State Development & Industry

Monday 18 June 2018

Seismic surveys in a remote area of the Pilbara announced today by the Mines and Petroleum Minister are effectively a subsidy for fracking companies, Mining and Pastoral MLC Robin Chapple says.

“Once again the Minister is undermining the moratorium on fracking in WA, this time by spending taxpayers’ money on survey work designed to help oil and gas companies,” Mr Chapple said.

“The Minister is making it look as if the McGowan Government has already made up its mind about fracking and will open up the Kimberley and possibly the Pilbara to invasive gasfields such as those we have seen in Queensland and the US.

“Governments and states across the world have banned fracking and the ALP agreed to ban fracking in the Southwest, Peel and Perth because of the risks to tourism, horticulture and amenity.

“Just because there are fewer people in the Kimberley and Pilbara, it doesn’t mean the country is ‘empty’ and can be sacrificed.

“The opposite is true: Traditional Owners are on country all the time carrying out cultural practices and getting traditional foods.

“The Labor Party promised veto rights for Traditional Owners at the election but we haven’t heard anything more: instead, we have heard a lot from the Minister about promoting and subsidising fracking companies.”

Media Contact: Liam Carter – 0449 151 490

Friday, 20^th April 2018

The Greens (WA) have slammed the Premier over the Labor Government’s decision to allow two new industrial projects on the Burrup Peninsula.

The Burrup, which is home to the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal rock art dating back 40,000 years, is overseen by the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation which recently started working with the McGowan Government on securing World Heritage Listing through UNESCO for the Burrup Peninsula and Archipelago.

“This is a deceitful government, who have led traditional owners on while simultaneously working with big business to trash any chance of achieving World Heritage for this site,” said The Greens (WA) spokesperson for Aboriginal Affairs Robin Chapple MLC.

“No one saw this coming, because Mark McGowan had previously indicated that he would work with traditional owners. He’s thrown that consultative, evidenced based approach out of the window in return for a quick fix for his mates in industry.

“What this has shown is that you cannot trust Labor. We have multiple reports showing that industry on the Burrup is degrading the rock art, so why on earth is the government seeking two new industrial projects for this sensitive area when the Maitland estate down the road is perfectly suitable?

“Mark McGowan had his fingers crossed behind his back when he started negotiating on World Heritage Listing.

“People can be assured that The Greens will be fighting this every step of the way in the parliament and in the community.

Media Contact: Liam Carter – 0449 151 490