Labor Is Being Called To Scrap Beetaloo Fracking Grants In Light Of ScoMo’s Portfolio Debacle
"These fracking projects threaten country, water, and our climate. Now, we know the circumstances surrounding their only lifeline - public money - threaten our democracy, too."
A petition is calling for all 2022 funding for the Beetaloo to be scrapped, amid revelations former Prime Minister Scott Morrison had absorbed the portfolio the fracking project falls under.
Campaigning group GetUp is demanding the Albanese Government review its predecessor’s decisions around the Northern Territory basin after Morrison made himself co-Minister for Resources last December. In the months since, the Coalition has approved nearly $20 million in gas exploration grants to fracking groups Imperial Oil and Gas in February, and an additional $7.5 million to Sweetpea Petroleum.
“Morrison has trashed justice, and self-served his own needs above those of an entire country,” said First Nations Justice Campaign Director at GetUp, Amy Gordon in a statement. “He has undermined ministers and made deals that would have long-lasting impact on our First Nations communities and our environment.”
“These funding decisions were made without the public knowing who was really calling the shots, and they must be reviewed,” she said. “These fracking projects threaten country, water, and our climate. Now, we know the circumstances surrounding their only lifeline — public money — threaten our democracy, too.
It was revealed on Tuesday that Morrison had secretly sworn himself in to five portfolios, including health, finance, home affairs, and treasurer, slowly absorbing the roles as far back as 2020.
“The Morrison government’s influence and their relationships with industry is completely tarnished,” said Gordon. “These deals need to be stopped immediately — they put doubts on the legitimacy of the money granted.”
“We need the Labor Government to provide stability and development for our communities in the Northern Territory and start to put people over profit and political power.”
Meanwhile, Labor said last Thursday that it will support any new fossil fuel projects that “stack up” economically and environmentally.
Traditional Owner Johnny Wilson, who lives near the Beetaloo Basin, told the ABC in August that “the Morrison Government has spent millions of dollars supporting gas companies to drill and frack our country”.
“The new Labor government has said nothing about whether they are going to do the same.”