XRWA Grandparents lock-on protest at Woodside HQ in Perth
Extinction Rebellion Australia, 12 Dec 2021
Woodside's 'gas led recovery' will make the $16.5 billion Scarborough gas project the most polluting fossil fuel project ever approved in Australia.
The rebels' action brings attention to the ecocide going on behind closed doors and expresses their outrage at not being heard by governments.
Les Harrison from XRWA Grandparents pointed out that:
“The rest of the world is saying ‘No more gas’ and our government is going ahead with it.”
After a stand-off lasting several hours, firefighters were called to cut the rebels free on Friday afternoon. No arrests were made, and authorities confirmed that the protesters won’t be billed for the callout.
One protester said:
“I’ll do anything, as long as it’s non-violent, and as long as we’re just disrupting peacefully – I’d do anything to express my grief for my granddaughter’s future.”
The XRWA Grandparents had earlier set up camp outside Woodside as a 24/7 vigil for children, who they say will die as a result of climate change.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) are in agreement: we cannot afford any new fossil fuel projects if we are to avoid the worst climate outcomes. Woodside’s Scarborough gas development would produce emissions equal to over 15 coal fired power stations, yet Premier McGowan has suggested he would change the law if a court bid to stop Scarborough Gas was successful.
Scarborough gas also threatens the globally significant Murujuga Aboriginal rock art at the Burrup Peninsula and will destroy precious marine life. If Woodside were really part of a better future, they’d stop Scarborough gas. If the WA Government took their duty of care seriosly, they would not allow any new fossil fuel developments.
People power stopped Woodside’s gas project at James Price Point in 2013. The case study James Price Point/Walmadan – a Huge Win can be found on the CounterAct website.
Extinction Rebellion Western Australia believe that if groups opposing the project come together, the same can happen with Scarborough. It’s time to take direct action against fossil fuel companies and governments who are conspiring to destroy the climate for short-term profit. History proves that disruption works. We refuse to be ignored.
See the Conservation Council of WA report Why the Scarborough LNG development cannot proceed: How Woodside and BHP’s Scarborough to Pluto LNG project undermines global action on climate change and places World Heritage at risk (Search for ‘Scarborough’ on The Australia Institute research reports web page).
