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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-02-19 Daily Xml
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OLYMPIC DAM

The Hon. M. PARNELL (15:14): I have a supplementary question arising from the answer. If the minister has said that the document is already at the printers, is it not the case that the steps he has referred to in relation to proof reading, checking and the design are completed? If that is the case, why is it not possible for an online version to be made available now?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business) (15:15): I am sure that, if that had happened, the Hon. Mark Parnell would be railing up in this parliament and contacting the media, telling us all how it was an incomplete document and how it had been rushed.

I am sure the Hon. Mark Parnell will want to ensure that, when the EIS is released by BHP, it is comprehensive. It is up to BHP to ensure that the document it releases (and I am sure it would not want criticism from Mr Parnell or others) has been adequately checked. It is a matter for BHP. All this great interest from Mr Parnell began from an aside I made in reply to a question he asked the other day about Point Lowly when I said that part of it would be addressed in the EIS process. The release of the document is essentially a matter for BHP Billiton. I hope I have been assisting the parliament in providing information as it is known to me as to how BHP intends to proceed.

Given the range of issues—it is not about just the mine or township issues in Roxby Downs but also about the water, power and transport issues and other matters—it is inevitably a huge document. That document has to be brought together. Before it has been signed off, the EIS must address all the points raised in the original requirement, but that is now subject to the open public process where people will put their views on the EIS, and then it will go for more detailed assessment by the government to ensure that all those terms of reference, which take up over 110 pages—those requirements are on the website and are publicly listed—are addressed.

People will be able to make up their own mind. I am sure that as soon as BHP is ready it will release the report. It has been made clear that BHP is keen to have the process for the approval of Olympic Dam proceed over the course of this year, and we will attempt to facilitate that. It is not our intention to rush it, as I am sure Mr Parnell would be the first person in this parliament to criticise us if that were the case.

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