Oil and gas exploration
Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) (10:00): ‘Protect southern sea country from seismic blasting and oil and gas exploration’ – that was the message from hundreds of community members who I joined on a wild and windy weekend on Gunditjmara country at Koontapool Yakeen, or Logans Beach. We listened to the powerful stories of whale dreaming custodian Yaraan Couzens Bundle, who told us of the deep connection between First Peoples and sea country. It was a beautiful gathering filled with music, art and positive connection. Organisations including Southern Ocean Protection Embassy Collective, Otway Coastal Environment Action Network, the Australian Marine Conservation Society, Fight for the Bight Port Fairy, Surfrider Foundation and many others all came together for a common cause. Oil and gas companies are plundering our oceans, destroying marine life with seismic blasting and exploration, fuelling the climate crisis all just to line their pockets. Governments, including Victorian Labor, have sold out their communities and sold out our futures to the gas companies by continuing to approve new gas projects. But communities coming together like this can stop them. We have done it before and we will do it again.