The NSW Opposition has introduced legislation to prevent offshore coal, gas, mineral and petroleum mining and exploration in NSW waters, fulfilling an election commitment and renewing calls for the Federal Labor Government to prevent offshore mining in neighbouring Commonwealth waters.
The Minerals Legislation Amendment (Offshore Drilling and Associated Infrastructure Prohibition) Bill 2023 was introduced in Parliament by Member for Pittwater Rory Amon.
“Pittwater is just one of many coastal electorates who hold deep concerns about the environmental impact of mining and exploration off our shore,” Mr Amon said earlier in June.
“I made clear prior to the election that this would be a priority of mine, and I am pleased that this is one of my first actions as the Member for Pittwater. This is a strong demonstration that the Coalition will continue to stand up for our communities, and the people of NSW, and act when the Labor Government fails to do so.”
Shadow Environment Minister Kellie Sloane has called on the Labor Government to support the legislation saying “the Coalition will always stand up for the environment and our communities, who have said loud and clear that care deeply about our pristine coastline”.
“The NSW and Federal Labor Governments must confirm that they support our ban, otherwise the uncertainty of future offshore exploration and mining will continue to hang
over our coastal communities,” Ms Sloane said.
On the day the Bill was introduced to Parliament, Surfers for Climate held an expert roundtable and invited every politician across both Houses of Parliament.
Surfers for Climate CEO Josh Kirkman said: “Opposition to new offshore oil and gas projects, like PEP 11, is overwhelming. This Bill will end all such projects once and for all. It should be supported by every beachgoer and politician in New South Wales who wants to protect our coastline and our way of life.”
Director of non-partisan charity Solutions for Climate Australia, Dr Barry Traill, said the Bill created a huge opportunity.
“I strongly congratulate the NSW Coalition for stepping up their efforts to ban offshore coal, gas, mineral and petroleum mining and exploration in NSW waters. This move should encourage governments right across Australia to ban these types of activities across our coastline to protect the environment and to drive down emissions,” Dr Traill said.
The Bill can be viewed here.