The fossil fuels industry is spruiking an economic boon that would benefit them, not South Australians, if oil and gas drilling were to go ahead in the Great Australian Bight, the Australian Greens say.

“The fossil fuels industry wants drilling to go ahead because they are the ones who will profit – these multinational companies are seeking to risk the Great Australian Bight and send the profits offshore,” Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young said.

The Australian Greens have slammed the Labor and Liberal parties for rejecting the will of South Australians who want to see the Great Australian Bight World Heritage protected.

“The Labor and Liberal Parties have failed time and again to stand up for the Great Australian Bight and speak out against oil and gas drilling. If a spill happens in the Bight, oil will be on their hands,” Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young said.

Georgina Downer has responded to polling that shows 73.9 per cent of Mayo wants World Heritage protection for the Great Australian Bight by showing she has no understanding of the risks associated with oil and gas drilling in this pristine marine environment.

The Australian Greens have welcomed the release of polling that shows 73.9 per cent of the people of Mayo support the Greens’ push for World Heritage protection for the Great Australian Bight. 

“The vast majority of South Australians, like the people of Mayo, want World Heritage Protection for the Bight. The Premier and Prime Minister should start preparing the nomination process,” Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young said. 

The Australian Greens strongly condemn the Turnbull Government for further opening up the Great Australian Bight for oil and gas drilling.

“Despite the broad community opposition to big oil and gas companies risking the Bight, Resources Minister Matt Canavan continues to roll out the red carpet,” Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young said.

“The impacts of an oil spill in the Bight would be devastating. Within a matter of days, oil would be washing up on the shores of Kangaroo Island and Adelaide beaches.

New Zealand’s ban on new offshore oil and gas exploration and drilling permits offers a path Australia must follow, South Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said today.

“The New Zealand Government have shown the leadership that Malcolm Turnbull’s been too afraid to show.

“New Zealand’s action demonstrates the environmental impact of offshore oil and gas to both the oceans and the climate can no longer be ignored.

“The real question is why New Zealand’s marine environment is worthy of protection from Big Oil, but the Great Australian Bight is not.

MEDIA RELEASE
6 April 2018

The South Australian Greens have welcomed the Sea Shepherd crew aboard the M/Y Steve Irwin back to Adelaide, and pledge to fight to protect the Great Australian Bight from oil and gas drilling. 

“This pristine wilderness must be protected from multinational fossil fuels companies that put profits ahead of communities and the environment,” Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young said. 

Chevron’s decision to withdraw plans to drill in the Great Australian Bight is a big win for the coastal communities, tourism and fishing industries, who have fought hard to protect this pristine environment, The Australian Greens say.

The Australian Greens are calling on the SA Government to stand with coastal communities, tourism and fishery industries in protecting the Great Australian Bight marine park from high-risk oil drilling by Statoil.