Pep 11: PM Scott Morrison takes next step to formally refuse oil and gas drilling

The controversial oil and gas drilling permit along the coast is one step away from being dead in the water. See the latest from Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced that he has taken the second step to reject the application for oil and gas drilling permit off the coast.

The third and final step depends on NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole.

In December 2021, Mr Morrison visited Terrigal to announce that the Federal Government would formally reject the Offshore Petroleum Exploration Permit known as PEP-11.

“This project will not proceed on our watch,” he said.

This was the first step in rejecting the permit, which spans 8200km from Newcastle to Wollongong.

In a statement issued on Wednesday night, Mr Morrison said the December 2021 announcement saw the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator (NOPTA) issue the applicant a Notice of Intention to Refuse and granted them 30 days to respond.

“After considering the applicant’s response, I have made the decision under section 59 (3) of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 to propose to refuse the application,” Mr Morrison said.

“As a result, I have written to NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole, as the joint authority partner, advising of the Government’s proposed decision.“

Mr Toole has 30 days to respond before a decision is finalised.

Mr Morrison and Robertson federal Liberal MP Lucy Wicks at the December 2021 announcement when Mr Morrison said “this project will not proceed on our watch”. Picture: Fiona Killman

At the December press conference in Terrigal, Mr Morrison pointed out that the State Government had “recommended refusing the application for the licence that was originally granted by the previous Labor Government”.

Robertson federal Liberal MP Lucy Wicks said the Federal Government would ensure PEP-11 does not go ahead.

“In December 2021, the Prime Minister came to the Central Coast and took the first step to refuse the PEP-11 license and now we are seeing the next step in that process,” she said.

“Rejecting the application for the PEP-11 licence is important, and that’s why we’re following the proper process to ensure our waterways are protected now and into the future.”

Robertson Labor candidate Gordon Reid has questioned if Pep-11 is dead in the water.

NSW deputy Premier Paul Toole has 30 days to respond before a final decision is made. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Earlier this week, Robertson Labor candidate Gordon Reid asked the question “is Pep 11 dead in the water?”

“The Central Coast community has demanded assurance that PEP-11 is truly dead in the water and is calling on the Prime Minister to clarify whether the resources minister has cancelled the licence,” he said.

“The Central Coast is blessed with some of the most spectacular beaches in the country. The region is famous for holiday making and its pristine coastline, PEP-11 jeopardises so much of what the region is known and loved for, PEP-11 must be stopped”.