Territory community groups say Federal Labor politicians in the NT have broken their promise to apply the expanded water trigger to dangerous fracking projects, after Tamboran announced it had begun work at its Shenandoah South shale gas fracking pilot in the Beetaloo Basin.
Frack Free NT spokesperson Alex Broers said, “The Northern Territory’s federal representatives Marion Scrymgour and Malarndirri McCarthy promised their constituents they would expand and use the water trigger to help protect communities from fracking. They have broken this promise.
“Territorians are profoundly disappointed that the Albanese Government has not used the law it created for its designed purpose.
“The Federal Government will be held partly to blame for whatever harm now comes to the aquifers, waterways, and environments where this fracking pilot is underway because it failed to do the bare minimum and call this project in.”
Central Australian Frack Free Alliance spokesperson Hannah Ekin said, “The Territory election showed people are upset with Labor and sick of this party not taking action consistent with its promises. A lot of people in the NT are really worried about what is being done to our water and climate, and Federal Labor is dragging its heels and allowing this harm to be done.
“Tamboran’s announcement is profoundly disappointing, but we remain committed to the fight against fracking. The community is determined, even if the Albanese Government doesn’t have the strength to deliver its own promises on water and climate.
“It’s up to all of us to keep fighting for what is right - to keep this gas in the ground - and that’s what we’re going to do.”
ENDS