Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King has condemned a Greenpeace protest on a floating gas platform, saying it was “selfish” and put offshore workers at “unnecessary risk”.
Ms King said she did not have a problem with peaceful protests — but that the actions of Greenpeace activists, on Woodside’s Scarborough gas site off the WA coast, were dangerous.
“I am aware that Greenpeace Australia Pacific activists have occupied Woodside’s Scarborough floating production unit,” Ms King said.
“Peaceful protest is an important part of our vibrant democracy, but this is highly risky and dangerous behaviour.
“Workers on offshore facilities operate under some of the strictest safety regimes in the world, and for good reason. A single mistake can have catastrophic consequences, particularly when emergency assistance may be hours away.
“Every unauthorised person on board introduces an additional risk to the safety of everyone on the facility.”
Greenpeace campaigners scaled the 70,000-tonne floating production unit early on Saturday morning.
Activist Dr Chris Holden said the project, set to produce its first liquid natural gas export by the end of this year, would harm nature on Scott Reef. Ms King said the actions of activists disregarded the safety of workers.
“Trespassing on offshore facilities demonstrates a reckless disregard for the safety of others,” Ms King said.
“It is selfish in the extreme and puts offshore workers at unnecessary risk.”
She urged the activists to leave.
“I urge the activists to leave immediately and allow offshore workers to get on with their important work safely,” Ms King said.
Woodside, on Saturday afternoon, issued a scathing statement over what the gas giant described as a “serious violation of multiple Australian laws”.
“Greenpeace’s unauthorised access is a serious violation of multiple Australian laws including the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 and the Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Security Act 2003,” a Woodside spokesperson said.
“These laws are designed to protect the safety and security of Australia’s offshore facilities, workers and the environment, with penalties that include up to 15 years imprisonment.
“The activists’ access to the facility has not only endangered their own safety, but that of Woodside staff and contractors and law enforcement responders, as well as risking the facility and the surrounding environment.
“Woodside will not ignore Greenpeace’s unacceptable actions and supports a strong response by relevant authorities to enforce the law to the fullest extent.
“The activists’ conduct is not peaceful. It is dangerous, reckless and illegal.”
Woodside said it was working closely with authorities to resolve the issue.
“Contrary to Greenpeace’s claimed mission, the behaviour of its representatives today has endangered the surrounding environment, in addition to people and the facility itself,” the spokesperson said.
“Our highest priorities are the safety of all people involved and the integrity of the facility. The workforce on board the FPU has been mustered and accounted for. We are working closely with law enforcement agencies and regulators to safely resolve this incident.
“Greenpeace’s actions have triggered a significant, potentially costly and entirely avoidable response, requiring Western Australian resources to be mobilised to manage the safety, security and operational consequences of their actions.
“Pre-commissioning activities at Scarborough have been paused as part of routine procedures following the unauthorised access.”