Anti-fracking alliance takes NT Environment Minister to court over Tamboran’s Beetaloo exploration

A dramatic tug of war between ‘gas executives’ and anti-fracking protesters has played out on the steps of the Supreme Court ahead of a legal challenge against Tamboran’s Beetaloo project.

Anti-fracking protesters dressed as gas company executives lose in a tug-of-war during a demonstration at the steps of the Supreme Court. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Anti-fracking protesters have gathered on the steps of the Supreme Court ahead of a legal challenge against the government’s approval of Tamboran’s gas exploration in the Territory.

As part of the demonstration about 40 people participated in a tug of war, with activists dressed as gas executives in “Make Gas Great Again” caps losing dramatically to a crowd of “people-power” on the other end of the rope.

Legal action was launched by the Central Australian Frack Free Alliance against former Environment Minister Lauren Moss’s approval of Tamboran digging 12 exploratory wells in the Beetaloo Basin.

The challenge, heard in court on Tuesday, argued Ms Moss’s decision failed to properly consider how the exploration project could enable future gas projects across the Beetaloo and their climate impacts.

“What we’re saying is, it doesn’t make any sense for you to only look at the environmental impacts of these 12 wells,” CAFFA spokeswoman Hannah Ekin said.

“Because what they do is they lock us into a path of more and more wells – Tamboran isn’t going to stop at 12 wells.”

Adam Gaston said he had seen the effects of climate change at his home near Mataranka. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Speaking outside the Darwin court, Mangarrayi man Adam Gaston said he was moved to protest due to changes he had seen over his lifetime at his home at Mole Hill outstation, near Mataranka.

“I’m only in my thirties and I’ve already seen massive changes to my country because of climate change,” he said.

“The seasons are all wrong and the animals that used to be there and provide food for us are disappearing as a result.

“If we keep going like this there’s going to be nothing left, we’ve got to stop this fracking for gas.”

A sister protest was held in Sydney on Tuesday morning outside the Tamboran Resources annual general meeting, with Traditional Owners from the NT travelling south in an attempt to meet with executives of the major gas company face-to-face.

Last week new analysis by Climate Analytics into the potential emissions from Beetaloo and Middle Arm gas projects found current projections had been “gravely underestimated”.

The research called into question findings in a CSIRO report which stated the proposed fracking would add “no net increase” to Australia’s emissions, meaning the project met a key recommendation of the Pepper inquiry.

CSIRO stood by its research, saying its scientists had “delivered a robust and detailed technical analysis, confirmed through an intensive peer review process”.

SEE THE PICS

“Y’all are failing to think about how much money can be made in the next 10 to 15 years,” protesters dressed as gas executives said. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Anti-fracking activists dressed as gas executives lost dramatically to a crowd of “people-power” in a game of tug of war. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Anti-fracking activists dressed as gas executives lost dramatically to a crowd of “people-power” in a game of tug of war. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Protesters at an anti-fracking demonstration in Darwin ahead of a Supreme Court challenge against former Environment Minister Lauren Moss’s approval of Tamboran’s exploration fracking project in the Beetaloo. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Protesters at an anti-fracking demonstration in Darwin ahead of a Supreme Court challenge against former Environment Minister Lauren Moss’s approval of Tamboran’s exploration fracking project in the Beetaloo. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“We know from past experience that fracking is dangerous … the government better wake up and listen to the people of the Territory,” said Arrernte and Warlpiri Elder Peltherre Chris Tomlins. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Originally published as Anti-fracking alliance takes NT Environment Minister to court over Tamboran’s Beetaloo exploration