West Australian Environment Minister Bill Marmion should stand aside until a report into Woodside Petroleum’s proposed $30 billion Kimberley gas hub is resolved, the state opposition says.
The much-anticipated Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) report – which will recommend how the controversial development should proceed, or not – was due to be delivered on Friday, but was delayed by Mr Marmion on Thursday over questions surrounding its legality.
EPA chairman Paul Vogel said on Monday four of the body’s five board members had been stood aside from the gas hub decision due to conflicts of interest, leaving him to make the final call by himself, a process the opposition says may have been illegal.
Mr Marmion said he wanted to delay publication of the report until he had sought legal advice.
“This proposal is extremely complex and I want to ensure due process has been followed at all levels,” Mr Marmion said in his statement on Thursday.
But on Friday, opposition environment spokeswoman Sally Talbot said the minister’s action was too late, and that he should have stepped in four months ago to ensure the correct process had been followed.
“This minister is playing russian roulette with the future of the state,” Dr Talbot said in a statement released on Friday.
“Trust in his judgment has now completely evaporated.
“He must stand aside until this mess is sorted out, and if he refuses to step aside the premier must insist.”
Dr Talbot said Mr Marmion’s announced delay came just minutes after he had refused to answer parliamentary questions about the legality of the EPA meetings leading to the report.
“I asked the minister how the EPA could meet with only one member in attendance when the act says the EPA quorum is a minimum of three,” Dr Talbot said.
She said until earlier this week, Mr Marmion had assured parliament the meetings were legal.
“Now it seems he was not giving us the full story,” Dr Talbot said.
A spokeswoman from Mr Marmion’s office said he “would not be commenting while he sought legal advice”.
Gas hub opponents and conservationists have welcomed the delay, saying due process should be followed in any decision affecting the environmentally and culturally sensitive project.
Even if the EPA gives the green light, the Woodside-led joint venture will need approvals from Mr Marmion and federal Environment Minister Tony Burke.
Woodside has also delayed its final investment decision on the project until the first half of 2013.
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