Mr DUNHAM - 2004-08-17
A power plant is being built at Wickham Point for the exclusive use of ConocoPhillips almost adjacent to the Channel Island Power Station. This power plant will be fuelled by Bayu-Undan gas, at about one-eighth the price paid by Territorians for our gas supply. Will you admit to Territorians that the opportunity for cheaper domestic power from Bayu-Undan has been lost?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am happy to take this question; however, it should go to the Minister for Essential Services.
Mr Dunham: It is your statement.
Ms MARTIN: Well, we should not be having questions that relate specific to the statement that is before the House. I am happy to answer it, though.
As the statement clearly says, we have commitments to take gas from Central Australia to 2009 to 2011. I put on the record the foresight of the then government in the early to mid-1980s, to actually put in place using gas instead of fuel oil for supply of gas to Darwin - a really important initiative.
We knew and accepted that that type of infrastructure was not going to be cheap. We have clean gas, though it is not the cheapest in Australia. However, we do not have the most expensive, when it comes to energy.
As the statement indicates, the task force, which includes the CEO and the Chair of Power and Water, is looking at all options for our future gas supplies …
Mr Dunham: No. You have taken Bayu-Undan off that option list.
Ms MARTIN: Is looking at all options for our future gas supplies post-2009 to 2011.
Mr Dunham: That is gone. The opportunity has gone.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, in relation to the constant interjections from the member for Drysdale: you asked the question and I am answering it. Okay?
Mr Dunham: No, you are not. What about Bayu-Undan gas?
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Yes, it is becoming irritating. Member for Drysdale, allow the Chief Minister some silence.
Ms MARTIN: The opportunity for gas from the Timor Sea is one that we are pursuing vigorously. It is important for our future. There are many options on where we get that gas. At this stage, I would not count out any of those options. If you look at what I said in the statement, you can go through Bayu-Undan, Blacktip, Petrel, Tern, Abadi, Sunrise - the options are there and the work is being done, and joint venturers or those who own leases in the Timor Sea are being told very clearly by this government that domestic gas has to be part of how they develop their fields.
Mr Dunham: What about Bayu-Undan?
Ms MARTIN: The opposition can say: ‘What about Bayu-Undan?’ All those fields are still on the table, gas from them is still on the table.
Mr Dunham: No, they are not; not according to Power and Water.
Ms MARTIN: Let me say we are pursuing the opportunities. We have a supply of gas that we are committed to, to 2009 to 2011. I have great confidence in the task force’s expertise and commitment, that we are going to have a competitively priced gas supply for the future.
Mr Dunham: They are building their own power station.
Ms MARTIN: It is all very well for the member for Drysdale to sit here and yell, but it does not really make a constructive contribution.
Mr Dunham: No answer. That was not an answer. They are building their own power station.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale, I have been very tolerant with you. Settle down.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I am happy to take this question; however, it should go to the Minister for Essential Services.
Mr Dunham: It is your statement.
Ms MARTIN: Well, we should not be having questions that relate specific to the statement that is before the House. I am happy to answer it, though.
As the statement clearly says, we have commitments to take gas from Central Australia to 2009 to 2011. I put on the record the foresight of the then government in the early to mid-1980s, to actually put in place using gas instead of fuel oil for supply of gas to Darwin - a really important initiative.
We knew and accepted that that type of infrastructure was not going to be cheap. We have clean gas, though it is not the cheapest in Australia. However, we do not have the most expensive, when it comes to energy.
As the statement indicates, the task force, which includes the CEO and the Chair of Power and Water, is looking at all options for our future gas supplies …
Mr Dunham: No. You have taken Bayu-Undan off that option list.
Ms MARTIN: Is looking at all options for our future gas supplies post-2009 to 2011.
Mr Dunham: That is gone. The opportunity has gone.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, in relation to the constant interjections from the member for Drysdale: you asked the question and I am answering it. Okay?
Mr Dunham: No, you are not. What about Bayu-Undan gas?
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: Yes, it is becoming irritating. Member for Drysdale, allow the Chief Minister some silence.
Ms MARTIN: The opportunity for gas from the Timor Sea is one that we are pursuing vigorously. It is important for our future. There are many options on where we get that gas. At this stage, I would not count out any of those options. If you look at what I said in the statement, you can go through Bayu-Undan, Blacktip, Petrel, Tern, Abadi, Sunrise - the options are there and the work is being done, and joint venturers or those who own leases in the Timor Sea are being told very clearly by this government that domestic gas has to be part of how they develop their fields.
Mr Dunham: What about Bayu-Undan?
Ms MARTIN: The opposition can say: ‘What about Bayu-Undan?’ All those fields are still on the table, gas from them is still on the table.
Mr Dunham: No, they are not; not according to Power and Water.
Ms MARTIN: Let me say we are pursuing the opportunities. We have a supply of gas that we are committed to, to 2009 to 2011. I have great confidence in the task force’s expertise and commitment, that we are going to have a competitively priced gas supply for the future.
Mr Dunham: They are building their own power station.
Ms MARTIN: It is all very well for the member for Drysdale to sit here and yell, but it does not really make a constructive contribution.
Mr Dunham: No answer. That was not an answer. They are building their own power station.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Drysdale, I have been very tolerant with you. Settle down.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016