The Federal Opposition leader says the Government is \u201cincapable of action\u201d when it comes to protecting the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anthony Albanese spoke with Star 104.5 News this morning about the Pep-11 offshore drilling project near the Central Coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A virtual \u2018town hall\u2019 meeting has been held today in support of a new \u2018Stopping PEP-11 Bill\u2019 being passed by Independent Federal MP Zali Steggall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bill would put a stop to the permit for off-shore gas and oil exploration extending from Sydney to Port Stephens \u2013 with a target area just off the beaches at Lake Munmorah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anthony Albanese says the final decision has been in the hands of the Federal government for far too long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think this government is so caught-up in it\u2019s rhetoric of failing to take action on climate change, and being scared to stand up for a bit of common sense about any issue \u2013 regarding fossil fuels \u2013 that it just is incapable of action,\u201d said Mr Albanese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re incapable of announcing a net zero by 2050 climate change target, even though the whole of the world is at that position\u2026.. Pep-11 is a disastrous proposal.\u201d\u00a0<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The permit for PEP-11 came up for renewal in February 2021 but a decision is still yet to be made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s absurd to think that you could have such a proposition going forward. But the government refuses to act and refuses to take action,\u201d said Mr Albanese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The NSW Government has already opposed the project because of its potential impact on marine life and local beaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch says he has written to the Minister three time already.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cActions speak louder than words. I\u2019ve asked the Federal Minister \u2013 after almost 6 months of silence \u2013 to end the delays and to follow the recommendations of the NSW government and use his authority to immediately cancel PEP-11,\u201d said Mr Crouch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur community here on the Coast is quite-rightly concerned about whether PEP-11 is allowed to continue or not.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It comes as the Federal Government\u2019s agency, National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority, last week approved seismic testing near King Island in Tasmania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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