2016-04-28
The Australian Greens are calling for BP to release publicly all environmental plans and oil spill modelling submitted to NOPSEMA for community review.
"If BP is confident it can contain an oil spill and mitigate against harm to our tourism and fishing industries, and the precious Great Australian Bight environment, then there is no reason why this information shouldn't be made publicly available," Greens Senator for South Australia Robert Simms said.
"Without seeing detail on the risks associated with such a spill, and what the affects would be on the precious and unique Great Australian Bight environment, we would be blindly walking into what could be a catastrophic economic and environmental disaster. The community expects transparency and does not want to see a repeat of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in this unique natural environment.
"These decisions, that threaten our environment and tourism industry, cannot be made behind closed doors. All environmental plans and oil spill modelling must be released to the public as soon as possible.
"The Great Australian Bight should not be put at risk for the sake of corporations chasing a profit."