Jordon Steele-John (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

We are in a climate emergency. Yet, across our nation, particularly in our north, the major parties are opening up massive gas projects, from the Beetaloo in the NT to the Scarborough gas project in Western Australia. Both parties are in lock step towards the precipice of oblivion, against the wishes of traditional owners, against the advice of the best science and against the common sense of communities who are coming together to oppose fracking in all of its forms, to keep coal in the ground and to invest in renewable energy solutions. This government and state governments like Mark McGowan's in WA and Michael Gunner's in the Territory are tramping over the top of the desires and wishes of traditional owners. Embodying the very finest arrogance that white men have ever brought to government in this place, they are seeking to exploit and open up from the ground some of the most filthy fuel in existence that will supercharge global heating.

This is one of the most disgraceful moments in Australian political history. When the world is moving to action on the climate crisis, Australia has dug itself in. The Morrison government, helped by Anthony Albanese's so-called opposition, is leading the charge of the denialists globally, blocking action on climate change left, right and centre, particularly here in the Asia-Pacific region, when our neighbours and friends are struggling with the reality of water lapping around their ankles. We turn up to international fora after international fora and block action. Why do we do it? Why is it that these two parties are so willing to sell the future of young people particularly in this country? It's because they take millions for it; it's because they are on the take. Woodside alone has given $2 million between 2013 and 2020 to the major parties. Other gas giants have given millions more. What do they get in return? They get to be able to utilise their claims over the Fitzroy River in Western Australia. Whether they are Boral Energy, Origin Energy, Black Mountain, Mitsubishi or 'Twiggy' bloody Forrest, all are able to circle at the trough and pursue their claims over one of the last great pristine wildernesses in this country. Just a few weeks ago we saw the former Treasurer of Western Australia leave his position and join the boards of Rio Tinto and Woodside, claiming $400,000 for it. The disgusting, slimy turnstile of Australian politics is on full display.

We in the Greens oppose it. We are united in support for the community to keep the gas in the ground and go bloody renewable.