The NT Gunner Government’s disappointing decision to appoint two pro-gas cheerleaders to the head of its Economic Reconstruction Commission is short sighted at a time when renewables should be leading the post-coronavirus recovery, according to Protect Country Alliance.
The government today named Dow Chemical executive and Saudi Aramco board member Andrew Liveris as one of the Commission’s chairs, and former Chief Minister, Energy Club NT co-founder, and onshore gas advocate Paul Henderson as the other.
Protect Country Alliance spokesperson Dan Robins said the gas industry had utterly captured the Gunner Government, despite a majority of Territorians being opposed to fracking.
“Australia’s gas fracking industry has suffered massive setbacks in the past few months due to the oil price crisis and the coronavirus-driven economic slowdown, yet Michael Gunner refuses to see the writing on the wall,” he said.
“Both of these men have been cheerleaders for the gas fracking industry. Andrew Liveris has a long history of business deals with the shale gas industry in the US, while Paul Henderson is the man who signed the INPEX contracts that have seen huge amounts of gas sold overseas while the NT economy falls further and further into debilitating debt.
“The way to supercharge and future proof our economy is undoubtedly renewables. We have a chance to create a clean, future-looking economy, yet Michael Gunner wants to tie us to tired old fossil fuels by appointing these gasmen to head the Reconstruction Commission.”
Beyond Zero Emissions' 10 Gigawatt Vision last year mapped out plans for a renewable powered manufacturing industry in the Northern Territory.
“We have the world’s best solar resources, yet the Gunner Government continues to use tens of millions of Territorian taxpayer dollars to prop up the unstable fracking industry,” Mr Robins said.
“The public purse certainly should not have to pay for these private fracking companies to lay waste to land, water, and communities.
“It is ludicrous that we should be subsidising and promoting the polluting, economically unviable fracking industry when renewable energy can provide cheaper, cleaner and more reliable future industries.”