QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Ms MADELEINE KING (Brand—Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia) (14:59): I thank the member for her question. I refer to that question. I think the member is referring to the voluntary administration of the Cliff Head project through Triangle Energy.

We are monitoring that situation and working with Cor Cordis, the administrators of Pilot Energy, which is that company. On 17 July, NOPSEMA found general direction 2118 and 1947 to be breached, and NOPSEMA is exercising its powers under the relevant act to undertake actions where the breach directions to maintain critical safety and environment outcomes where required.

What I want to be really clear about is that the Cliff Head facility is currently safe. It is not a crude production facility. The Australian government is engaging with NOPSEMA and other parties in relation to the ongoing regulation and management of safety and environmental risks.

There are no immediate risks in that regard. The offshore facilities are hydrocarbon free. They stopped production just over two years ago.

The wells have been shut in and secured, and they are remotely monitored. As to the cost of these things, I want to make it really clear that taxpayers will not be left to foot the bill if companies do not do the right thing in respect of this particular project but also—I'm sorry I can't see the member to address her question at the moment, because the Leader of the Nationals in the House of Representatives is in the way!

What I want to make clear is insolvency does not excuse title holders from decommissioning responsibilities, and the government is considering all enforcement options to hold responsible title holders and related parties, very importantly, accountable. The Australian taxpayer will not bear any financial responsibility for decommissioning offshore oil and gas projects where title holders have failed to provision and plan for these activities, as they are required to do so by law.

Before we came into government, the Labor Party in opposition agreed with the government of the time to implement legislation to make sure that there was a trailing liability for offshore oil and gas. That is a jurisdiction that the Commonwealth has in this regard, and that has been implemented. The government will continue to pursue all available mechanisms under the law to hold responsible title holders accountable for those offshore oil and gas projects.

We will make sure they are safe for any people that are associated with them. Worker safety is of vital importance. The environmental side of this is very important, but this particular project is safe.

And, really importantly, the taxpayer will not fit the bill, and the industry as a whole will bear the burden of the projects that they have left.