The Victorian Greens have condemned the Victorian Labor Government for giving the tick of approval for Viva Energy's floating gas terminal in Corio Bay.
The Greens have been campaigning alongside local communities since 2022 to put an end to this dangerous, polluting, unnecessary project.
Labor's decision has shown complete contempt for the Geelong community, climate experts, and environmentalists who overwhelmingly oppose a gas import terminal in Corio bay.
In the same week that Victorian Labor approved this massive floating gas terminal, Federal Labor signed off on Woodside's North West Shelf - set to emit 6.1 billion tonnes of carbon.
The Greens say these decisions expose Labor as climate hypocrites: a total betrayal, being bought by the fossil fuel industry instead of listening to future generations.
The floating gas terminal not only presents massive health and climate risks, but it will also likely require dredging to accommodate the LNG tankers which will absolutely devastate the beautiful local marine environment.
The Greens say that there is absolutely no reason for this project to go ahead and any justification is a total sham as over 80% of Australia's gas is exported, an important terminal will actually result in Victorians buying back Australian gas at a higher price.
As stated by Greens Member for Western Victoria and Deputy Leader, Dr Sarah Mansfield:
"This is absolutely devastating news. Victorian Labor have turned their backs on our bay environment, on the health and safety of communities in Geelong, and on our climate. They have failed to listen to thousands of community members, environment groups, and experts, instead selling out to the fossil fuel lobby. It's unforgiveable.
With the North West Shelf and now this massive floating gas terminal - this week Labor has really torched what little climate credibility they had - they may as well be the Coalition at this point."
Quotes attributed to the Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell:
"First the Federal Labor Government approves Australia's biggest fossil fuel project in WA, now the Victorian state Labor Government has approved a huge floating gas ship in Victoria. These are both massive fossil fuel projects that are fuelling the climate crisis and it shows that Labor simply does not give a stuff about climate change".
