GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS —
NORTH WEST SHELF PROJECT
1315. Hon TIM CLIFFORD to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the North West Gas
Development (Woodside) Agreement Amendment Bill 2019.
(1) Will the
minister please explain how extending the state agreement over the North West
Shelf gas project by 25 years to December
2059 is compatible with its greenhouse gas policy of net zero emissions by
2050?
(2) How will the
government ensure that the North West Shelf project will meet the requirements
of net zero emissions by 2050?
(3) What action will the state government take if the
North West Shelf project fails to meet the net zero emissions
requirements stated in its greenhouse gas policy?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(3) The
proposal to extend the life of the North West Shelf LNG plant is being assessed
by the Environmental Protection Authority. The EPA's assessment will
consider the proponent's greenhouse gas management plan as required
under the environmental scoping document. When the EPA has completed its
assessment, I will consider the particular characteristics of the project and
the EPA's advice and recommendations. In accordance with the government's
greenhouse gas emissions policy for major projects, I may then consider whether
it is appropriate to apply a condition that sets out the requirements for a plan
detailing the proponent's contribution towards achieving the government's
aspiration of net zero emissions by 2050. Given the proposal has not been
approved, the form and nature of conditions have not yet been determined.