13 November 2026
The state's leading environmental advocacy organisation, Nature Conservation Council NSW (NCC), strongly opposes this morning's announcement by One Nation that the party would rip up the ban on offshore gas exploration in NSW if given the chance.
In an article published by The Australian, One Nation NSW leader, Mike Newman, said the party is "pro-fossil fuel" and it would overturn a state ban on offshore gas exploration, and "won't stand in the way" of the PEP-11 project off the NSW Hunter region, if the party wins power in the NSW election in March.
Quotes attributed to NCC Senior Climate Campaigner, Jacqui Mills:
"The ban on offshore gas exploration came about from a hard fought battle with communities along our coastlines. Offshore gas impacts these communities and nature including marine mammals through threat of oil spills - not to mention the additional climate pollution spewed into the atmosphere.
"The argument we need more gas supply is a furphy. There is enough gas to go around, Australia needs to stop sending it overseas. That would bring down energy prices for households and businesses here in NSW.
"If offshore gas gets the green tick of approval, we can expect the same for fossil fuel projects including expansions and extensions of polluting coal mines. According to this morning's article, One Nation has already announced plans to build a coal-fired power station if it secures power in the March election.
"NCC urges all candidates and parties for the upcoming state election to rule out new coal and gas developments and commit to the shift to renewable, clean energy for a safe future."
