VIC: Union body seeks to widen scope of gas probe

AAP General News (Australia)
12-14-1998
VIC: Union body seeks to widen scope of gas probe

MELBOURNE, Dec 14 AAP - The royal commission into Victorias gas crisis began today with a
call for its terms of reference to be broadened.

Counsel for the Victorian Trades Hall Council, Mark Dean, told the chairman of the royal
commission, Sir Daryl Dawson, it was a matter of some concern that the Victorian government
was not mentioned in the inquirys terms of reference.

Mr Dean said the terms of reference should be amended to include the Victorian government
in finding what steps should be taken by Esso or BHP to prevent a recurrence of the September
25 explosion and fire at Essos Longford gas plant.

Two workers were killed and gas supplies to most of Victoria cut for a fortnight.

The royal commission has been established to probe the causes of the disaster, any
contributing factors and what steps should be taken to prevent it happening again.

"It is in our submission a matter of some significance that the Victorian government is not
included in term of reference three in relation to the future safe conduct of Longford," Mr
Dean told the commission.

But Sir Daryl said it was not appropriate to agree to or to reject the application at such
an early stage.

"At this moment, of course, the commission has nothing before it at all and it would be
inappropriate to accede to a request or even refuse it," Sir Daryl said.

The application could be made later in the proceedings, he said.

Outside the Commission, Trades Hall Council secretary Leigh Hubbard told reporters security
of gas supply was a government responsibility.

"We believe most Victorians know that this gas plant blew up, it shouldnt have blown up.
Hundreds of thousands of people were put out of work as a result of it and the government
ought to have a responsibility to oversee a supply in the system and how the system operates,"
Mr Hubbard said.

The commission, which must report by February 15, has begun with a two-day introduction on
how petroleum is produced, delivered by Essos planning group supervisor, technical division,
Ron Reinton.

Mr Reintons introduction was immediately questioned by the unions and by the Insurance
Council of Australia.

Both groups said Mr Reintons introduction should be given under oath enabling him to be
cross-examined.

However, Sir Daryl said the introduction was purely for instructional purposes, giving
parties an understanding on how the Longford plant operated before evidence was heard.

Mr Hubbard said outside the commission it was debatable that Mr Reintons address was as
non-controversial as Esso said.

"Many of the facts relating to this incident on 25 September ... I am sure will be the
subject of some controversy," he said.

Counsel assisting the Royal Commission, James Judd QC, said an opening address on the facts
of the September 25 disaster would be given on Wednesday after Essos introduction was
completed.

The hearing is being conducted on a floor of the Westpac Tower in central Melbourne, with
proceedings transcribed directly onto the Victorian governments website.

AAP pjb/sp/jlw/cjh/br

KEYWORD: GAS TERMS

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