Environmental impactsPAUL TURTON: What are the environmental...

Environmental impacts

PAUL TURTON: What are the environmental risks from these exploration sites that you're aware of at this stage?

KEITH PITT: Well, once again, to get to the stage where there is actually exploration, the company or the proponent would need to put forward both a safety and environmental plan. That would need to be approved by NOPSEMA, which is the regulator for offshore oil and gas in this country, recognised as one of the world's best in terms of world leading practise. And it's been done safely right around the country for quite a long time. So offshore facilities have coexisted - and benefited, to be honest - local communities, providing jobs and other opportunities for many, many years. But once again, we need to make sure we make decisions in the national interest, that we continue to protect the marine environment, and we need a balanced approach.