Varanus a regulatory disaster waiting to happen – but they are not alone

“The unfortunate reality is that we continue to see regulatory administration diminished in this state based on the desires of the industry to minimise the time used to comply with a strong regulatory regime” said Greens spokesperson on Mining and Petroleum.

The report shows and clearly calls for a better robust regulatory oversight regime in the oil and gas industry.

Now there will be an attempt for political blame, but this incident should not of happened on anybody’s watch.

The resource industry have consistently called for less regulatory supervision by the relevant departments and all governments have slowly removed regulatory oversight, even today.

The report identifies that the co-regulatory regime progressively introduced in Australian waters since 1992 places the onus on operators to manage hazards.

The report identifies that regulatory competence and clarity covering all relevant offshore operations should be a fundamental requirement of Governments.

“Clearly the rusting pipes should have been more regularly inspected, by in my view the States department, but  a greater issue in my mind should have been the design component that allowed for an incident if it occurred to expand beyond its immediate boundary.”

The minister has indicated that the government has initiated a review of the offence and penalty regimes in all petroleum and mining legislation, this will enable greater penalties being applied which most of these industries’ could absorb without batting an eyelid.

“What is required is greater state and federal inspection and regulation, not less”, said Mr Chapple

Ministerial Statement below:

For more information please contact Robin Chapple on 0409 379 263 or 9486 8255

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