Today the Albanese government announced formal approval of the extension of the Woodside North West Gas Shelf project to 2070, the centrepiece of the most polluting fossil fuel project in the southern hemisphere.
In July, Justice Wigney of the Federal Court, found that the Torres Strait Islands, people and culture are being “ravaged by human-induced climate change” and that “climate change poses an existential threat to all humanity” in his decision in the landmark case brought by Torres Strait Islanders. Climate scientists say that the Torres Strait will not survive an increase higher than 1.5 degrees.
Dr Aunty McRose, a senior Torres Strait Elder, said, “It is galling that Albanese met with Pacific leaders yesterday, and then as soon as he turns his back and hops on his plane home, he announces the approval of yet another fossil fuel project. It will be a death sentence for the Torres Strait and our Pacific brothers and sisters. The science is clear, we must have net zero by 2035 and no more fossil fuel projects.”
Aunty McRose is available for interview.
Media contact: Belinda Lowe 0428 805 696