In response to the WA government’s announcement of changes to WA’s domestic gas policy today, the Executive Director of the Conservation Council of WA Jess Beckerling said:
“WA’s gas industry is driving up domestic and global emissions at a time when they need to be rapidly reducing.
“This decision ignores the Parliamentary Inquiry’s recommendation for a ban on the export of any onshore gas unless the domestic market is adequately supplied.
“It means even more of our gas will now be exported when we know that 90% of WA’s gas is already sent overseas, largely without paying any royalties.
“Allowing exports of new and expanding onshore gas is another step towards large scale gas fields industrialising WA’s farms and communities.
“More of WA’s onshore gas will now be shipped overseas via Woodside’s Burrup Hub, the largest LNG export facility in Australia which Woodside is trying to extend to 2070.
“Without Woodside’s Burrup Hub taking so much gas out of the domestic market to export overseas there would be no gas shortages.
“We do not need new gas. The Climate Council has shown that if we stop exporting gas, we will have enough from existing sources to last us for 65 years.
“Gas is not a transition fuel, it’s a fossil fuel that is diverting investment away from renewable energy. There is no future with gas.”
ENDS