Greens – Election date marks first anniversary of Montara oil disaster

Election date marks first anniversary of Montara oil disaster

Media Release | Spokesperson Rachel Siewert
Friday 20th August 2010, 11:31am
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in Marine Marine Parks Montara oil spill

Saturday’s Federal Election coincides with the first anniversary of the Montara drilling rig disaster on 21st August 2009, which is estimated to have spilled oil across more than 90,000km2 of the Timor Sea.

“One year on from the Montara spill, the Australian people are still waiting for a response from the Commonwealth Government,” Australian Greens Marine spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

“We have seen a swift and decisive response to the recent crisis in the Gulf of Mexico on the part of the US Government, but a full year after Montara, not only has Australia failed to act to fix the problems with our offshore oil and gas regulation, the report into the disaster is still nowhere to be seen,” Senator Siewert said.

“Meanwhile, polling conducted by the Australian Greens indicates that four out of five West Australians (78%) think that stronger regulations for the oil and gas industry are a good idea.

“When asked what they considered the most important issue, three out of five West Australians (61%) regarded better oil and gas regulation as ‘important’, with one in five (20%) saying it was their top priority.

“The West Australian community are clearly indicating that better oil and gas regulation are a major priority.

“We do not want to see another disaster like Montara threatening our precious marine environment and coastline.

“The response of both major parties on oil and gas regulation and marine protection issues in this election campaign has been totally pitiful.

“The ALP are promoting oil rigs just off the Margaret River coast and the Coalition are saying they will stop further marine protection. Only the Greens have come out with a clear and positive policy response,” said Senator Siewert.

The Greens policy calls for:
1. A moratorium on deepwater exploration and drilling of new wells
2. Regulatory overhaul of the offshore petroleum industry
3. A comprehensive international regime for offshore oil and gas activities
4. Comprehensive environmental impact assessments, baseline data and monitoring
5. A “polluter pays” statutory liability regime for offshore petroleum activities
6. Suspension of areas recently opened for exploration until the regional marine planning process is completed
7. A network of marine sanctuaries which includes the Naturaliste Plateau

“People clearly want stronger oil and gas regulation – if the Government aren’t prepared to act, then the Greens will introduce a Private Members Bill in the Senate,” concluded Senator Siewert.

Read The Greens’ Oil Spill Initiative on our Election Policies page.

Read The Greens’ Marine Reserves policy on our Election Policies page.

* Polling of WA voters conducted by The Greens with the assistance of Research Now online polling company. 570 respondents were selected to represent the age and sex demographics of WA.