New mayors don’t oppose drilling in the Great Australian Bight

Incoming Kangaroo Island Mayor Michael Pengilly has given his support to drilling in the Great Australian Bight, accusing environment lobbyists of a fear campaign.

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New Kangaroo Island Mayor Michael Pengilly has given his support to drilling in the Great Australian Bight and accused environmental lobbyists of a fear campaign.

The former Liberal MP’s position is a stark contrast to the island’s former mayor and anti-drilling protester Peter Clements, who received just a third of the votes at the weekend’s local government election.

It follows a Senate majority voting down a motion for an inquiry into seismic testing by the Australian Greens.

Mr Pengilly said the council has never had a motion opposing it and that oil and gas exploration in the Bight was a decision for the relevant government agency.

“I don’t oppose it, my view is very strongly that the environmental lobby have successfully run a great fear campaign against it,” Mr Pengilly said.

“Everybody is environmentally conscious these days but you need to have some clarity and common sense.

“Our economy revolves around the oil industry, we have to have energy.”

Several South Australian councils, including Port Lincoln, this year passed motions to oppose oil and gas drilling in the Bight.

But Mr Pengilly and new Port Lincoln Mayor Brad Flaherty agreed it was not an issue for local government.

Mr Flaherty, who describes himself as “pro-employment and pro-business”, said he would conform with the council’s position and consider future motions about drilling in the Bight on merit, but it would not be the council’s focus.

“Those sorts of things aren’t really going to be a priority for us,” Mr Flaherty said.

“The priority for us is making sure the council is efficient and effective in its actions towards looking after the rate payer base … ensuring that the city is sustainable and viable going forward into the future.”

He did not express concern about seismic testing.

Greens environment spokeswoman Senator Sarah Hanson-Young yesterday said it was a “disgrace” her party’s push was blocked.

“This inquiry would have shown just how dangerous seismic blasting is to our marine environments,” she said.

It follows a campaign launch this week where she issued South Australians wanting to “protect marine life” from oil and gas drilling an ultimatum: “You’ll have to vote Green at this coming election.”