INDEPENDENT SCIENTIFIC PANEL
INQUIRY INTOHYDRAULIC FRACTURE STIMULATION IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA — VETO
RIGHTS
1289. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the minister representing the
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs:
I refer to the Independent
Scientific Panel Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracture Stimulation in Western Australia.
(1) Will the
government legislate to give veto rights to native title holders and private
landholders prior to any approvals for fracking?
(2) Will the veto
apply to exploration fracks or only production?
(3) Can the minister confirm that the right of veto
for Aboriginal people will rest with the native title–prescribed
body corporate?
(4) Can the
minister outline how the veto right will be applied for native title claims?
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON
replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) Our policy is
clear: fracking production will be allowed only with the agreement of the
landowner. Traditional owners will have the right to say no, or yes, to any
fracking production on their land if that land is on existing petroleum titles.
This can be achieved through a number of legislative mechanisms. We have asked
the implementation group to consider the options and report back to us.
(2) Traditional
owner agreement in relation
to fracking being on traditional lands will apply to production activities.
Exploration activity is different from production. It is low impact and
temporary in nature. Exploration data enables landowners to make informed
decisions about potential developments.
(3) Where native
title has been recognised, the state government will refer to the provisions of
the Native Title Act 1993 and the role of prescribed bodies corporate.
(4) Please refer
to the response to part (1) of this question.