Senator STERLE (Western Australia) (17:16): I listened intently to the contributions of my colleagues earlier and to the first contribution from the Greens senator Senator Cox. She said that she's representing her constituents in WA. Well, I have represented the constituents of WA for nearly 20 years. I am a member of a party that has 52 of the 59 seats in WA in the lower house, with the majority in the upper house, and the Greens have just one. I just want to get that on the record. So the Labor Party represents a hell of a lot. Senator Cox: That means nothing. Senator STERLE: Senator Cox—through you, Chair—I listened respectfully to your contribution. I did not interrupt you once. Have some manners. Here we are again. Another stunt and yet another day where we get fanciful ideas from the Greens political party. Senator Cox: My first point of order is that Senator Sterle should be addressing his comments through the chair. My second point of order is that I ask him to remove that comment about me. The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT ( Senator Allman-Payne ): Senator Sterle, it will assist the chamber if you withdraw. Senator STERLE: For you, Madam Acting Deputy President, oh, God almighty, yes, I withdraw. You've got a glass jaw. The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Sterle, please withdraw. Senator STERLE: I withdraw it. The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Sterle, please resume your seat. It's not assisting the chamber when there are additional comments made beyond what is asked. I'm not going to resume the debate until everybody does it in a respectful way. So, Senator Cox, Senator Sterle has withdrawn the second comment. Senator Sterle, please resume. Senator STERLE: The Greens claim to believe in transparency. Seriously, give me a break. Meanwhile, those opposite are always quick off the block when it comes to criticising, but, in reality, they're all show and no substance. Do you remember all those energy policies that that mob over there had for the nine years they were last in power? It was 22 at the last count, and they didn't land one. On their watch, 24 coal-fired power stations were scheduled to be closed and replaced with nothing. And who could forget the former Prime Minister's stunt when he walked into the House with a lump of coal? Then there is their latest fanciful stunt, the nuclear power plants scattered around the nation. Do you remember that one? You know how it goes: stunts to the left of us, stunts to the right. I mean, seriously! Let's not be distracted by the fanciful and the critical; let's get to the point. It's time for this chamber to do its job and focus on providing real solutions that address the very real problems facing Australians, both in the short and medium term and in the long term. In the short term, this government has acted to shore up electricity supply and stabilise prices. In the medium term, we have developed and adopted a strategy that will ensure gas supplies as the intermittent fuel source. Australian gas will also play an important role in the global energy transformation and in meeting our legislated climate goals. Remember them? And, in the long term, we are focused on transitioning our economy to be powered by renewables. We are doing all this while respecting the methodical approach that needs to be undertaken through the environmental approvals process. The approvals processes involved with this particular project commenced in late 2018 and are reaching their conclusion. That's six years ago. These are important processes that must not be thrown in the bin simply because the Greens political party are worried they may not get their own way. So let's focus on the facts. I quote: Should the Browse project go ahead, which would be subject to regulatory/environmental approvals: No drilling will occur on Scott Reef, in the North/South Scott Reef lagoons or the Scott Reef Channel. The proposed FPSOs (floating production storage and offloading facilities) would be located almost 8 km from the reef and nearly 30 km from the Sandy Islet nesting habitat. No physical contact (e.g. including discharges from drilling etc.) is predicted to occur with Scott Reef (above the 75 m contour). In fact, all proposed activities occur in waters more than 300 m deep. The North West Shelf has delivered trusted and reliable energy supply in WA for 40 years. I know that because back in 1982 I delivered the furniture to their first office. That's how long they've been up there. It is a major employer in and around Karratha and Dampier and has invested well over $300 million in social and community infrastructure in the region. This contribution is in addition to the corporate income tax paid at 30 per cent on taxable profits. This is on top of the $40 billion paid in royalties and excise by the North West Shelf project since the start of production in 1984. Colleagues, when you go into WA you see a sea of fluoro shirts. I would challenge the Greens senators to stand in Perth Airport and condemn the gas industry. I dare you. It's alright to make big statements while you're hiding here in Canberra. I tell you what: I am pro fluoro shirts, I am pro employers, I am pro jobs and I am pro gas as a transition.