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

I speak for the thousands of community members in WA and across the country who have contacted me about their opposition to Woodside's Browse expansion and their fears for the future of Scott Reef. Communities in my home state of WA have been protesting. They are protesting Woodside's plans from Cottesloe to Broome to Exmouth. Places like Scott Reef are critical areas of marine biodiversity that are especially vulnerable to warming temperatures. Now, this parliament has heard plenty about the direct impact that this project will have on the endangered blue whales, the sea turtles and thousands of other species. The consequences of Woodside's plans to drill would be devastating for the entire Scott Reef ecosystem. This is a tragedy that those in this parliament can prevent.

Australians are begging their government to put the health of our oceans and the future of our planet back at the heart of decision-making. The government needs to act on behalf of the communities that they have sworn to represent, not the corporate political donors that prop up their election campaigns. Woodside's proposed Browse development is going to be one of the most harmful fossil fuel projects in Australian history—that is, if Labor gives it the green light.

The WA Environmental Protection Authority has categorically rejected this project. I implore the Labor government: do not continue with business as usual. This audacity—saying you're acting on climate change while you're approving these things—must come to an end. (Time expired)