The Australian Greens have called on Federal Minister Martin Ferguson to take a ‘step back’ from his prevailing efforts to locate a LNG hub on WA’s Kimberley Coast.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on the Kimberley said today that the Federal Government shared the blame for a compromised negotiations process with the area’s Traditional Owners.

“Resources Minister Martin Ferguson has shown an unabashed commitment to delivering a gas hub on the Kimberley coast, irrespective of the fact that more suitable locations exist,” said Senator Siewert.

Australian Greens spokesperson on the Kimberley, Senator Rachel Siewert, says today’s Supreme Court ruling must lead to a complete review of the development of an LNG hub at James Price Point.

“The companies now have the perfect opportunity to reconsider the location of the Hub and move it away from James Price Point,” Senator Siewert said today.

“The state and Federal Governments must also seriously reconsider their approach to the future of this project.

“Today’s decision emphasises the need to find an alternative site for the LNG Hub.

Woodside should move their proposed LNG hub from James Price Point, despite the pleas of WA Premier Colin Barnett, the Australian Greens said today.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on the Kimberley said relocating the site did not mean that the area’s Traditional Owners needed to miss out on important community investment.

A report released by The Australia Institute report has shown that community concerns about the social and economic impact around the James Price Point development are justified, the Australian Greens said today.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on the Kimberley said today that The Australia Institute’s report -  Mining the truth: The rhetoric and reality of the commodities boom highlights why West Australians are right to wonder about the expansion of the sector into areas such as the Kimberley.

Question No. 692

Senator Ludlam asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, in writing, on 15 June 2011:
In regard to an explosive event conducted by Holcim Australia at their quarry on the Burrup Peninsula on the afternoon of 1 April 2011:

The Federal Government should ignore the mining industry’s predictable negativity ahead of the upcoming announcement on the heritage listing of the Kimberley, the Australian Greens said today.

“These are last minute, panicked comments being made by an industry intent on turning the Kimberley into a mining pit with as little impediments as possible,” Senator Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson for the Kimberley & Northern Australia said today.

"There are things about growing up in a small town that you can't necessarily quantify". Hollywood is a long way from Broome, but when US actor Brandon Routh said this I felt that, in many ways, it summed up why some companies and politicians in the two major parties find it hard to understand why feelings are running so high in the community in regards to the James Price Point gas hub development.