Anthony Albanese has been accused of being “arrogant” for not committing to kill off a controversial fuel drilling mission off the NSW coast.
Despite what the Greens described as “broad consensus” that the PEP-11 mission shouldn’t go forward, the prime minister has but to stipulate his authorities’s place ought to a courtroom overturn Scott Morrison’s determination to scrap it.
Mr Morrison made that decision after swearing himself in as assets minister, prompting Asset Energy to launch authorized motion arguing that he had breached procedural equity necessities and wasn’t validly appointed because the accountable minister of the joint authority.
Asked by Greens MP Elizabeth Watson-Brown on Wednesday if he would cease the “vandalism” off NSW’s shoreline, Mr Albanese would not decide to stopping the mission regardless.
“There has been legal action to ensure the decision be made in accordance with the law,” he informed parliament.
“This government will make decisions in accordance with the law … to do otherwise is to ensure there will be another court case.”
On Thursday, Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson pointed to Mr Albanese’s earlier feedback that “our position on PEP-11 is clear, it’s a bad idea and only a Labor government will stop it, no ifs, no buts”.
“It was pretty obvious to me watching his patronising and arrogant response to my colleague that it’s up to the law to decide … it makes a mockery of his strong opposition and his election promise to kill this project,” Senator Whish-Wilson informed parliament.
“Why did our prime minister make such a clear pre-election statement if he was going to fall back on it being a matter of law and procedure that was out of his hands?”
The senator’s feedback got here throughout debate round his Fight for Australia’s Coastline Bill, designed to completely shield the PEP-11 allow space from drilling.
“It’s plain and simple insanity to keep exploring the exact same product knowing full well when we burn it, it is directly killing our oceans as we have been lucky enough to know them,” Senator Whish-Wilson mentioned.
Labor senator Tim Ayres reiterated the federal government’s stance for ready for the method earlier than the courts.
“What you don’t do is take one-off action that undermines global collective action,” he informed parliament.
“It’s at best wrong-headed.”
Independent senator David Pocock mentioned there was broad consensus that the mission should not go forward, together with from the group, scientists and the prime minister himself.
“Climate science is clear – we cannot afford any new fossil fuel projects,” he informed parliament.
“You’ll hear that weaponised by the major parties, saying if you say we shouldn’t have any new projects you’re against fossil fuels … that is not correct.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au