21 March 2024
To the Albanese Government,
We write as a group of organisations representing the youth climate movement in Australia, representing young people who are fighting for a safe future and livable climate. We write to urge the government to withdraw amendments in Schedule 2, part 2 of the Offshore Petroleum Bill, which hand over broad new powers to the Resources Minister.
We are deeply concerned about amendments in the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Legislation Amendment (Safety and Other Measures) Bill 2024 which could weaken oversight over dangerous offshore fossil fuel projects. The amendments in Schedule 2, part 2 of the Bill grant the Resources Minister new regulatory powers which could exempt offshore gas projects from national environment laws. We request that these amendments are withdrawn from the Bill, which otherwise covers rights and safety for offshore gas workers, which we fully support.
Who We Are and The Moment We’re In
We are all organisations representing young people who are already experiencing the impacts of the climate crisis: the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, Tomorrow Movement, and School Strike 4 Climate. Collectively we have a membership base of tens of thousands of young people.
Young people today are growing up faced with more climate disasters, extreme weather and an uncertain future. This summer alone, we’ve experienced the escalating impacts of climate change through heatwaves, floods, cyclones and bushfires. We have a vision for the future we want: a safe climate, sustainable jobs and thriving communities. New projects proposed by the gas industry are incompatible with this future.
Our Concerns
From Woodside in WA to Santos in the NT, big fossil fuel companies are pushing to open new climate-wrecking offshore gas projects, at a time when we need an urgent transition beyond gas to renewable energy.
These carbon bombs pose an unacceptable threat to our climate and our future. Many First Nations leaders are speaking up about the harms of developments like the Scarborough and Barossa offshore gas projects for Sea Country, cultural heritage and wildlife.
But right now, big gas companies like Santos are pushing to exempt offshore gas projects like these from scrutiny under Australia’s nature laws. Minister Madeleine King’s proposed amendments could create a giant loophole for big gas companies to avoid scrutiny of the environmental impacts their offshore drilling would create. There’s a risk they could push ahead without proper consultation of Traditional Owners and impacted communities.
Your government has promised to thoroughly review and improve our national environment laws. This new bill flies in the face of this promise and would be a huge step backwards. Environmental organisations and independent experts have sounded the alarm, as have Traditional Owners when speaking to the Senate Inquiry about the Bill.
Therese Bourke, a Tiwi Islands Traditional Owner and senior elder of the Malawu clan said:“ We are very, very concerned that this bill will give the resources minister the power to change the law and what we stand for as Tiwi people, including our cultural and spiritual responsibilities.” [1]
Raelene Cooper, Mardudhunera woman and founder of the organisation Save Our Songlines, said: "Minister Madeleine King is taking her instructions from the oil and gas industry and sidelining the environment, First Nations people and members of her own cabinet in this process.” [2]
Summary
We implore the Albanese government to reconsider these amendments and stand up for young people. Instead of rushing through changes that help the gas industry to avoid scrutiny, the government should instead focus on adding reforms to our Environment laws that ensure strong protections for a safe climate future.
Kind regards,
The Australian Youth Climate Coalition
Tomorrow Movement
School Strike 4 Climate Australia
References:
[1] 2024, March 14. Senior Traditional Owner and Elder of the Munupi clan, Theresa Bourke. Evidence to Senate Inquiry See p.35 here
[2] 2024, March 14. Mardudhunera Traditional Custodian, Raelene Cooper. Evidence to Senate Inquiry. See page 36 here.
