MEDIA ADVISORY
May 21, 2020

The group advising on the Covid-19 recovery wants to accelerate the development of new gas fields in the Northern Territory’s Beetaloo Basin and recommends that Australian taxpayers underwrite a massive expansion of this failing industry. 

“Public money should not be used to build polluting pipelines,” said Jimmy Cocking from the Arid Lands Environment Centre.

“The recovery from the coronavirus offers the Territory a chance to build back better with a cleaner, sustainable and renewable powered economy. 

“Instead we’ve got a national task force stacked with gas reps proposing to fast track projects that benefit big business, lock us into fossil fuel dependency and put the health and safety of our communities at risk.  

“Most Territorians support a transition to clean energy and want to move away from dirty, dangerous fracking that threatens our precious groundwater supply and pollutes our air. 

“There are sustainable recovery measures being proposed around the world, not just by climate activists and conservationists, but by industry, energy companies, banks and major investors who understand the future risks posed by climate change. Let’s not get left behind in the Territory.

“This pandemic is an opportunity to decarbonise and create jobs that are good for the environment and the climate. We want to see our leaders show wisdom and foresight, instead of pandering to the interests of its big business backers.”

Image: "Orange Industry" by mjsonline, source Flickr