Canberra climate activists are uniting with Conservation Councils across Australia. Demonstrators will convoy today with Albanese’s Woodside Carbon Bomb (see image), to all four Labor politicians – outraged and heartbroken by the Environment Minister Murray Watt’s conditional approval of Woodside’s North West Shelf gas project extension. This is Minister Watt’s first decision as Environment Minister.
Event Location:
- David Smith’s Office (Bean), 205 Anketell Street Tuggeranong, ACT, 2900
- Senator Gallagher, Unit 3 40 Corinna Street, Phillip, ACT
- Andrew Leigh’s Office (Fenner), Cnr Gungahlin Pl and Efkarpidis Street, Gungahli
- Alicia Payne‘s Office (Canberra), 221 London Circuit Canberra, ACT, 2601
Date & Time: Wednesday 4 June, from 11 am, first stop, David Smith’s Office
Scientists, experts, First Nations leaders, Pacific leaders, climate activists have all urgently called to be listened to and for the Government to refuse this extension. Instead, Environment Minister Murray Watt is allowing Woodside to extend its WA gas processing plant until 2070.
Simon Copland, Conservation Council ACT & The Region said: “The Labor government knows that carbon emissions drive the increasing frequency and impacts of floods, fires, droughts and rising seas already drowning our Pacific neighbours’ islands. It has been made very clear that there must be no more fossil fuel projects, including extensions. We have enough for the transition, the Prime Minister saying otherwise, is disingenuous. This decision lands as communities in NSW are seeing their homes, businesses, towns go under water: it is outrageous and heartbreaking.”
Amy Blain, Chair Peoples Climate Assembly said, “It’s very, very clear who the Government is prioritising here, it’s certainly not First Nations communities, Pacific Islanders or everyday Australians, it’s Woodside. It’s clear that both the WA and Federal Governments are in a toxic relationship with the fossil fuel industry. The Government’s job is to hold companies like Woodside properly to account. First Nations communities want Zero Industry on Murujuga, not a 40-year extension.
We’re being gaslit by the Labor Government. They promise serious climate action, assure us they are following the science, they promise Zero Extinctions, and to honor First Nations communities. The first decision from the Environment Minister shows none of that is true.”
John Wurcker, Rising Tide said, “The North West Shelf extension is a legacy no climate conscious Labor politician should want any part of. It will be the most polluting project in Australia, far bigger than any project approved under the Scott Morrison government. It will destroy Murujuga. The Labor Government is failing First Nations communities, everyday Australians, and the environment.“
Photos uploaded to this folder for media use: https://drive.google.com/
Conservation Council ACT & the Region Facebook, Instagram
Peoples Climate Assembly Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok
Background
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This project will release up to 6 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases
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continue to damage sacred rock art at Murujuga
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take gas from underneath the pristine Scott Reef and threaten a unique and important marine ecosystem
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override objections from environmental and indigenous groups
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raise Woodside’s profits – Australia gives half its exported gas free to gas companies. It could have taken $111 billion in royalties from 2020 to 2024 from WA alone for renewable energy, climate adaptation, health and education
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supply the export market – it’s not for domestic use. Australia already produces sufficient gas for our needs