Calls grow for NT EPA chair Dr Vogel to step aside from Santos DLNG license decision
Calls are growing for the NT environment regulator chairman to ‘step aside’ from a key decision after it was revealed he is a consultant for a lobbyist group.
The calls are growing for NT Environmental Protection Agency (NTEPA) chairman Dr Paul Vogel to step aside from an impending decision after it was revealed he doubled as a paid consultant for a lobbying group.
Dr Vogel has denied there is any conflict of interest in his role as chair and
the NT government said it would stand by him.
“I have spoken directly with Dr Vogel and am satisfied that he has at all times conducted his role with integrity, due process and appropriate conflict of interest management,” Environment Minister Josh Burgoyne said.
“Dr Vogel was appointed as the Chair and Commissioner of the NT EPA in 2016 and has carried out those functions with distinction and he retains the full confidence of the NT Government.”
The Centre for Public Integrity director Geoffrey Watson SC, the Environment Centre NT and Johnston MLA Justine Davis have all criticised Dr Vogel’s work with lobbying group Purple, which was revealed by ACT Senator David Pocock at a Senate committee on June 17, 2024.
Purple has consulted for gas giant INPEX which owns a stake in the Darwin Liquefied Natural Gas plant (DLNG).
This same facility has recently come under attack over a 20-year methane leak that the NT EPA was aware of since 2020.
By September 18, the NT EPA will make a decision on whether or not they will renew the environmental protection license for DLNG operator Santos.
Critics say Dr Vogel’s should not be involved in this decision.
“It’s a golden rule that a regulator should not also be placed in a position of advising those persons being regulated,” Mr Watson said.
“Dr Vogel cannot participate in that decision making, that would be quite contrary to good and decent practice.
“I am not saying he has done anything wrong or would do anything wrong, I want to make that clear, but the fact is it’s perception that counts.”
In a statement to this masthead, Dr Vogel denied any conflict of interest, “perceived or actual”.
“In the past I have provided specialist consulting services to Western Australian firm Purple on an ad hoc basis,” he said.
“I have never provided advice to any of Purple’s clients that the NT EPA regulates in the NT, nor have I been requested to do so.
“Furthermore, I have not done any commercial work with Purple for the past 18 months.”
However Environment Centre NT executive director Kirsty Howey echoed Mr Watson’s calls, demanding Dr Vogel “step aside” from making any decisions on the future of the DLNG project.
“It’s difficult to see how Dr Vogel can approach the regulation of Darwin LNG with an open mind,” she said.
“This would help ensure that regulatory decisions are independent, transparent, and most importantly, maintain public confidence in our regulators.”
Independent MLA Ms Davis said it “failed the pub test”.
“It just doesn’t make sense that a person regulating the gas industry is also advising the gas industry,” she said.
“The Chair of the NTEPA must step aside from decisions where there is a conflict, or even the perception of one, like the leaking gas tanks at Darwin LNG.”
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Originally published as Calls grow for NT EPA chair Dr Vogel to step aside from Santos DLNG license decision
