Good news for the Bight but more work to be done

Posted February 25, 2020

Centre Alliance welcomes today's news that Equinor has abandoned its plans to drill for oil and gas in the Great Australian Bight, but notes the fight is not over yet.

Centre Alliance Environmental spokesperson Senator Rex Patrick said "This is welcome news. This is a project that would have delivered very little economic benefit to Australians but would've brought significant risk to the environment and our fishing and tourism industries."

"Centre Alliance thanks all of those who have fought long and hard against this flawed project. However the fight is not over yet, we need to make sure that no one steps in to take Equinor's place."

Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie said "Today's news is a win for our environment and the families and small businesses in our community who rely on the beauty and bounty of our oceans for their livelihoods. But now the Government must step up and provide greater protections for the Great Australian Bight."

"We need national heritage listing for the Bight because the oil and gas are still there. If we do not have robust protections for this pristine environment it will be under constant threat from other companies seeking to drill there."