2018-03-06
The South Australian Greens have welcomed the Sea Shepherd crew aboard the M/Y Steve Irwin back to Adelaide, and pledge to fight to protect the Great Australian Bight from oil and gas drilling.
“This pristine wilderness must be protected from multinational fossil fuels companies that put profits ahead of communities and the environment,” Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“The South Australian Greens stand in solidarity with Sea Shepherd, the Wilderness Society and the Great Australian Bight Alliance in protecting this precious, unique location. It simply cannot be sold out by state or federal governments and we will continue to join with the community to fight to protect the Bight.”
“The Greens are calling on Liberal and Labor to come clean on their plans for the oil drilling in the Great Australian Bight. They can’t hide behind the Federal Government, because whilst Canberra might control the water, the State Government controls the land. Any marine drilling will need to be supported by land-based facilities. Under State law, the State Government controls land-use using zoning and the approval of major infrastructure. The clearest message that South Australian political parties can send is to make it clear that they will NOT support land-based support facilities for oil and gas in the Great Australian Bight. That’s the Greens’ commitment. Where do the other parties stand?” Parliamentary leader of the SA Greens, Mark Parnell said.
“The Bight is far too precious to risk, and the Greens don’t support drilling or exploring for oil in any way. Putting profits ahead of people and planet is something we vehemently oppose and we would like to see our fellow South Australians in other parties also put our state and its people first. I stand with Sea Shepherd who seek to draw the attention of the world to the importance of the Great Australian Bight and its sea creatures,” Tammy Franks MLC said.