The Greens have called for the resignation of NT EPA chairperson Paul Vogel following revelations about a major methane leak at Darwin LNG kept secret by gas companies and government agencies for years.
ABC reporting has suggested the scale of leaking pollutants could be equivalent to 8,300 new cars on the road for every year the leaking tank is in use. The ABC also reported Mr Vogel was involved in key decisions around the Darwin Liquefied Natural Gas plant (DLNG) without disclosing his paid role with the lobbying firm representing DLNG shareholder INPEX.
Greens Spokesperson for Transition and Northern Australia, Senator Penny Allman-Payne will join with NT Greens MLA Kat McNamara in Darwin this Thursday to call for Mr Vogel's resignation and urge the permanent closure of the leaking DLNG facility.
As stated by Greens Spokesperson for Environment, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young:
"It is untenable for a regulator chair to have been moonlighting as a lobbyist.
"There is a clear perception of a conflict of interest in this case. Dr Vogel's position is untenable and he should resign.
"The regulators knew about the leak and they did nothing about it - the responsible ministers need to act quickly to clean up their act and stop doing favours for their mates in coal and gas boardrooms."
As stated by Greens Spokesperson for Transition and Northern Australia, Senator Penny Allman-Payne:
"Paul Vogel's position is untenable and he should resign."
"This enormous methane leak, kept hidden by multiple regulators for 19 years, is a massive climate crime committed for fossil fuel profits at the expense of the people of Darwin and our planet."
"Federal Labor are lining up to knowingly allow the new Barossa field to send gas into the leaking tank."
"They are intentionally allowing Santos to leak dangerous methane for another two decades."
"Labor needs to stop doing favours for coal and gas, and they need to start acting for climate communities."
As stated by NT Greens MLA Kat McNamara:
"Dr Paul Vogel must resign."
"The CLP Government must take a stand against this and ensure that our statutory regulators are completely independent."
"Territorians are sick of dodgy back-door deals, the revolving door between decision making and lobbyists and decisions being made in the best interest of industry rather than our communities."
"The Northern Territory has a serious integrity problem and we cannot stand by and allow the weakening of independent regulatory bodies."
"This is a mockery of the Northern Territory governance and sends a signal to big industry that favourable decisions can be bought.
