Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I am extremely disappointed that this motion has been denied formality. Tomorrow will be six years since the Montara oil spill, and we still do not know whether that spill has had an impact on Indonesian waters, on the seaweed farmers and on the fishers, particularly of West Timor. I have been up to the island. I have seen with my own eyes the damage that has occurred to seaweed farms. I have also spoken to fishers firsthand on the impacts they have felt in reduced productivity. We do not know whether the Montara oil spill had an impact on these seaweed farmers and fishers.

What the Indonesian fishers and seaweed farmers are asking for is simply, at this stage, an investigation of whether there has been an impact. They are not even saying that there has been; they are saying, 'Please investigate this.' I understand from the experts that it would still be worthwhile carrying out such an investigation. If the oil was there, it would still be there. I am very disappointed that you are not paying attention to this particular important issue. (Time expired)