FED: Gorgon no threat to environment: Ferguson

AAP General News (Australia)
08-23-2009
FED: Gorgon no threat to environment: Ferguson

By Julian Drape

CANBERRA, Aug 23 AAP - There's "no way" the $50 billion Gorgon LNG project off the
West Australian coast poses any threat to the environment, federal Resources Minister
Martin Ferguson says.

But he also admits it's not really his place to make that call, with Environment Minister
Peter Garrett officially in charge of environmental approval.

The yet-to-be developed project - expected to create 6,000 jobs at its peak - will
underpin a major massive expansion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) production across Australia.

Gorgon partner ExxonMobil has already signed a $50 billion gas contract to supply Chinese
energy giant PetroChina over the next 20 years.

"There is no way the environment is at risk," Mr Ferguson told Network Ten on Sunday,
before quickly adding "the environmental considerations are not my considerations".

"It is an entirely separate process in the hands of the minister for the environment,
Peter Garrett," he said.

"He will make a decision in due course."

Mr Garrett has said he'll make his position public on the Barrow Island-based project this week.

The economic clout of the development has some fearing that the environmental examination
will be a whitewash.

But on Friday Mr Garrett denied that was the case.

"I am under no pressure whatsoever in relation to this project other than to do my
job as a regulator properly," he said.

A number of endangered species could be threatened by the development.

"Barrow Island has been dubbed `Australia's Ark' for its unique range of endangered
species, with 24 species and sub-species preserved on the island, many of who are extinct
or endangered on mainland Australia," Australian Greens senator Rachel Siewert said last
week.

Endemic species on the island include the spectacled hare-wallaby, the Barrow Island
golden bandicoot, the Barrow Island mouse and the Barrow Island burrowing bettong.

On Sunday, Mr Ferguson said the environment minister had been assessing the Gorgon
project at arms length for an "extended period".

"A hell of a lot of work has been done environmentally and from a development perspective
to get the project to this point," the resources minister said.

Mr Ferguson also denied Canberra's decision to grant a visa to exiled Uighur leader
Rebiya Kadeer, whom Beijing regards as a terrorist, would effect future trade deals with
China.

"In terms of our relationship with China it's business as usual.

"We are a resources and energy rich nation. China wants to do business with us."

AAP jcd/cdh

KEYWORD: GORGON FERGUSON

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