Labor leader Bill Shorten promises to commission oil spill impact study for Great Australian Bight

UPDATED: Labor has promised to commission an independent scientific study into the potential impact of an oil spill in the Great Australian Bight if it wins the election.

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Labor has promised to commission an independent scientific study into the potential impact of an oil spill in the Great Australian Bight if it wins the election.

In a move aimed to set Labor apart from the Coalition on the issue, Labor leader Bill Shorten has announced that if he is elected “one of my first decisions will be to get an oil spill study”.

“We want to understand what are the consequences, and I think that is what is concerning a lot of our surfers and people who care about our coastline,” Mr Shorten said.

Liberals campaign spokesman Simon Birmingham labelled the announcement a stunt aimed at trying to play into local populism.

“There will be a review, but Labor aren’t actually saying what they will do with the review, and if it will change the outcome at all,” Senator Birmingham said.

This is the first time Labor have declared a position that differs from the Coalition on drilling in The Bight.

Both Labor and the Coalition have consistently maintained they would rely on the advice of the independent umpire, NOPSEMA, to determine if Norwegian oil company Equinor’s plan to drill The Bight was safe.

The Greens and Centre Alliance have campaigned strongly against drilling.

Labor Senator Penny Wong said: “Given the sensitivity of The Bight and, frankly, the community concerns, which are well known .... we would want more study before the project would proceed.

“I think that is the sensible approach. If we are elected, it is reasonable for the Prime Minister of the day to ensure himself that the issue of a potential oil spill – and we have seen such devastating consequences of such oil spills elsewhere – it’s probably resolved by improving confidence in that.”

A Labor spokesman told The Advertiser the purpose of the “independent scientific study” was to help inform the decision making of NOPSEMA.

“Our study will increase the capacity of the independent regulator to properly make an assessment,” he said.

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In February, Equinor released an environmental report in a bid to reassure the public its $200 million plan to drill The Bight was safe.

It has constantly defended its safety record.

Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association director Matthew Doman said he welcomed Mr Shorten’s focus on building understanding of the impacts of offshore oil and gas activity.

“These impacts are already thoroughly examined and subject to rigorous, independent, science-based regulation,” Mr Doman said.

“But too often public discussion is distorted by false and exaggerated claims from opponents of development. It is essential political leadership helps counter this.”

Greens environment spokeswoman Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said Mr Shorten would have to commit to acting on the review when it “inevitably” showed drilling in The Bight was not worth the risk.

“An oil spill will devastate SA’s economy, putting thousands of South Australians out of a job. It would destroy Australia’s southern coastline,” Senator Hanson-Young said.

Wilderness Society SA director Peter Owen – who is in Norway raising concerns about drilling in The Bight with politicians – said the review was positive, however, three lots of modelling was already publicly available.

“We know the magnitude of the risk here,” Mr Owen said.