More than one hundred West Australians gathered this afternoon at Cottesloe Beach to send a clear message to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek that they want the Federal government to save Scott Reef and stop Woodside proceeding with its harmful Browse Gas project.

The action came ahead of the Federal Cabinet arriving in Perth this afternoon for a four day trip to WA. Former WA Labor Premier Dr Carmen Lawrence, former Australian of the Year Professor Fiona Stanley and Member for Curtin Kate Chaney were among the attendees.

Dr. Carmen Lawrence told reporters that it was time for Federal Cabinet to listen to the WA community, not fossil fuel giants like Woodside.

“It’s time that they listened to the people of Western Australia who care about our environment, who care about the planet, and the plants and animals. And yet they are giving the tick to these huge projects burning more fossil fuels. They really have to listen more carefully and not just to the companies that profit from it,” said Dr. Lawrence.

Jason Wu, a member of Parents for Climate, said he came down on Father’s Day because he wanted the government to act on climate and stop Woodside to protect his kids' future. 

“We are in a climate emergency and Woodside wants to dig up more gas that's going to kill off endangered species and worsen the climate crisis. It’s the very last thing we need. As a dad of two, I really want to say to the prime minister that I want him to stop Woodside’s projects and to save Scott Reef,” Jason Wu said. 

Kate Chaney MP, Federal Member for Curtin, called on the Albanese government to stop Woodside’s project from going ahead. 

“Projects like this one are a huge threat and make it much harder for the rest of the world and the rest of Australia to decarbonise. This incredible reef which is hundreds of kilometres off the coast is critical for whales going up and down the coast. And all these other incredible species. This is a huge threat. And it’s not just the environmental threats, it’s also the climate threat. There are lots of reasons not to go ahead with this huge climate bomb. And it's really important the government hears that.” 

The action comes after it was revealed this month the EPA has found Woodside’s Browse gas proposal to be unacceptable due to a wide range of serious and unmanaged risks to the environment including the endangered pygmy blue whale and green sea turtles who rely on Scott Reef for their sole nesting habitat.

Browse, Australia’s largest untapped conventional gas field, is located off the coast of the pristine Kimberley region in WA, beneath the extraordinary Scott Reef.

The EPA reached its finding due to a wide range of major concerns about environmental, nature and pollution impacts, according to a letter the EPA sent to Woodside Energy in February this year.

ENDS