More than 30 people took action outside fossil fuel company Empire Energy鈥檚 Annual General Meeting in Gadi/Sydney on May 30, demanding that the company stop its plans to frack the Beetaloo Basin in the Northern Territory.
organiser Alessandro Moliterno told the crowd: 鈥淓mpire Energy is pushing ahead to frack the Beetaloo Basin despite Traditional Owners telling them 鈥楴o!鈥櫬燨ver 85% of the NT is covered in exploration licences. Empire currently has a permit to frack an area twice the size of Tasmania and they鈥檝e been given millions by their mates in the former Morrison government to speed up their plans.鈥
Aunty Rhonda Dixon, Gadigal/Bidgigal/Yuin Elder from the south coast of New South Wales, gave an acknowledgement to Country.
Dixon read a statement from the Yanyuwa and Garrwa people, which said: 鈥淔or over a decade we have been saying 鈥楴o鈥 to frackers like Empire Energy. We, the Traditional Owners, would normally make the long and arduous journey from our remote Aboriginal communities to look Empire鈥檚 decision-makers right in the eye. But we are here busy organising our community and making sure the Territory government can鈥檛 get away with their broken promises.鈥
Moliterno said: 鈥淎 recent inquiry made 183 recommendations stipulating聽conditions before any fracking goes ahead. They include environmental protection measures, such as protecting water, examining impacts of climate changes on any fracking projects, Aboriginal cultural rights and commitments to uphold local community rights to appeal these approvals.
鈥淭he NT government says they鈥檝e implemented these changes, but they have not.鈥
鈥淭he Environment Defenders Office and an independent auditor have pointed out the NT government has failed to implement these measures, especially the ones that relate to water protection,鈥 Moliterno said.
Empire Energy鈥檚 plan has even drawn criticism from federal Labor MP Marion Scrymgour, Moliterno said, adding that she is calling for a halt on mining approvals due to fracking risks.
Nic Clyde from Lock the Gate also addressed the crowd and Ecopella, an environmental community choir, sang an anti-fracking song.