“Reckless” oil and gas ocean exploration permits granted by Albanese government

Federal resources minister, Madeleine King, has today announced another swathe of offshore oil and gas exploration licences in the Otway and Sorrell Basins, and along Australia’s west coast. This decision comes at a time of heightened community concern and opposition, like that along the Great Ocean Road, and after recent investigations have revealed that the oil and gas industry is not cleaning up the mess it has already made in the ocean.

These fossil fuel exploration licences are being announced in addition to a previously granted total of 146 exploration permits, retention leases and special prospecting areas covering 234,000km—an area slightly larger than the state of Victoria.

Leading environment organisation the Wilderness Society, says the decisions to lock in more oil and gas is reckless, and will worsen the nature and climate crises.

Furthermore, this release of acreage and granting of new oil and gas permits has been made without any say from the community, either those local communities directly affected, or those impacted by the climate effects of ongoing fossil fuel expansion. It is unclear if the consent of relevant Traditional Owners has been sought or obtained.

On climate, environment, community and economic competitiveness grounds, the Australian government should not be granting more oil and gas exploration permits. The mindless process of publicly-funded seismic blasting, acreage release, and exploration licensing must be brought to an end.

Fern Cadman, Fossil Fuel Industry Campaigner for the Wilderness Society, said, “Decisions like today’s announcement of new oil and gas exploration set off a chain reaction of climate and nature destruction that is reckless, irresponsible and immoral.

“Mindless expansion of oil and gas, for an industry already banking vast areas of ocean titles flies in the face of climate science and the vehement opposition of communities like those along the Great Ocean Road who oppose new oil and gas.

“The Albanese government should be ending the oil and gas acreage release process, not giving the fossil fuel industry more financial or in-kind gifts to prop up their failing fossil fuel based business model that is so destructive for nature, and for communities.”

For interviews with Fern Cadman, Fossil Fuel Industry Campaigner, please contact Rhiannon Cunningham, media adviser for the Wilderness Society on [email protected] or 0419 992 760