Question On Notice No. 1057 asked in the Legislative Council on 20 October 2022 by Hon James Hayward
Question Directed to the: Minister for Regional Development representing the Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade
Parliament: 41 Session: 1
Question
I refer to the comments by Russian leader Vladimir Putin, that he may suspend all commodity supplies to western democracies, and I ask:
(a) what steps is the Minister taking to ensure Western Australia can supply commodities to fill the possible shortfall created by international events;
(b) has the Minister investigated the potential for the expansion of the phosphate industry in Western Australia to support local and global food security; and
(c) has the Minister investigated the potential for the state investment in water infrastructure for the expansion of agriculture in Western Australia to help address global food insecurity?
Answered on 22 November 2022
The Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation advises:
(a) Grain
Western Australian grain producers are facing a likely buoyant period of high prices. Whether farmers can capitalise on those high prices depends on growing and harvesting conditions in season 2023 and on the ability of the State's export infrastructure to cost-effectively move large volumes of grain into export positions.
The State Government has supported investment in the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre to identify and support a diversity of market opportunities for Western Australia's principal grains (wheat, feed and malt barley, and canola) and to develop novel food products based on Western Australian grains (e.g. oat rice, oat noodles). The Government has also supported decisions by CBH, the State’s main grain storage and handling business, to invest in upgrading the State's export grain infrastructure so that larger volumes of grain can be exported more rapidly.
Energy
The Government is focused on energy security through implementation of the WA Domestic Gas Policy, to ensure that WA LNG exporters reserve a portion of gas for the domestic market.
The Government is aware that most Australian LNG is committed under long-term contracts however there is some capacity for companies to meet this additional demand. The Government is committed to working with the sector to promote Western Australia as a “safe and reliable supplier of LNG to the world”.
Further, global uncertainty in traditional energy markets is providing the incentive for trade partners to accelerate renewable energy ambitions and work with ethical and reliable suppliers to form new energy partnerships. The Government has undertaken targeted actions to ensure Western Australia is strongly positioned to be a supplier of choice in a cleaner, more diverse, inclusive and responsible global economy.
(b) The Government is committed to sustaining growth in mining generally, including funding to support exploration activity and enhancing the State’s research and development capability. Western Australia does host mineral resources and exploration potential for phosphate associated with carbonatites (Cummins Range project) and marine sedimentary rocks (Dinner Hill deposit).
(c) Yes. The Government is investing in water infrastructure projects for agriculture across the State, including $37 million in Murray-Wellington, $25 million in the Gascoyne and $19 million in Southern Forests, with further investigations in the Mid West, Peel, Pilbara and the Wheatbelt underway. This investment will contribute to longer-term food security.