Mining proposals—Kimberley
19. Hon Dr Brian Walker to the Minister for Kimberley:
I draw the minister's attention to concerns raised by residents of Coconut Well and 12 Mile on the outskirts of Broome in relation to proposals to mine in close proximity to the primary water source for each of those communities and to further grant water rights to Outwest Resources, the mining company in question.
(1) What authority, if any, will the minister have in his new capacity as Minister for Kimberley to intervene in this or other similar matters?
(2) If he is not the minister responsible, does the final responsibility lie with:
(a) the Minister for Mines and Petroleum;
(b) the Minister for the Environment;
(c) the Minister for Water;
(d) the Minister for Tertiary and International Education, given that there could be potentially serious impacts to the operations of North Regional TAFE; or
(e) the Attorney General, given that the case currently sits before the Warden's Court?
(3) Will the government acknowledge that by adding an additional geographic ministry to an already muddled mix, there is the potential for ordinary Western Australians with concerns to be bounced from pillar to post for lack of a clear and unambiguous line of ministerial responsibility?
The President: I take this opportunity to remind the honourable member of standing order 105.
Hon Stephen Dawson replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of his very long question.
(1)–(3) As Minister for Kimberley, I will take a keen interest in all projects that take place in that region. However, the line ministers—the ministers with responsibility for various things—will still be responsible.
Hon Neil Thomson: What about the local member?
Hon Stephen Dawson: The member can ask his question later. I am answering the question that has been asked.
In this case, the Minister for Water is the lead minister for such a thing. It is fair to say that there has been some concern in the community, but the laws as they stand in Western Australia allow a proponent to put in an application for these types of things and that application has to be addressed. That is what will happen. In relation to my role moving forward, I will certainly be a dedicated voice in the cabinet for issues relating to the Kimberley. If someone has to seek environmental approval or water approval, they will of course have to go to the ministers who report under those acts.
