Email Plibersek: Water trigger now!
Contractors have accused Tamboran Resources of directing them to spray fracking wastewater, knowingly exposing them and Country to toxic chemicals.1
This is the latest in a string of allegations surrounding Tamboran and their mistreatment of water.2
It makes one thing very clear – we need federal protections for water, now.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has committed to implement the water trigger, an amendment to environmental protection laws that would require the critical scrutiny for massive projects like this.
We know frackers like Tamboran cannot be trusted to protect water, and that current legislation doesn't hold them accountable. The longer Minister Plibersek's promise goes unmet, the more we expose this precious resource, this basic human right, to the known dangers of fracking.
Will you urgently write to Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and ask her to keep her promise to protect water?
This is the latest in a string of allegations surrounding Tamboran and their mistreatment of water.2
It makes one thing very clear – we need federal protections for water, now.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has committed to implement the water trigger, an amendment to environmental protection laws that would require the critical scrutiny for massive projects like this.
We know frackers like Tamboran cannot be trusted to protect water, and that current legislation doesn't hold them accountable. The longer Minister Plibersek's promise goes unmet, the more we expose this precious resource, this basic human right, to the known dangers of fracking.
Will you urgently write to Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and ask her to keep her promise to protect water?
The water trigger, within the EPBC Act, currently requires any large coal mining or coal seam gas project that may have significant impact on water resources to be referred to the regulator for assessment.
However, to date the water trigger is not applied to shale or tight gas projects. As the Beetaloo Basin is a shale gas field, water impacts of fracking don't currently require EPBC assessment.
In the wake of the 2022 federal election, Minister Plibersek committed to changing this, but those reforms are not expected well into 2024 – far too late to protect water in the Beetaloo Basin from fracking.
That's why it's critical she hears from us about how urgent this legislation is. Contact her today!
However, to date the water trigger is not applied to shale or tight gas projects. As the Beetaloo Basin is a shale gas field, water impacts of fracking don't currently require EPBC assessment.
In the wake of the 2022 federal election, Minister Plibersek committed to changing this, but those reforms are not expected well into 2024 – far too late to protect water in the Beetaloo Basin from fracking.
That's why it's critical she hears from us about how urgent this legislation is. Contact her today!
- Address the Minister: Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is responsible here. So, start your email with something like "Dear Minister Plibersek" or just "Dear Minister".
- Start by introducing yourself: include a little bit about yourself if you can!
- Say you're supporting Traditional Owners who are opposing fracking in the Beetaloo: time and time again, Traditional Owners have said no to fracking in the Beetaloo Basin. Make it clear that you are uniting behind them in their demands to protect Country from fracking.
- Outline what you want Minister Plibersek to do. We're urging Minister Plibersek to use her powers and urgently prioritise extending the water trigger in environmental laws, as promised.
- Make the email your own: the best emails are those that are unique and personal. So take the time to make it your own using the information we've provided on this page.
- Always be polite and respectful: it's important to be polite in order to be listened to.
If you're on Gadigal land/in Sydney, there's a snap rally happening tomorrow out the front of Minister Plibersek's electorate office. Allies from across the movement will be there in force to back in Traditional Owners and bring these demands to the Minister in person.
Here are the details:
Not in Gadigal/Sydney?
You can watch back the Online Town Hall we held this week. Guest speaker Mililma May shared important lessons for those of us backing in Traditional Owner-led resistance from their successful defence of Country campaign at Lee Point in the NT: "it's never too late to start" and "Call your MP".
Click here to watch and share the recording directly from Facebook.
Here are the details:
- Where: Minister Plibersek's electorate office, 267 Cleveland St, Redfern NSW 2016
- When: Midday tomorrow, Friday 25th August 2023.
- How: RSVP here to stay up to date!
Not in Gadigal/Sydney?
You can watch back the Online Town Hall we held this week. Guest speaker Mililma May shared important lessons for those of us backing in Traditional Owner-led resistance from their successful defence of Country campaign at Lee Point in the NT: "it's never too late to start" and "Call your MP".
Click here to watch and share the recording directly from Facebook.
[1] Contractors allege Tamboran Resources kept spraying contaminated Beetaloo water for up to five days, ABC News, 24 August 2023.
[2] VIDEO: Questions raised about the largest fracking project in the Northern Territory, ABC News, 22 May 2023.
[2] VIDEO: Questions raised about the largest fracking project in the Northern Territory, ABC News, 22 May 2023.