Appendix 3

Recommendations from the Interim Report

Recommendation 

The committee recommends that the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources immediately instigate a review of the Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program applicants' perceived conflicts of interests with the Liberal Party, the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, and the Minister for Resources and Water.

Recommendation 

The committee recommends that the Australian Government explore options to institute higher standards of transparency and accountability in the oil and gas industry, including regular financial reporting obligations.

Recommendation 

The committee recommends that, if the Industry Research and Development (Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program) Instrument 2021 proceeds, the Australian Government require repayment of any grant funding if grant recipients discover and produce commercial quantities of shale gas in the Beetaloo.

Recommendation 

The committee recommends, consistent with the Pepper Inquiry, that the Australian and Northern Territory Governments, in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders and First Nations people, review the consultation processes used to obtain Free, Prior and Informed Consent from Traditional Owners and Native Title holders in relation to activity proposals on Country, with specific consideration of the need to conduct on Country meetings and to provide translators.

Recommendation 

The committee recommends that the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 be amended to include a water trigger for onshore shale gas developments, to ensure that the Pepper Inquiry recommendations will be implemented in full, as promised.

Recommendation 

The committee recommends that the Australian Government expedite its negotiations with the Northern Territory Government for a bilateral emissions reduction agreement, with a view to implementing the Pepper Inquiry recommendation to ensure no net increase in Australia's lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions which must be borne by the shale gas industry in the Beetaloo.

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Past Public Hearings

10 Oct 2022: Canberra