SYDNEY – 23 July 2024 – Greenpeace Australia Pacific has today condemned the Federal Resources Minister’s announcement that gives fossil fuel producers a green light for more toxic, polluting gas ‘exploration’ across our coasts.
Additionally, Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King has announced that ten permits will be provided for offshore carbon capture and storage exploration.
“Billions of taxpayer dollars have already been wasted on the failed carbon dumping fantasies of gas executives. How many times do these projects need to fail before we see them for what they are – a distraction from the clean energy solutions we have available right now,” Greenpeace Australia Pacific Head of Climate and Energy Joe Rafalowicz said.
“Just as farmers stopped carbon being dumped into the Great Artesian Basin poisoning our water supply, Australians won’t stand for oil companies burying their carbon pollution in our oceans.
“Greedy fossil fuel companies, like Woodside, use every excuse under the sun to keep drilling our oceans for gas – even the magical ‘carbon dumping unicorn’ – but the future lies in proven renewables like wind and solar.
“Allowing new carbon dumping permits is a step backwards for this Government: the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the world’s top scientists at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have been clear – even if CCS worked (which it doesn’t), there is no justification for any new fossil fuel projects in a world going to net zero.
“A Government that is serious about climate action will stop spending millions of taxpayer funds on carbon dumping, and would instead invest in a just, affordable, rapid clean energy transition.
“The Albanese Government should be setting out their timeline to implement the agreement they signed at COP28 to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, not approving permits for new gas and throwing money at half-baked ideas that prolong it.”
In May the Federal Government released its ‘Future Gas Strategy’ – which Greenpeace Australia Pacific called “a betrayal of the Labor Government’s commitment to the Australian and Pacific communities to deliver urgent, accelerated climate action.”
—ENDS—
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact Lisa Wills on 0456 206 021 and/or lwills@greenpeace.org
The conference is one of the largest aimed at preparing for hurricane season, which begins June 1. A task force report on potential reforms to the agency also remains on hold.
ORLANDO, Fla.—A major conference to help communities prepare for hurricane season kicked off Monday without the agency that coordinates federal disaster response.
Right now, Greenpeace activists are standing up to Big Gas at a major gas conference in Sydney.
Inside the Sheraton Grand Hotel, executives from fossil fuel companies have gathered alongside lobbyists, investors and political allies to plan the future of gas in Australia – and how to maximise their profits.
So Greenpeace has stepped in to call it out. Activists have dropped a banner inside the venue with a clear message: Gas Execs Profit. We Pay The Price.
We need your help to spread the message that we won’t stand by and let this happen.
What’s really going on
Gas corporations are making billions in windfall profits from global conflicts – from Ukraine to Iran – while Australians pay the price with higher energy bills and climate damage.
And they want more.
More drilling. More exports. More profit.
Why Greenpeace took action today
This conference is where it all comes together. Behind closed doors, gas executives, lobbyists, investors and political allies are meeting to push for more gas expansion, no doubt using global instability as their justification.
That’s why Greenpeace couldn’t let this gathering go uninterrupted.
Big Gas is counting on people not paying attention. Let’s prove them wrong.
Share the video to call out Big Gas.
What needs to happen now
Gas is expensive. It’s volatile. And it ties our energy system to global instability.
But there is a better way. Renewable energy is already cheaper, more reliable, and made right here in Australia. It’s the fastest path to lower bills, real energy security and a safer climate.
To get there, we need to:
- properly tax the gas industry and its exports
- stop expanding gas
- and speed up the transition to homegrown renewable energy.
Share this video far and wide to show just how much support there is to tax Big Gas properly and speed up the transition to renewable energy.
This is just the beginning
This action is part of a growing movement to stand up to Big Gas and challenge the power it holds over our government and society. The Federal Government has a role to play – starting by taxing gas corporations properly and then accelerating the transition to homegrown renewable energy.
Together, we can show just how much support there is for change and make it impossible for decision-makers to ignore.
What you can do
- Follow along on our social channels.
- Share the video far and wide to show how much support there is.
- Sign the petition to tell Albo to stand up to Big Gas – because if we can, he can.
BREAKING: Greenpeace activists disrupt major gas conference in Sydney
SYDNEY, Tuesday 31 March 2026 — Two Greenpeace Australia Pacific activists have been arrested following a peaceful protest at the Australian Domestic Gas Outlook conference in Sydney, where they dropped a banner that said — “Gas Execs Profit. We Pay The Price” and held banners saying “Tax Gas Profits”.
Photos and B Roll video of the protest and arrests are available here
Live updates on Greenpeace Instagram
The two activists were arrested by police around 9:00am AEDT and taken to Day Street Police Station. Information on this morning’s gas conference disruption can be found here.
Solaye Snider, Campaigner at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: “Greenpeace activists have taken a strong stand today against profit hungry gas corporations and lobbyists, who see horrific global wars as an opportunity to price gouge and profiteer, while everyday people pay the price.
“Australians have had enough of gas corporations like Santos and ConocoPhillips ripping us off, leaving us with nothing but empty pockets and climate damage. The gas industry is aggressively lobbying against being fairly taxed and pushing to drill for more gas. Change requires showing up and speaking out, and that’s what these activists have done today.
“Greenpeace Australia Pacific stands by our activists, and stands with all communities who are peacefully fighting for a safe and clean energy future. The right to peaceful protest is a fundamental pillar of a healthy democracy and a basic right of all Australians.”
-ENDS-
Media contacts:
Lucy Keller: +61 491 135 308 or lkeller@greenpeace.org or Kate O’Callaghan: +61 406 231 892 or kate.ocallaghan@greenpeace.org
Greenpeace activists arrested after disrupting major gas conference in Sydney
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