1.1
The Senate inquiry into the Great Australian Bight Environment
Protection Bill 2016 (the bill) received a number of submissions from
organisations who are deeply concerned about the potential environmental, social
and economic risks that drilling for oil in the Great Australian Bight
represents. These concerns were largely ignored and disregarded in the Chair's
report.
1.2
The Wilderness Society noted in their submission:
The extraordinary environmental values of the Great
Australian Bight, and their ecological health, support significant industries
in coastal and regional South Australia. These values are threatened by current
oil and gas exploration proposals from a range of companies that hold exploration
permits in the region...The Wilderness Society considers that the case is now
clear that the Great Australian Bight is not a safe or appropriate place for
new oil and gas exploration or industrialisation.[1]
1.3
In their submission, Greenpeace Australia Pacific details their strong
support for the objectives of this bill, stating:
Oil production in the Great Australian Bight poses an
unacceptable risk to the Australian marine environment due to the oil
industry's established inability to prevent and mitigate the effects of a
catastrophic oil disaster.[2]
1.4
In reference to the ability of the regularity structure to adequately
protect the Great Australian Bight, the Humane Society International submission
states:
We maintain that NOPSEMA is not an appropriate body to be the
sole regulator of environmental approvals for offshore petroleum activities in
Commonwealth waters. As a result we have called for the EPBC Act to be amended
to revoke the accreditation of NOPSEMA to approve significant impacts on
matters of national environmental significance...[3]
1.5
The Australian Greens are concerned by the Chair's disregard for these
concerns and the significant danger that exploratory activity and the drilling
for oil in the Great Australian Bight represents.
1.6
The Australian Greens recognise the concerns raised by the Law Council
of Australia in their submission and the potential amendments to the bill that
would clarify its impact, strengthen its enforceability and increase penalties
for infringements.
1.7
The Australian Greens acknowledge the submissions from companies such as
Chevron, BP and Murphy Australia Oil Pty Ltd, who want to exploit the natural
resources of the Great Australian Bight for financial profit and thank them for
their contributions.
1.8
While these companies have, in related inquiries, drawn attention to the
scale of their investments and their apparent potential for job creation the
Australian Greens remain concerned that the highly specialised workforce that
would be employed on any drilling rig would result in a relatively small number
of local jobs being generated from these projects. Indeed, the Australian
Greens contend that the small number of local jobs created by these projects
would pale into insignificance in comparison to the number of fisheries and
tourism jobs that they would put at risk, especially in South Australia.
Conclusion
1.9
The Australian Greens are deeply concerned by the very real risks that mining
for oil or gas in the Great Australian Bight represent. Questionable economic
and employment benefits need to be weighed against the impact that a
catastrophic oil spill from such projects would represent to fisheries and
tourism jobs across the southern states, especially South Australia. The
pristine marine environment of the Great Australian Bight contains critical
habitats for endangered whales, including the Blue Whale and Southern Right
Whale, threatened sea lion populations and white sharks. At this time of
climate emergency, we need to be investing in clean, green and renewable energy
and not the old, dirty fossil fuel industries of the past.
Recommendation 1
1.10
The Australian Greens recommend the Senate consider the amendments to
the legislation proposed by the Australian Law Council.
Recommendation 2
1.11
The Australian Greens recommend that the bill be passed.
Senator Peter
Whish-Wilson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young
Deputy Chair Senator
for South Australia
Senator for
Tasmania
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