As everyday Australians fight to protect our future, Woodside and its climate-wrecking Burrup Hub project deserve far greater scrutiny, according to Greenpeace Australia Pacific.
It comes following explosive allegations of Woodside's governmental influence in Western Australia exposed in tonight's episode of Four Corners – the ABC's flagship investigative programme.
"Woodside's Burrup Hub is the biggest fossil fuel threat in Australia. If fully constructed, it would spew out more than six billion tonnes of climate pollution and will condemn Australians to more frequent and severe fires, floods and droughts. The Burrup Hub directly threatens a clean and safer future for all Australians – so it is unsurprising that more and more everyday Australians are taking a determined, peaceful stand," Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO David Ritter said today.
"Greenpeace Australia Pacific stands with all peaceful climate defenders who are advocating for real climate action.
"The real story here is the fossil fuel executives who are wrecking our oceans and our climate – not the peaceful climate defenders who are trying to stop them.
"Tonight we've seen mothers, young people and other ordinary Australians bravely refuse to bow down in the face of staggeringly frightening legal threats. It's appalling that climate-concerned Aussie parents could face up to twenty years in prison, simply for peaceful protests to defend their children's future.
"Peaceful direct actions have a long history of success in exposing environmental crimes, confronting unjust activities and stopping environmental destruction.
"Where is the sense of proportion when it comes to Woodside's climate-wrecking activities," Ritter said.
Right to protest under attack
"The freedom to protest is fundamental to our democracy, but for years, protest rights across Australia have been under sustained attack. The freedom of the press to report on protests is also under pressure.
"While powerful corporations can use their money and access to influence government, advocacy and protest are how people and communities build the visibility and awareness needed for change. In Australia in recent years, the ability to advocate for more decisive climate action has come under sustained attack, distorting policy and damaging our democracy," Ritter added.
