The Australian Greens have welcomed Labor's confirmation today that the party opposes the renewal of the Petroleum Exploration Permit 11 (PEP11) licence, which allows oil and gas drilling off the NSW coast.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi, Greens Senator for NSW, said:
"This clear position from Labor will be welcomed by communities across NSW, and indeed across the country. Now all eyes are on the Coalition to see sense and outright reject PEP11.
"Today's news is a result of the tireless activism of tens of thousands in the community who have pressured politicians on this matter. There is absolutely no case for drilling dirty fossil fuels off the beautiful NSW coastline.
"Drilling for fossil fuels risks irreversible damage to our climate, coasts, oceans and the wonderful marine life that lives within. It will hurt local industries and communities that depend on our oceans and coasts.
"From the outset, I've been working with the community who have been united in opposition to the renewal of PEP11. This shows the power of people to push for change," she said.
Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, Greens spokesperson for Healthy Oceans, said:
"It's good to see Labor confirm their position on banning oil and gas drilling in PEP11 after voting to support a Greens Senate motion calling for this.
"The Greens welcome any allies in our fight against dangerous seismic testing and proposals to drill for fossil fuels off our pristine coastlines.
"The decision from Labor to oppose oil and gas drilling off the coast of NSW will give hope to climate, coastal and marine campaigners right around the country.
"It would only be logical for Labor to now join the Greens and Tasmanian Liberal MP Gavin Pearce in publicly opposing plans to explore for oil and gas off the coast of King Island.
"In this time of climate emergency our oceans are warming rapidly and the changes we are seeing in our marine environment, such as repeated mass coral bleaching, are catastrophic.
