2022-02-23
The NSW Government’s decision to ban offshore oil and gas exploration has been welcomed by the Greens, who have commended the coastal communities that have fought tirelessly for the win.
Quotes attributable to Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:
“Today’s decision by the NSW Government is momentous. This win belongs to all those ocean-goers who have rallied hard for years to protect their local marine ecosystems and avoid irreversible changes to the Earth’s climate.
“People want their leaders to start taking bold and radical climate action, and today’s news is welcome proof that with enough sustained pressure people-power and protest action works.
“I call on all other states to resist the toxic influence of big oil and gas companies and follow NSW’s momentous lead on banning oil and gas exploration in state waters. Especially the Victorian and West Australian Governments which have dangerous offshore oil and gas projects in the works and are already threatening coastal communities and local fisheries with risky seismic blasting.
“The Greens will continue our plan to ban all new oil and gas exploration in our Commonwealth waters. New Zealand, Greenland, Spain, Denmark, Costa Rica, France, Belize and Portugal have all implemented bans on new oil and gas exploration – there is no reason Australia shouldn’t do the same.”