Thursday, 9 March 2023

Oil and gas exploration

Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) (12:13): (76) My question is to the environment minister, Minister Stitt. We understand that in order to go ahead with their enterprise gas drilling project near the Twelve Apostles, Beach Energy needs to submit an environment plan to the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Regulations 2021. We understand that this environment plan has not yet been submitted. Can you please let the house know why this is the case?

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep, Minister for Environment) (12:14): I thank Dr Mansfield for her question. This is actually a matter for the Minister for Energy and Resources in the other place, who I do actually represent in the Council. What I can advise is that I understand the Beach Energy project is still going through the required approvals, including an environmental plan, but I am very happy to forward your specific question to Minister D’Ambrosio for a response in accordance with the standing orders.

Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) (12:14): I thank the minister representing the minister for resources for their answer. My supplementary question is: in the past the process around how gas-drilling projects are approved in Victoria has been very opaque, with very little community consultation, unclear processes for how decisions are made and environment plans that have just been tick-box exercises. Will the minister guarantee that proper community consultation will happen before this project proceeds further?

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep, Minister for Environment) (12:15): Similarly, Dr Mansfield, I will refer your supplementary question to the relevant minister for a written response.