WA Govt: Browse LNG Precinct Legislation Introduced to Parliament

Legislation to ensure the Browse LNG Precinct is the only site for processing Browse Basin gas on the Kimberley coast was today introduced into State Parliament. The Bill also ensures the precinct is used solely for LNG production.

WA Premier and State Development Minister Colin Barnett said the Browse (Land) Agreement Bill 2012 would ratify an agreement signed by the State Government and the Kimberley Land Council on behalf of the Goolarabooloo Jabirr Jabirr joint native title claim group.

“This is the first time in this State’s history that Parliament has been asked to ratify an agreement reached between the State and indigenous West Australians,” Mr Barnett said.

“The Bill delivers on the Government’s commitments to limit the use of the precinct to gas processing only, to rehabilitate and remediate the land after the precinct is closed and to return the land to traditional owners at the end of the precinct life.

“Also, by limiting further LNG processing in the Kimberley, the Bill is consistent with the Joint Position Statement adopted by traditional owners and environmental groups in 2007.”

The Premier said the Browse Land Agreement covering the precinct, 60km north of Broome, was one of three agreements signed in June 2011 which constituted the most significant act of self-determination by an Aboriginal group in Australian history.

“Ratification of the agreement will be another important step towards securing benefits that will flow from multi-billion dollar investments in LNG processing,” he said.

“These benefits include new investment, employment and business opportunities for Broome, the Kimberley and WA. Importantly they will also provide unprecedented levels of economic independence for the traditional owners and other indigenous people across the Dampier Peninsula and the region.”

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