2025-02-05
The Greens have today raised concerns about NOPSEMA’s regulation of the offshore fossil fuel industry following the government agency’s approval of embattled fossil fuel company Esso’s Bass Strait Development.
If Labor is to have any credibility at all on climate it must rule out Esso’s Bass Strait Development and commit to improving the broken laws and regulations that govern the offshore fossil fuel industry.
Quotes attributable to Greens spokesperson for Healthy Oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:
“Esso has proven itself to be a highly problematic and dangerous operator.
“In just six months last year Esso reported three spills at its existing Bass Strait facilities, bringing the total number of documented failures to 39 over a nine year period. Yet NOPSEMA has repeatedly failed to take the strong actions necessary to reign in the fossil fuel giant.
“If Esso cannot manage its current infrastructure safely it should not be able to expand its operations, nor should it be trusted to carry out its plans for risky carbon pollution dumping in the region.
“NOPSEMA’s oversight and regulation of the offshore fossil fuel industry is flawed and based on inadequate legislation.
“If Labor is to have any credibility at all on climate it must rule out Esso’s Bass Strait Development and commit to improving the broken laws and regulations that govern the offshore fossil fuel industry.”