2024-12-13
The Greens are calling on Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to reject Woodside’s mammoth North West Shelf gas expansion scheme following an environmental approval yesterday from the WA Government. Woodside's gas expansion threatens the environment, climate and First Nations cultural heritage.
Quotes attributable to Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:
“This extension is disgraceful in the midst of a climate crisis.
“It will allow billions of tonnes of toxic gas to be drilled and burned until 2070, the equivalent of 24 new coal-fired power stations.
“Tanya Plibersek needs to step in and stop WA Labor from burning the house down for all of us.
“Climate emissions are higher under Anthony Albanese than under Scott Morrison. Since coming into power, Labor has already approved 28 new coal and gas projects. To have any chance of a safer climate, Labor must stop approving new coal and gas projects and start rapidly cutting emissions.”
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens spokesperson for the Environment, Senator for SA:
“Woodside’s gas greed in the North West Shelf would be an environmental disaster and Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek should reject it before next year's Federal Election.
“This scheme would unleash gas drilling on a huge scale, threatening pristine ecosystems like Scott Reef, home to 33 threatened endangered species like the green sea turtle and the pygmy blue whale. Heavy shipping and drilling will also jeopardise whale migration pathways.
“Woodside’s gas greed will fuel the extinction and climate crisis, pollute our air, poison our oceans and kill animals.
“The Greens call on the Albanese Government to stop blocking a climate trigger in our environment laws.
Senator Dorinda Cox is Greens spokesperson for First Nations & Resources, Senator for WA:
“Approving new fossil fuel projects in the face of a global climate emergency is reckless, irresponsible and short-sighted. It puts profits for a few above the well-being of our communities and our future generations. Short-term fossil fuel projects jeopardise the natural beauty of Northern Australia and have long-term, negative effects on industries like tourism and communities.
“The North West Shelf project will cook the planet, destroy our precious rock art in the World Heritage nominated Murajuga National Park through Woodsides gas emissions. Once they are done it won’t be worth listing as there will be nothing left. This is our irreplaceable collective history.
“Baking in 50 years of gas reliance is reckless and out-dated when we should be transitioning to a greener and cleaner future. The WA resources sector understands this need and are coming together with unions and environmental groups to place WA at the forefront of the green iron and steel industry, which is not gas led or reliant.
“First Nations leaders in the ‘Save Our Songlines’ campaign have submitted a Section 10 under the Federal Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Cultural Heritage Act and it’s still sitting on the desk of the Environment Minister, it must be dealt with as a matter of urgency now, 2 years is an unacceptable wait.
“The Albanese Labor Government must reject this project and not allow the mining cartel to drive this climate bomb for profits and as a result ruin WA world class biodiversity, our precious cultural heritage and destroy our beautiful west Australian sea country for our future generations.”