Thursday, 20 June 2024

Western Victoria Region

Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) (12:41): (950) My question is for the Minister for Energy and Resources. Earlier this year New South Wales passed legislation banning offshore gas exploration in state waters, and a mere three months later this Victorian Labor government went ahead and approved further gas extraction in state waters just down the road from the iconic Twelve Apostles. Communities along the coast of Western Victoria, including along the Great Ocean Road, in the south-west and in Port Fairy, are outraged. This government have lured their voters with false proclamations of being committed to a safe climate future, yet they continue to support fossil fuels. Opening new gas projects in a climate crisis is criminal. The burning of methane gas is one of the greatest contributors to climate change, and we must transition away from it immediately. Minister, will you reverse your decision to approve Beach Energy’s Enterprise project?