APACHE Energy has used Federal Court action to block disclosure and use of certain State information by the joint State-Federal inquiry into last year’s Varanus Island gas pipeline explosion.
Mines and Petroleum Minister Norman Moore says that he is disappointed the Federal Court had upheld an application to prevent the expert panel from using this information held by the State.
Moorse says that by blocking access to vital information related to the incident, Apache Energy has limited the scope of the inquiry’s final report to make recommendations on how to improve the system.
In its decision, the court acknowledged that it was highly desirable to achieve safety, security and reliability in relation to gas and petroleum pipelines and that the State’s action in releasing information was a convenient and sensible way to brief the panel.
The Minister said he would seek further advice on the implications of the ruling.
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