❓ Hon Amanda Dorn questions the Minister for the Environment regarding the EPA's recommendation to approve Bennett Resources' Valhalla fracking project, raising concerns about oversight mechanisms, financial capacity, and past misconduct. The Minister responds that the matter is under appeal and subject to Commonwealth assessment, precluding further comment.

Environmental Protection Authority—Bennett Resources14.Hon Amanda Dornto theMinister for the Environment:I refer to the Environmental Protection Authority's recommendation to approve Bennett Resources' Valhalla fracking project in the Kimberley.(1) What oversight mechanisms exist when the EPA recommends approval, and federal independent experts found the proponent's environmental assessment "limited and disjointed" with "largely unsupported" conclusions?(2) What oversight mechanisms exist to assess the proponent's financial capacity to meet environmental and rehabilitation obligations, given the annual report records cash reserves of $5.7 million?(3) Is the minister aware that the Australian Securities and Investments Commission fined the proponent $39,960 in January 2023 for false environmental claims about this project, and what weight will the minister give to this when considering the EPA's recommendation?

Hon Matthew Swinbourn replied:I thank the member for some notice of the question.(1)–(3) The Environmental Protection Authority's report was subject to a three-week public appeal period, which closed on 10 February 2026. The Appeals Convenor is currently investigating this matter and will deliver a report to me at the conclusion of this process. Separately, the proposal was determined to be a controlled action under theEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999(EPBC act) (EPBC 2024/10006) and is being assessed by the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. The Commonwealth assessment is ongoing and is independent to the EPA's assessment. Once the Appeals Convenor has completed the investigation, I will consider all relevant matters. As the appeal process is underway it would not be inappropriate for me to comment further at this time. Environmental Protection Authority—Bennett Resources