A new report has revealed the extraordinary extent of the power and influence of the fossil fuel lobby in Western Australia.

‘Captured State’, prepared by climate action group 350 Boorloo Perth, reveals that in some cases, political donations by oil and gas corporations were made within days of meetings with state government ministers, and that a “revolving door” exists between WA’s fossil fuel industry, political offices, lobby groups and the state bureaucracy.

350 Boorloo Perth spokesperson Anthony Collins said “Woodside’s power and influence in WA is considerable and maintained through considerable access to Ministers… it is no surprise that emissions and offset conditions for WA’s LNG projects are weak and often not being met”.

“Political progress on climate change is extraordinarily slow in Western Australia and not in line with the scale of the crisis we face. The main reason for this is that our state has been captured by the fossil fuel industry.

“By interweaving the mindset of fossil gas production at all costs into political parties and government agencies; oil and gas corporations have continued to increase production in WA, at great cost to both Aboriginal heritage and the habitability of the planet for future generations.

“Every political donation made, every former gas lobbyist occupying a political position, has an influence over how WA approaches the climate crisis.

“Not enough is being done to combat climate change, as evidenced by proposed fossil fuel projects such as Waitsia and the Burrup Hub, and the fact that fracking in the Kimberley is even being considered.

“Premier Mark McGowan has maintained a tough but necessary stance on WA’s hard border this year, listening to the science, despite highly influential interests threatening these decisions through the courts. We want the Premier to treat the climate crisis with equal importance and start standing up to gas lobbyists like he has with Clive Palmer.”

Captured State – download here:

 Captured State Report.pdf

 WA Revolving Door NEW_17 NOV.jpg

 Key findings:

• Political donations by oil and gas corporations have often been made within days of meetings with state government ministers. (p 12 in the report)
• Political donations by Woodside and Chevron over the last decade have corresponded with key political moments. (pp 21-22)
• A revolving door exists between WA’s fossil fuel industry, political offices, lobby groups and the state bureaucracy: Mapped for the first time in this report. (p 14)
• Woodside’s power and influence in WA is considerable and maintained through considerable access to Ministers (p 11), including hosting the Premier at a board dinner in 2019 (p 13).
• The Premier pressured Woodside’s partners to resolve commercial differences from parliament (p 7).
• Emissions and offset conditions for WA’s LNG projects are weak and often not being met (p 24)

Anthony Collins, author of the report and WA Organiser is available for comment on 0404753404