Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has just approved 151 new coal seam gas wells as part of a Gina Rinehart backed Senex Atlas project in Queensland. This brings the total to 9 gas projects, 5 coal projects and 10 oil and gas fields since the Albanese government came into office.

Amid public calls for no more coal and gas approvals and the inclusion of a climate trigger in our broken environment laws, climate groups have planned actions in response targeting Labor MPs across the country, including at Plibersek’s office at 10am tomorrow morning (27 June at 1A Great Buckingham Street, Redfern).

Kelly Albion, Campaign Director at 350 Australia said “Tanya Plibersek has once again proven that our environment laws are broken if she doesn’t need to consider the climate impact of 151 coal seam gas wells, and can approve projects that will destroy koala habitat and pollute groundwater.

“​​We need a climate trigger to ensure the climate harm of coal and gas mining is central to approval decisions to ensure mining companies are held accountable for the vast climate impacts they have on Australian communities and the environment.

“Communities are already suffering the impacts of unprecedented heat waves, sea level rise and flooding, and every new fossil fuel project approved makes it worse.

“Australia has committed to keep global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees. It’s very clear that the Government is not doing that, given advice from bodies like the IEA that to meet that goal means no more development of coal mines and gasfields.

“The Albanese government can expect more and more protest and dismay from everyday Australians while they continue to back coal and gas corporations over the wellbeing of communities and the stability of ecosystems.”

Concerned constituents will visit Labor MP offices across the country tomorrow in response to this approval. The letter activists will deliver to Labor MPs can be found here. 

ENDS

Kelly Albion is available for comment on 0422 636 775