ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AUTHORITY — GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
328. Hon PETER COLLIER to
the minister representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum:
I refer to the Environmental
Protection Authority's announcement on 7 March 2019 to require 100 per
cent carbon offsets for projects that produce over 100 000 tonnes of carbon
dioxide equivalent emissions per annum.
(1) On what date did the minister
first become aware of the EPA's decision?
(2) Did the minister receive any
briefings from his department prior to the announcement?
(3) Did anyone
from industry raise any concerns with the minister regarding the EPA's
decision prior to the announcement by the EPA?
(4) Did the
minister consult with anyone in industry prior to the EPA's
announcement; and, if yes, with whom did the minister consult?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for the question.
The following information has been provided to me by the Minister for Mines and
Petroleum.
(1)–(4) The
EPA issued a guidance, which it has withdrawn, and has not, and cannot, make a decision
to require 100 per cent carbon offsets for projects that produce over 100 000
tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per annum.