Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Over 7,000 people have contacted my office in the last three months about Woodside's and Labor's plans to wreck Murujuga sacred sites, sea country and the climate. I will read part of a statement by Raeleen Cooper, a proud Murujuga woman, who is here today trying to meet with Minister King, who seems to have time only for the oil and gas industry and not First People. Raeleen says:

The government is attempting to prevent First Peoples having a voice by rushing through a bill to fast track offshore gas projects. This breaks the Free, Prior and Informed consent of First Peoples and the government's climate commitments.

Again, we see the government not carrying out a required consultation process effectively and instead prioritising the interests of fossil fuel companies. Bending over backwards for them, paid off by the millions of dollars in campaign donations from the sector.

In 2022, six UN special rapporteurs wrote to the federal government expressing their concerns about the human rights of the Murujuga. The letter said:

The sacred songlines and stories contained in petroglyphs and rock art engravings are being damaged by emissions from the Burrup Hub and face total destruction within decades. Traditional custodians have voiced their opposition to further development on Murujuga but have been silenced by 'gag clauses' in industrial agreements with the Western Australian government.

Labor needs to stop gagging, intimidating and silencing First Peoples and respect our right to protect country. Shame on you. (Time expired)