UNFUNDED DRILLING PROPOSALS

In reply to Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (1 July 2009).

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business): As part of the PACE Initiative, the Department of Primary Industries and Resources (PIRSA) maintains regular contact with all companies that conduct exploration drilling through Theme 2 Drilling Collaborations between PIRSA and Industry.

PIRSA does not, however monitor or track the progress of unsuccessful proposals.

There have been five rounds of drilling collaborations between 2004 and 2009 with a total of 335 drilling proposals submitted. 168 proposals were successful in receiving funding while 167 were unsuccessful.

The 167 projects that did not receive funding are comprised not only of proposals that did not meet the strict technical and scientific scrutiny but proposals that may have been resubmitted over successive rounds or initially unsuccessful but later received funding.

To determine the information requested by Mr Pederick direct contact with each company would be required relying on the availability of company representatives, timely responses and a willingness to provide potentially confidential information that companies are under no obligation to provide.

I have informed PIRSA and its Minerals and Energy Resources Division of the question and PIRSA will endeavour to collect this information in the future.