The NSW Government’s decision to ban offshore oil and gas exploration has been welcomed by the Greens, who have commended the coastal communities that have fought tirelessly for the win.
As stated by Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson:
“Today’s decision by the NSW Government is momentous – but this win belongs to all those ocean-goers who have rallied hard on this matter for years in a bid to protect their local marine ecosystems and avoid irreversible changes to the Earth’s climate.
“It is unforgivable that our government continues to invite big oil and gas corporations to explore our marine environment for the very product that is killing our oceans. People want their leaders to start taking bold and radical climate action, and today’s news is welcome proof that with enough sustained pressure people power and protest action works.
“I call on all other states to resist the toxic influence of big oil and gas companies and follow NSW’s momentous lead on banning oil and gas exploration in state waters. Especially the Victorian, West Australian and Tasmanian Governments which all have dangerous offshore oil and gas projects in the works – these projects are already threatening their coastal communities and local fisheries with things like risky seismic testing.
“The Greens will continue our plan to ban all new oil and gas exploration in our Commonwealth waters. New Zealand, Greenland, Spain, Denmark, Costa Rica, France, Belize and Portugal have all implemented bans on new oil and gas exploration – there is no reason Australia shouldn’t do the same.”
