Stop Fracking in the Northern Territory

This year the Federal government announced $550 million in subsidies to the gas industry, including $50 million for fracking development in Beetaloo basin in the Northern Territory [1].

But an incredible campaign led by Traditional Owners called for an inquiry into this outrageous cash splash for destructive gas - and last week the inquiry passed through the Senate! This is a huge opportunity in the fight to stop fracking in the NT.

Traditional Owners in the NT are standing up against fracking that threats to emit toxic fumes, destroy sacred sites, pollute the air, poison waterways and make people sick.

Right ...

This year the Federal government announced $550 million in subsidies to the gas industry, including $50 million for fracking development in Beetaloo basin in the Northern Territory [1].

But an incredible campaign led by Traditional Owners called for an inquiry into this outrageous cash splash for destructive gas - and last week the inquiry passed through the Senate! This is a huge opportunity in the fight to stop fracking in the NT.

Traditional Owners in the NT are standing up against fracking that threats to emit toxic fumes, destroy sacred sites, pollute the air, poison waterways and make people sick.

Right now Traditional Owners are making submissions to the inquiry and they are asking us to stand with them by making submissions too.

This is a critical moment for us to take action, while politicians from all parties are paying attention and listening to communities on the frontline of the climate crisis.

We need the Government to stop opening new gas fields, listen to Traditional Owners and use public money for public good.

The inquiry was announced just last week but submissions close next week on Wednesday (July 7 at midday) so we need to get our submissions in now.

Will you lodge a submission to the senate inquiry and stand with Traditional Owners?

Image credit: SeedMob, Origin Energy AGM, 2019

[1] ‘Fracking Inquiry for the Beetaloo Basin,’ National Indigenous Times, 25 June 2021.

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Tell the Inquiry to say no to fracking in the NT

For this inquiry, we’ll have the most impact if each submission is unique. Use the guide below to build your submission. Add any extra information or personal reasons for your concern.

What to say in your submission:

Listen to Traditional Owners
Traditional Owners are leading a powerful campaign to stop the ongoing threat of fracking on their Country. It’s important here not to speak for Traditional Owners but ask the committee members to listen to Traditional Owners and their submissions.

Traditional Owners sent a powerful letter to Parliament to stop the threat of fracking on their country, outlining their concerns about lack of consent and the power of the big mining corporation and the government.

Climate Change Impacts
Gas is a fossil fuel driving the climate crisis, we need to stop opening new gas fields and start transitioning to 100% renewable energy. The Beetaloo Basin contains the second largest prospective gas reserves in Australia. If fracking in the Beetaloo goes ahead, it is predicted that the gas production would create 70 million tonnes of CO2 every year.

You can add details about your personal concerns about the impacts of climate change and risks of fracking gas.

No public money for gas
Public money should be used for public good, not given to some of Australia’s biggest corporations such as Origin, Empire and Santos.

The corporations that will benefit from this policy pay little or no tax and make donations to the Liberal National Party who are trying to get this legislation through parliament.

There are thousands of better ways to spend public money. Add ideas about what you would rather see $50 million dollars of public go towards.

Water contamination
Fracking is known to impact water safety and contaminate drinking water. Fracking corporations often claim protocols that minimise risk, but this is not good enough.

Many Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory are living with water that is contaminated above national guidelines. Fracking in the Beetaloo could lead to these corporations contaminating more water.

Add additional points about water and how you feel about this policy that could see millions of dollars of public money being spent on containmating water.

Where do you live?

Compose your email

Name

Email

Subject:

Dear Minister,

I am writing to you about the upcoming disallowance vote on the Industry Research and Development (Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program) Instrument 2021 (F2021L00567). The program allocates $50 million of public money for gas corporations to open new gas wells in the Northern Territory.

Traditional Owners gave evidence at the inquiry into oil and gas exploration and production in the Beetaloo Basin to the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee and made it clear that they do not consent to fracking on their land, and called for the government to spend public money to support communities [1].

Empire Energy, chaired by long time Liberal National Party donor Paul Espie is set to receive $21 million of public money under the Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program [2].

Flacon Oil and Gas and Sweetpea Petroleum can also apply for public money to open new gas wells in the Northern Territory. The senate inquiry into the program revealed that both corporations have links with tax secrecy jurisdictions [3].

The Beetaloo Basin contains the second largest prospective gas reserves in Australia [4]. If fracking in the Beetaloo goes ahead, it is predicted that the gas production would create 70 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year. Gas is highly emissions intensive, both as a fuel and in its production. The government-assisted gas boom in Australia is the primary reason why emissions have not decreased across the last decade [5].

Public money should be used for public good, not given to some of Australia’s biggest and well-resourced corporations such as Empire Energy. Rather than funnelling public money to expand dangerous fossil fuels, we need investment in a plan to transition to renewable energy, not opening up new gas fields.

I urge you to listen to Traditional Owners, and ensure your party votes for the disallowance of this subsidy.

References:
[1] Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network and GetUp First Nations Justice submissions to the Environment and Communications Reference Committee Inquiry into oil and gas exploration and production in the Beetaloo Basin. [Online] Available at: https://www.aph.gov.au/sitecore/content/Home/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Environment_and_Communications/BeetalooBasin/Submissions 
[2] Christopher Knaus, “Beetaloo Basin Traditional Owners condemn government for fracking handouts to gas companies,” The Guardian Australia,  July 2021. 
[3] Christopher Knaus, “Beetaloo Basin Fracking Plans: Gas Companies linked to tax secrecy havens and liberal party, inquiry told,” The Guardian Australia,  July 2021. 
[4] Tom Swann., “Weapons of Gas Destruction: Lifting the lid on greenhouse gas emissions from Australian fossil fuel gas projects and resources,” The Australia Institute, September 2020. 
[5] Climate Media Centre. “Guide to Gas.” [Online PDF], https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/climate-media-centre-guide-gas/

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