The Australian Greens have expressed concern that new documents released by the State and Federal governments for the proposed Browse Basin gas hub in the Kimberley show it will have an even heavier greenhouse gas footprint than first estimated.

“We were already alarmed by WA Department of State Development figures released earlier this year showing that the project could emit up to 32 million tonnes per annum of greenhouse gases, equivalent to all of New Zealand’s national emissions,” Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said.

Greens Leader Bob Brown has called on the state and federal governments to provide an objective analysis of sites outside the Kimberley for a proposed gas hub for the Browse Basin gas deposits.

"The state government has presented an extensive analysis of sites within the Kimberley but not sites where industrialisation has already occurred.

The Australian Greens say the Federal Government cannot absolve itself of responsibility to meet the terms of reference in a joint assessment agreement with the WA Government regards the siting of a controversial proposed gas processing hub in the Kimberley.

Senator LUDLAM (Western Australia) (2:16 PM) -My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.

The federal Minister for Resources, Martin Ferguson effectively directed Woodside to build its giant gas processing factory at James Price Point in the Kimberley as a retention lease condition, Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown told the Senate this afternoon. 

"The onshore Woodside gas hub is becoming matter of growing national outrage," said Senator Brown.

Senator Brown brandished Woodside's lease conditions, signed off by Minister Ferguson and the Western Australian Government, the first condition being that:

Woodside Energy Ltd (Question No. 12) Senator Siewert asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 28 September 2010:

The Australian Greens are urging the Federal Government and Resources Minister Martin Ferguson to grant Nexus Energy an exemption from oil exploration licence requirements which could lead to exploratory drilling off the Perth and Rottnest Island coast.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Greens Marine Spokesperson, said today that the sight of an oil rig just 10km from the Perth coast would fill residents with dread.

"It defies logic that we're even having this discussion. It's a no-brainer," Senator Siewert said today.

Australian Greens Marine Spokesperson, Senator Rachel Siewert, has today reiterated calls for the immediate release of a Commission of Inquiry report into the 2009 Montara oil spill in the Timor Sea.

“It is unacceptable that 12 months after the spill was contained, we still haven’t seen the report, there has been no action taken against those responsible for the spill and no tightening of the regulation of our oil and gas industry,” Senator Siewert said today.