Camden Coal Seam Gas Extraction



About this Item
SpeakersBuckingham The Hon Jeremy; Gay The Hon Duncan
BusinessQuestions Without Notice, QWN



CAMDEN COAL SEAM GAS EXTRACTION
Page: 883
    The Hon. JEREMY BUCKINGHAM: My question without notice is directed to the Minister for Roads and Ports, representing the Minister for Resources and Energy. Is the Minister aware that AGL has acknowledged that it has conducted no groundwater monitoring since the Camden coal seam gas project commenced operations in 2002? Given the considerable concern about the effects of coal seam gas extraction on groundwater, will the Government consider suspending or cancelling AGL's petroleum production licence for the Camden gas project? If not, what action will the Government take to ensure AGL's operations are not poisoning the water?

    The Hon. DUNCAN GAY: This question asks for great detail. I am not sure whether it is great detail and accuracy because sometimes the two do not go together when The Greens ask a question.

    The Hon. Jeremy Buckingham: You should know.

    The Hon. DUNCAN GAY: This is a question for another Minister. It is also a question that is contemporary. The member says I should know. Unlike The Greens, I will not say something just because it comes into my head. This is a question seeking detail that deserves to go to the Minister. I will treat it appropriately and send it to the Minister—I suspect it is the Minister for Planning—for a detailed response. If it is not the Minister for Planning I will refer it to the appropriate Minister.