ON Tuesday November 21 there was a very well attended meeting at the Fremantle Town Hall entitled “Gas: The Facts. The economic and climate aspects of gas development in WA”.
The speakers included Australia Institute executive director Richard Denniss, federal independent Curtin MP Kate Chaney and federal Labor Fremantle MP Josh Wilson.
Dr Dennis produced some startling statistics, such as the federal government receiving $1.5 billion each year from oil and gas producers, but also subsidising the industry to the tune of $1.2b.
Royalties
Qatar and Australia export almost exactly the same amount of gas per year.
Qatar receives $26b in royalties and Australia receives a net of $300m. In numbers that are more relevant – it is like comparing $2,600 to $30.
Ms Chaney spoke brilliantly and as an independent national representative for the almost exclusively Liberal Party held, blue ribbon seat of Curtin, backed up Dr Dennis’ comments.
The question of everyone’s lips was, “what is Josh going to say?”
The ALP has delivered bugger all on climate change policy and cannot even set a Net Zero Emissions by 2035 target.
And sure enough – Josh struggled.
He waffled on about having a “stable” government in the face of “radical change” – which presumably referred to calling a stop to future gas developments.
He stated the Australian people had voted the Albanese government into office on their environmental and climate change mandate.
Sorry Josh – we voted the ALP in because he didn’t want Morrison. The ALP could have run on a platform of child slavery and still got in.
Best of two evils.
Within the Federal electorate of Fremantle I would suspect that the vast majority of people would be opposed to further gas exploration in the North West, and certainly opposed to tens of millions of taxpayer dollars being spent on the replacement of gas mains throughout the City of Fremantle.
These funds could have been used for electrification.
Like the AUKUS submarine deal, the electorate was telling you something very different from the party line – oh and then there is offshore detention – and don’t forget climate change policy, etc.
The toxic venom of party politics is becoming really outdated Josh – so my question …
In view of the above hypocrisies of democratic representation – isn’t it about time you joined Kate and the other community independents – (Teals) around the country and starting representing the electorate of Fremantle and not the ALP party rhetoric ?
• ROY LEWISSON is a White Gum Valley resident and climate change activist