EXPLORATION IN THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN BIGHT

JOEL FITZGIBBON MP.
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4 years ago
EXPLORATION IN THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN BIGHT
JOEL FITZGIBBON MP
Labor welcomes the Chief Scientist’s independent audit of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) by Dr Alan Finkel AO, who has concluded that NOPSEMA is applying stringent environmental regulation in considering applications for oil exploration in the Great Australian Bight.

The report was released yesterday and found:
  • NOPSEMA is a highly skilled, professional and competent regulator;
  • NOPSEMA has appropriate processes and procedures in place to meets its regulatory requirements under the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas (Environment) Regulations 2009;
  • NOPSEMA has appropriate processes and procedures in place to assess environment plans against relevant, sufficient and complete scientific and technical information.
“The audit delivers additional reassurance that NOPSEMA is well-equipped to determine whether exploration in the Great Australian Bight can progress without damage to our marine environment. That’s a win for the Australian economy and local jobs,” Joel Fitzgibbon said.
Shadow Minister for the Environment, Terri Butler said the maintenance of the strongest environmental safeguards is important to maintaining public confidence in the oil and gas sector.

The Chief Scientist also identified opportunities for NOPSEMA, industry and government to further enhance confidence in our environmental approvals processes and to further build the public’s understanding of the offshore oil and gas regulatory regime. This vindicates Labor’s decision not to deny the Senate the opportunity to hold an inquiry into the regulation of seismic testing.
Environment