First Nations' voices could be silenced while emissions surge if the federal government passes changes that could fast-track offshore gas project approvals, environmental advocates warn.
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The government has added an "environmental safeguard" to legislation that it says is aimed at improving the safety of offshore oil and gas workers.
This could then allow Resources Minister Madeleine King to provide offshore gas projects with exemptions from environmental laws if those are later changed.
Australian Conservation Foundation representative Annika Reynolds says the bill has "deep flaws".
"This bill seeks to permanently change aspects of the offshore gas assessment regime just before some of the most contentious offshore gas projects in Australia's history - including Santos' Barossa gas project - are assessed," they said.
Tiwi Islanders have been campaigning against gas giant Santos's proposed Barossa project for years.
And in March a group who went to Parliament House said there were 47 current offshore leases in the Northern Territory that had been granted without Indigenous input.
They called for ways to endure traditional owners could meaningfully and comprehensively engage in decisions behind projects.
However, Greens senator and Yamatji and Noongar woman Dorinda Cox says the government's proposed changes would not achieve this.
"You cannot say that hand on heart and respect First Nations voices in this country ... then move to give the power to the resources industry," she said.
Ms King said the government would work on the bill to give everyone confidence in the process.
"What we're doing right now is making sure consultation provisions are improved so they are clearer for everyone concerned, be it traditional owners or the wider community," she told Parliament during Question Time.
Crossbenchers including David Pocock, Sophie Scamps, Monique Ryan, Greens leader Adam Bandt have also accused the government of failing to meet its climate obligations while overlooking its commitments to First Nations communities.
"It will take away the rights of First Nations people to be consulted on projects ... if the resources minister so decides it," Mr Bandt told the House of Representatives on Monday.
"That's going to give huge, unfettered power to the resources minister."
The carbon emissions that would be emitted via new offshore gas projects are also a serious concern, environmentalists say.
The Barossa project, for example, would emit 401 million tonnes of carbon dioxide pollution over its lifetime, according to the Australian Conservation Foundation.
This is the equivalent of 80 per cent of Australia's 2020 emissions.
Even one new gas project approved under the changes would be the equivalent of ripping solar panels off four million roofs, Mr Bandt said.
"We're seeing towns flood, towns burned," Senator Pocock said.
"We need a government that's going to actually move, that's going to put the interests of Australians and all of our futures ahead of a few companies like Santos."
The bill will be listed for the Senate on Wednesday.
Australian Associated Press
