2021-03-16
The Australian Senate last night passed a Greens motion condemning plans to build a massive gas terminal in Crib Point in Victoria.
The proposal has drawn opposition across political lines, with experts and locals warning that it would fuel the climate crisis, endanger aquatic ecosystems, and harm local business.
Following the condemnation by the Senate, the Greens have said the Victorian Labor Party needs to reverse its position on the terminal, and focus on transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell MP:
“Right now we need to plan for a transition away from fossil fuels, instead of importing and burning more.
“The Victorian Labor Government’s decision to push ahead with a huge gas import terminal in Westernport Bay is negligent and will damage both the environment and local communities.
“I was the first MP to speak out against this back in 2018 when we joined the community in demanding that this project be scrapped. The community wants the government to protect the local environment and marine life over the profits of gas corporations like AGL.
“Hopefully the motion passed in federal parliament last night sends a clear message to Labor Minister Richard Wynne: it’s high time we get off gas and plan for a transition to renewable energy.”
Quotes attributable to Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:
“Last night the Senate passed a Greens motion condemning the Crib Point Terminal.
“The universal condemnation of this facility makes it clear that the major parties know voters don't want more gas. Liberal and Labor have talked the talk, but now they need to walk the walk.
“We would welcome Liberal and Labor recognising that we need a plan to get out of fossil fuels, including gas, as part of doing our fair share to combat the climate crisis.
“Liberal and Labor need to follow this up with action, but I fear they’ll just keep taking political donations from the big gas corporations.
“It would be utter hypocrisy if Liberal and Labor support our motion out of fear of a community backlash but then actively create the framework for decades of gas reliance.
"Gas is as dirty as coal and the Crib Point Terminal threatens not just our climate, but the delicate environment around Western Port.
“We're in a climate crisis. It beggars belief that we'd be importing gas and locking us into high prices when we can instead help businesses get off gas and switch to clean electricity to lower bills and help our planet.
"The future is in green hydrogen, made with Australian sun and wind, and the gas-fuelled Crib Point terminal has no place in it."