Tomorrow, the Australian Pipelines and Gas Association Conference will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre. The Hon. Tom Koutsantonis, the Malinauskas Government’s Minister for Energy will be the keynote speaker.
The SA Greens condemn the Malinauskas Government’s decision to platform this event, just days after the Premier announced South Australia will face a high-risk bushfire season.
Protests are planned outside the conference, decrying the Australian Pipeline and Gas Association for its’ involvement in the Beetaloo Basin fracking project in the Northern Territory. The project has been described as a ‘climate bomb’.
Quotes attributable to Tammy Franks MLC, SA Greens Spokesperson for the Environment:
Just last week, the Premier warned of the devastating impacts of climate change, acknowledging the risk South Australians face as we head into a high-risk bushfire season. Yet, this week, his government is now rolling out the red carpet for the industries responsible.
It’s blatant hypocrisy to declare a climate emergency, then turn around and bolster the oil and gas industry. The Malinauskas Government’s actions are shameful, putting corporate profits before the wellbeing and safety of our community.
The Malinauskas Government is aiding and abetting the corporations driving the climate crisis. A government that claims to take climate seriously has no business hosting or speaking at a conference for oil and gas conglomerates.