The Greens have slammed the Albanese Government decision to approve 151 new gas wells for Senex Energy, co-owned by Gina Rinehart. The approval threatens more than 500 hundreds of hectares of koala habitat and billions of litres of water.
Key Points:
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Minister Plibersek approved 151 new gas wells yesterday, threatening more than 500 hectares of koala habitat in Qld
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Senex gas wells are backed by Gina Rinehart and connected to her gas pipeline, approved weeks ago by Minister
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Labor's weak environment laws are before parliament today, would not stop similar approvals
Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens Spokesperson for the Environment and Water:
"Today Gina Rinehart is cheering the Government's approval of 151 new gas wells, threatening more than 500 hectares of koala habitat.
"This will kill koalas, waste billions of litres of water and fuel the climate crisis.
"In the very week Labor's weak environment laws are before the Parliament, the Environment Minister is backing more fossil fuels and more destruction.
"There's nothing in Labor's weak environment laws to stop these catastrophic approvals continuing, which is why the Greens are pushing to fix the laws with a ban on native forest logging and a climate trigger."
Adam Bandt MP is Greens Leader, Spokesperson for Climate & Energy:
"Labor are climate frauds.
"Tanya Plibersek has just approved a massive new Gina Rinehart gas project to run until 2080, well after Labor says Australia will be at net zero emissions.
"There is now next to no difference between Labor and the Liberals when it comes to coal and gas.
"It's no wonder people are increasingly saying it is getting more difficult to tell Labor and the Liberals apart."
