expert panel on methane reporting.

The government have confidence in the relevant authorities, and we do understand that the facility has been the subject of several reviews and investigations by the operator and by the regulator—the Northern Territory EPA. We know that the tank is currently not in operation. The tank in question was subject to an engineering investigation in 2020 when approval was sought from Northern Territory WorkSafe to extend the life of the Darwin LNG facility. The appropriate regulatory approvals are in place. Importantly, it has an approved safety case. The methane emissions are reported under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme, and there is a monitoring program in place. The licence to recommence operations at the tank is up for renewal on 18 September. It's a matter really for Santos and the Northern Territory. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Waters, first supplementary?

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The offshore gas regulator, NOPSEMA, was advised of the leak prior to approving Santos's new offshore gas field in the Timor sea, the Barossa project, which will use this leaking facility. Will the government now revoke Santos's approval for this new gas field after 19 years of leaking methane?

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Firstly, in terms of the question you asked, you said that the tank will be used in relation to that project. The advice that I have—and I'll correct it if I'm not asserting this properly—is that the tank is currently not in operation. I would infer from that that it is not the case that it will be used in the context of that project, but I will, as I said, come back on that point if required.

In April 2025, NOPSEMA approved the commission, start up and operation of the Barossa Floating Production Storage and Offloading facility. In that decision NOPSEMA acknowledged the objections raised by the Environment Centre NT regarding the impacts and risks of the unplanned emissions, but NOPSEMA has no jurisdiction to regulate the Darwin LNG facility. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Waters, second supplementary?

Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The CSIRO has a history of financial agreements with gas corporations and a history of not disclosing those links. Were CSIRO's failures to publish their methane monitoring work at the site since April 2021 and to do anything to stop the leak because of their financial links to Santos?

Tim Ayres (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No. It's usually the role of some of the characters over there to impugn the independence of the CSIRO, and it's less usual for that to happen from you, Senator. On reflection, I don't think impugning the independence of the CSIRO is in the interests of that organisation. They were engaged some years ago to review third-party methodology for monitoring fugitive methane emissions at the Darwin export hub. As part of that project, the CSIRO did not undertake any direct monitoring at the site. That is the extent of their engagement with these issues.

I think it's important not to carelessly impugn the independence of that organisation. It's an important organisation for the country. Research and engagement in the energy sector, including the gas sector, actually are in the national interest.