- McGowan Government announces panel for fracking inquiry
- Independent experts will use credible science to assess risk
The McGowan Government has announced the appointment of four eminent Australian scientists to the Independent Scientific Panel Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracture Stimulation.
The panellists' expertise ranges from geophysics and geology to environmental chemistry and monitoring and the socio-economic impacts of agricultural change.
They are hydrogeologist Dr Philip Commander; regional development, agriculture and environment expert Professor Fiona M. Haslam McKenzie; human health and toxicology expert Dr Jackie Wright; and Dr Michael Clennell, a research leader in petrophysics, geomechanics and structural geology.
The inquiry, to be chaired by Dr Tom Hatton, an esteemed long-term science leader, will hold public meetings in Perth and the Mid-West and Kimberley regions, with opportunities for public submissions.
The McGowan Government last month implemented its ban on fracking for existing and future petroleum titles in the Perth metropolitan, South-West and Peel regions.
A moratorium was also placed on the use of fracking throughout the rest of Western Australia.
Comments attributed to Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:
"The McGowan Government recognises the need to understand the risks associated with extracting petroleum products using fracking and to protect the State's environment from those risks.
"The level of community concern about fracking needs to be met with a high level of independent scientific rigour, which is why these four experienced and respected experts have been appointed.
"The appointment of a scientific panel of this calibre provides certainty to the community that the risks associated with unconventional oil and gas will be rigorously assessed and that the regulatory means to identify and minimise those risks will be pursued."
Minister's office - 6552 5800
