Martin Ferguson pushed James Price Point decision

Media Release
The Wilderness Society Inc.
1 September 2011

The leaked US embassy cables about the James Price Point gas plant show that Resources Minister Martin Ferguson pushed the Browse Basin joint-venture partners into the controversial development.

"Minister Ferguson is completely out of line, forcing environmentally destructive projects on resource companies," said Wilderness Society National Campaign Director Lyndon Schneiders.

"It’s alarming enough for the United States government to take an interest. Prime Minister Gillard needs to pull Minister Ferguson into line as he’s walking the Government into what will be Australia’s biggest environmental battle."

Australian Petroleum Producers and Explorers Association (APPEA) Director for Exploration and Access Ranga Parimala, described the decision to alter the retention leases to favour the James Price Point development as "unprecedented interference," according to News.com.au, citing cables sent from US embassy in Canberra to Washington.

Parimala said "the decision was an 'unprecedented interference' by the government in a project, intended to force Browse partners to choose Woodside's preferred development pathway."

Chevron's External Affairs Manager for Wheatstone, Mike Edmondson, said the "the decisions are unprecedented and concerning," according to News.com.au.

The story can be found here

For further comment contact Lyndon Schneiders on 0451 633 200 or
Wilderness Society Kimberley Campaigner Glen Klatovsky on 0410 482 243.
For more information contact TWS Media Adviser Alex Tibbitts on 0416 420 168.