Senator Kilgariff asked the Minister for National Development and Energy, upon notice, on 4 December 1980:

(1) Did a statement from a senior official of the oil industry recently indicate that despite the actions of the Federal Government, which has brought about a certain degree of conservation of fuel, there would be a continuing fall-off in fuel production, particularly as the Bass Strait output dwindles.

(2) Did the report further state that it appeared the only feasible means of overcoming future shortages was to encourage the production of alternative fuels such as shale oil and synthetic fuel from plants.

(3) What is the present situation in safeguarding future energy requirements.

Senator Carrick —The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

(1) Various press reports appeared of statements made by Mr J. Kirk, Chairman and Managing Director of Esso Australia Ltd, when releasing his company's report 'Australian Energy Outlook'. I assume it is these reports which are referred to in the question. The Government has been aware that Bass Strait oil is a finite resource and as such its production can be expected to decline in the future.

(2) In the discussion on Australia's energy future the report covered several means of overcoming possible future oil supply shortages. These included exploration, conservation and subsitution as well as the development of synthetic fuels.

(3) There have been a number of statements to Parliament and elsewhere outlining the Government's approach to safeguarding Australia's future energy requirements the most recent of which is the Prime Minister's statement made in August 1980 'Energy Policy and Related Resource Development'.