Three face court amid protests over gas hub expansion
Three protesters who targeted a Woodside annual general meeting with stench gas and flares will be sentenced on downgraded charges as protests continue over the extension of a mammoth gas project.
Woodside's North West Shelf project - which hosts Australia's biggest gas export plant - has been given the green light by the federal government to keep operating until 2070.
The Australian energy giant still has to accept conditions around heritage and air quality at the project on Western Australia's Burrup Peninsula, home to ancient rock art, before the approval is made official.
The decision has been met with anger by environmental and Indigenous groups who argue it will trash efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and have a ruinous effect on ancient petroglyphs.
Campaign group Disrupt Burrup Hub on Friday gathered outside the WA District Court, arguing the decision to extend the project's life showed the government "cannot be trusted with protecting First Nations culture or our climate".
The protest doubled as a support rally for three of the group's activists who targeted Woodside's 2023 annual general meeting with stench gas and flares, in what the group previously said was an attempt to get the building evacuated.
Gerard Mazza, Jesse Noakes and Tahlia Stolarski have pleaded guilty to charges laid over their protest at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in April 2023, saying they had pulled off "a successful hoax".
They were set to face sentencing in the District Court on Friday but an amended indictment and statement of facts means sentencing has been adjourned for a week.
Disrupt Burrup Hub said on Friday the trio had pleaded guilty to a downgraded charge of attempting to do an act to create false belief, instead of a previous charge of do an act to create false belief.
Dozens of banner-waving and drumming protesters gathered outside the court on Friday as a strong police contingent watched on.
Footage circulating on social media showed one protester being detained by police.
The gas hub extension approval came just hours after the United Nations said industrial emissions at Karratha threatened the nearby rock art, likely sinking Australia's attempts to secure heritage listing for the carvings.
The Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, which partners with the WA government in monitoring the preservation of the rock art, said a recent evaluation report found the site was in a good state of conservation and supported its World Heritage listing.
Meanwhile, federal Environment Minister Murray Watt needs to sit down with traditional owners who oppose the extension, an ex-Labor senator and Indigenous rights activist says.
"He needs to go and talk to those traditional owners from that area and hear their side of the story ... so they understand and he understands the the depth of their concern and why they are so upset," Pat Dodson told ABC Radio on Friday.
The WA government said on Friday it would undertake a four-month review into native title and cultural heritage processes in the state's mining sector with a focus on improving outcomes for both traditional owners and industry.
Three protesters who targeted a Woodside annual general meeting with stench gas and flares will be sentenced on downgraded charges as protests continue over the extension of a mammoth gas project.
Woodside's North West Shelf project - which hosts Australia's biggest gas export plant - has been given the green light by the federal government to keep operating until 2070.
The Australian energy giant still has to accept conditions around heritage and air quality at the project on Western Australia's Burrup Peninsula, home to ancient rock art, before the approval is made official.
The decision has been met with anger by environmental and Indigenous groups who argue it will trash efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and have a ruinous effect on ancient petroglyphs.
Campaign group Disrupt Burrup Hub on Friday gathered outside the WA District Court, arguing the decision to extend the project's life showed the government "cannot be trusted with protecting First Nations culture or our climate".
The protest doubled as a support rally for three of the group's activists who targeted Woodside's 2023 annual general meeting with stench gas and flares, in what the group previously said was an attempt to get the building evacuated.
Gerard Mazza, Jesse Noakes and Tahlia Stolarski have pleaded guilty to charges laid over their protest at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in April 2023, saying they had pulled off "a successful hoax".
They were set to face sentencing in the District Court on Friday but an amended indictment and statement of facts means sentencing has been adjourned for a week.
Disrupt Burrup Hub said on Friday the trio had pleaded guilty to a downgraded charge of attempting to do an act to create false belief, instead of a previous charge of do an act to create false belief.
Dozens of banner-waving and drumming protesters gathered outside the court on Friday as a strong police contingent watched on.
Footage circulating on social media showed one protester being detained by police.
The gas hub extension approval came just hours after the United Nations said industrial emissions at Karratha threatened the nearby rock art, likely sinking Australia's attempts to secure heritage listing for the carvings.
The Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, which partners with the WA government in monitoring the preservation of the rock art, said a recent evaluation report found the site was in a good state of conservation and supported its World Heritage listing.
Meanwhile, federal Environment Minister Murray Watt needs to sit down with traditional owners who oppose the extension, an ex-Labor senator and Indigenous rights activist says.
"He needs to go and talk to those traditional owners from that area and hear their side of the story ... so they understand and he understands the the depth of their concern and why they are so upset," Pat Dodson told ABC Radio on Friday.
The WA government said on Friday it would undertake a four-month review into native title and cultural heritage processes in the state's mining sector with a focus on improving outcomes for both traditional owners and industry.
Three protesters who targeted a Woodside annual general meeting with stench gas and flares will be sentenced on downgraded charges as protests continue over the extension of a mammoth gas project.
Woodside's North West Shelf project - which hosts Australia's biggest gas export plant - has been given the green light by the federal government to keep operating until 2070.
The Australian energy giant still has to accept conditions around heritage and air quality at the project on Western Australia's Burrup Peninsula, home to ancient rock art, before the approval is made official.
The decision has been met with anger by environmental and Indigenous groups who argue it will trash efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and have a ruinous effect on ancient petroglyphs.
Campaign group Disrupt Burrup Hub on Friday gathered outside the WA District Court, arguing the decision to extend the project's life showed the government "cannot be trusted with protecting First Nations culture or our climate".
The protest doubled as a support rally for three of the group's activists who targeted Woodside's 2023 annual general meeting with stench gas and flares, in what the group previously said was an attempt to get the building evacuated.
Gerard Mazza, Jesse Noakes and Tahlia Stolarski have pleaded guilty to charges laid over their protest at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in April 2023, saying they had pulled off "a successful hoax".
They were set to face sentencing in the District Court on Friday but an amended indictment and statement of facts means sentencing has been adjourned for a week.
Disrupt Burrup Hub said on Friday the trio had pleaded guilty to a downgraded charge of attempting to do an act to create false belief, instead of a previous charge of do an act to create false belief.
Dozens of banner-waving and drumming protesters gathered outside the court on Friday as a strong police contingent watched on.
Footage circulating on social media showed one protester being detained by police.
The gas hub extension approval came just hours after the United Nations said industrial emissions at Karratha threatened the nearby rock art, likely sinking Australia's attempts to secure heritage listing for the carvings.
The Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, which partners with the WA government in monitoring the preservation of the rock art, said a recent evaluation report found the site was in a good state of conservation and supported its World Heritage listing.
Meanwhile, federal Environment Minister Murray Watt needs to sit down with traditional owners who oppose the extension, an ex-Labor senator and Indigenous rights activist says.
"He needs to go and talk to those traditional owners from that area and hear their side of the story ... so they understand and he understands the the depth of their concern and why they are so upset," Pat Dodson told ABC Radio on Friday.
The WA government said on Friday it would undertake a four-month review into native title and cultural heritage processes in the state's mining sector with a focus on improving outcomes for both traditional owners and industry.
Three protesters who targeted a Woodside annual general meeting with stench gas and flares will be sentenced on downgraded charges as protests continue over the extension of a mammoth gas project.
Woodside's North West Shelf project - which hosts Australia's biggest gas export plant - has been given the green light by the federal government to keep operating until 2070.
The Australian energy giant still has to accept conditions around heritage and air quality at the project on Western Australia's Burrup Peninsula, home to ancient rock art, before the approval is made official.
The decision has been met with anger by environmental and Indigenous groups who argue it will trash efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and have a ruinous effect on ancient petroglyphs.
Campaign group Disrupt Burrup Hub on Friday gathered outside the WA District Court, arguing the decision to extend the project's life showed the government "cannot be trusted with protecting First Nations culture or our climate".
The protest doubled as a support rally for three of the group's activists who targeted Woodside's 2023 annual general meeting with stench gas and flares, in what the group previously said was an attempt to get the building evacuated.
Gerard Mazza, Jesse Noakes and Tahlia Stolarski have pleaded guilty to charges laid over their protest at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in April 2023, saying they had pulled off "a successful hoax".
They were set to face sentencing in the District Court on Friday but an amended indictment and statement of facts means sentencing has been adjourned for a week.
Disrupt Burrup Hub said on Friday the trio had pleaded guilty to a downgraded charge of attempting to do an act to create false belief, instead of a previous charge of do an act to create false belief.
Dozens of banner-waving and drumming protesters gathered outside the court on Friday as a strong police contingent watched on.
Footage circulating on social media showed one protester being detained by police.
The gas hub extension approval came just hours after the United Nations said industrial emissions at Karratha threatened the nearby rock art, likely sinking Australia's attempts to secure heritage listing for the carvings.
The Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, which partners with the WA government in monitoring the preservation of the rock art, said a recent evaluation report found the site was in a good state of conservation and supported its World Heritage listing.
Meanwhile, federal Environment Minister Murray Watt needs to sit down with traditional owners who oppose the extension, an ex-Labor senator and Indigenous rights activist says.
"He needs to go and talk to those traditional owners from that area and hear their side of the story ... so they understand and he understands the the depth of their concern and why they are so upset," Pat Dodson told ABC Radio on Friday.
The WA government said on Friday it would undertake a four-month review into native title and cultural heritage processes in the state's mining sector with a focus on improving outcomes for both traditional owners and industry.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Sky News AU
Pauline Hanson vows to call out the ‘hypocrites and liars' within the Labor Party
One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson discusses the fire risk of wind turbines in regional areas and criticises the Labor Party for their renewable policies. 'I've got no time for them whatsoever,' Ms Hanson told Sky News host Andrew Bolt. 'It's a joke, it really is a joke, and the people of Australia need to wake up to this and understand. 'I'll keep raising these issues, asking questions and show the government for what they are, nothing but hypocrites and liars to the Australian people.'
Sky News AU
an hour ago
- Sky News AU
‘Hell hath no fury like a Green senator scorned': Labor and Greens talks on super tax complicated by Dorinda Cox defection
Negotiations over the Albanese government's controversial superannuation tax have grown more complex following the defection of WA Senator Dorinda Cox. Ms Cox quit the minor party over perceived extremism, according to sources, leaving the Greens depleted in the senate, with 10 members. The Labor Party, now with 29 senators, still require the Greens to pass legislation through the upper house unopposed. The shift adds a new dynamic to talks on a tax that the Coalition brands as 'super big and super bad'. Prior to Ms Cox defection, Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young suggested the party was open to compromise on the threshold at which the new tax would apply. Labor has proposed a $3 million cap on super balances before the higher tax rate kicks in, while the Greens had originally demanded it be lowered to $2 million. After indicating a willingness to compromise, the Greens have expressed 'disappointment' with Ms Cox's decision to join the Labor Party as a backbencher. 'Senator Cox has said that her values align with the Labor party,' Greens leader Larissa Waters said in a statement. 'This is the same Labor party who this week approved the climate wrecking North West Shelf gas project. 'Senator Cox would have had more chance of effecting change by continuing to work with the Greens in the sole balance of power.' Shadow education minister Jonno Duniam told Sky News on Tuesday he had doubts the Greens would simply back in the super tax after Ms Cox abandoned the minor party. 'In the last 24 hours they (Greens) have been pretty well dudded by the Labor Party—and hell hath no fury like a Green senator scorned, so I'll watch that space closely,' he said. Mr Duniam said the tax as currently written was unacceptable and warned that Labor has opened the door to broader changes that could hurt ordinary workers. 'The bill, the legislation as it stands today? No way, Jose… Some big changes (are) needed when it comes to unrealised gains and indexation,' he said. He expressed concern about farmers and retirees whose wealth, including property or land, may be tied up in their superannuation funds. 'They're going to be taxed on the increased value of that farm... How are they going to pay for that when all of their assets are tied up and they don't have the cash?' Labor's Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino defended the design of the tax and argued it was designed to ensure simplicity. 'This is not an unprecedented way to undertake taxes in our system,' Mr Mulino told Sky News. 'There are a number of areas where unrealised gains are taxed — trading stock, Australian carbon credit units, and indeed we see it with council rates.' Mr Mulino stressed the measure's purpose was fairness, not revenue raising for the government. 'There are accounts out there of $5, $10, $100 million-plus. The system wasn't designed for that. 'It was designed for a dignified retirement, and with the $3 million threshold, we're talking about accounts that are way above what anybody would say is necessary for even a comfortable retirement.' The superannuation tax, which the government claims will affect fewer than 0.5 per cent of superannuants initially, has been projected to raise $40 billion over a decade. However, critics warn that the unindexed $3 million threshold will subject increasing numbers of Australians to the tax over time. AMP Deputy Chief Economist Diana Mousina conducted modelling that showed the average 22-year-old will be hit by the tax by the time they retire. CPA Australia's Superannuation Lead, Richard Webb, called on policymakers to ensure the policy will be indexed to inflation. 'Bracket creep is already having a silent eroding effect on personal finances,' Mr Webb said in a statement. 'Allowing this further erosion of superannuation savings is contrary to the fundamental principles of our tax system.' The government maintains that all federal politicians with more than $3 million in super will be subject to the tax regardless of scheme type. A spokesperson for Treasurer Jim Chalmers told Sky News the tax applied to politicians 'regardless of when they entered into parliament'. It was recently revealed that unlike ordinary superannuants with balances above $3 million, some politicians will only begin paying the tax after they retire.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Trusted insiders' behind drugs and tobacco haul
A man who allegedly boasted he could circumvent Australian borders has sparked the arrest of seven men over large-scale drug imports and more than 20 million untaxed cigarettes. The seizure comes as attention focuses on the black market tobacco trade as questions are asked about the high federal excise, which has been blamed for increasing the flow of money away from government coffers to organised crime. The 42-year-old man was allegedly using a freight forwarding service at Punchbowl in Sydney's southwest to bring packages across the border. Authorities began looking into the man after learning in September 2023 that he allegedly claimed he could circumvent border checks. Investigators from several law enforcement agencies and the tax office continued to monitor the freight forwarding service, especially after the August 2024 arrest of two men over a 280kg haul of liquid methamphetamine imported inside a freezer shipped from Canada. More illicit goods continued to arrive, including shipments totalling 20 million cigarettes from the United Arab Emirates. After learning in May the man allegedly planned to import 50kg of cocaine from Panama, hidden inside bags of cement, police moved in. Four men, including the 42-year-old, were arrested as properties were raided around Sydney's west and southwest on Friday. Another was arrested at Sydney Airport on Saturday. Among the men are two Canadians who allegedly flew in to oversee the import and extraction of the cocaine, destined for organised crime groups. The 42-year-old man behind the freight forwarding service has been charged with multiple counts of importing large quantities of tobacco and commercial quantities of border-controlled drugs, as well as proceeds of crime and criminal group charges. He was refused bail on Sunday and is due to return to court at the end of July. NSW Police seized 243 boxes of tobacco at storage facilities in Moorebank during the raids. The seizure comes as Premier Chris Minns this week questioned the "massive" federal excise on tobacco and the rise in the number of high-street shops selling illicit tobacco and nicotine vapes. In Victoria, illegal tobacco sales have prompted regular violence, with more than 100 firebombings in two years. Queensland police found a fake wall full of cash and a secret tobacco store on Thursday during a major crackdown on more than 20 illegal traders. The federal tobacco excise topped $1.40 per cigarette in March, excluding shop markups, with the average pack of 20 now costing up to $55 or more, depending on the brand. The 2025/26 federal budget wiped $6.9 billion off the government's tobacco excise projections out to 2029, with about one in five smokers shifting to illicit cigarettes or vapes. A man who allegedly boasted he could circumvent Australian borders has sparked the arrest of seven men over large-scale drug imports and more than 20 million untaxed cigarettes. The seizure comes as attention focuses on the black market tobacco trade as questions are asked about the high federal excise, which has been blamed for increasing the flow of money away from government coffers to organised crime. The 42-year-old man was allegedly using a freight forwarding service at Punchbowl in Sydney's southwest to bring packages across the border. Authorities began looking into the man after learning in September 2023 that he allegedly claimed he could circumvent border checks. Investigators from several law enforcement agencies and the tax office continued to monitor the freight forwarding service, especially after the August 2024 arrest of two men over a 280kg haul of liquid methamphetamine imported inside a freezer shipped from Canada. More illicit goods continued to arrive, including shipments totalling 20 million cigarettes from the United Arab Emirates. After learning in May the man allegedly planned to import 50kg of cocaine from Panama, hidden inside bags of cement, police moved in. Four men, including the 42-year-old, were arrested as properties were raided around Sydney's west and southwest on Friday. Another was arrested at Sydney Airport on Saturday. Among the men are two Canadians who allegedly flew in to oversee the import and extraction of the cocaine, destined for organised crime groups. The 42-year-old man behind the freight forwarding service has been charged with multiple counts of importing large quantities of tobacco and commercial quantities of border-controlled drugs, as well as proceeds of crime and criminal group charges. He was refused bail on Sunday and is due to return to court at the end of July. NSW Police seized 243 boxes of tobacco at storage facilities in Moorebank during the raids. The seizure comes as Premier Chris Minns this week questioned the "massive" federal excise on tobacco and the rise in the number of high-street shops selling illicit tobacco and nicotine vapes. In Victoria, illegal tobacco sales have prompted regular violence, with more than 100 firebombings in two years. Queensland police found a fake wall full of cash and a secret tobacco store on Thursday during a major crackdown on more than 20 illegal traders. The federal tobacco excise topped $1.40 per cigarette in March, excluding shop markups, with the average pack of 20 now costing up to $55 or more, depending on the brand. The 2025/26 federal budget wiped $6.9 billion off the government's tobacco excise projections out to 2029, with about one in five smokers shifting to illicit cigarettes or vapes. A man who allegedly boasted he could circumvent Australian borders has sparked the arrest of seven men over large-scale drug imports and more than 20 million untaxed cigarettes. The seizure comes as attention focuses on the black market tobacco trade as questions are asked about the high federal excise, which has been blamed for increasing the flow of money away from government coffers to organised crime. The 42-year-old man was allegedly using a freight forwarding service at Punchbowl in Sydney's southwest to bring packages across the border. Authorities began looking into the man after learning in September 2023 that he allegedly claimed he could circumvent border checks. Investigators from several law enforcement agencies and the tax office continued to monitor the freight forwarding service, especially after the August 2024 arrest of two men over a 280kg haul of liquid methamphetamine imported inside a freezer shipped from Canada. More illicit goods continued to arrive, including shipments totalling 20 million cigarettes from the United Arab Emirates. After learning in May the man allegedly planned to import 50kg of cocaine from Panama, hidden inside bags of cement, police moved in. Four men, including the 42-year-old, were arrested as properties were raided around Sydney's west and southwest on Friday. Another was arrested at Sydney Airport on Saturday. Among the men are two Canadians who allegedly flew in to oversee the import and extraction of the cocaine, destined for organised crime groups. The 42-year-old man behind the freight forwarding service has been charged with multiple counts of importing large quantities of tobacco and commercial quantities of border-controlled drugs, as well as proceeds of crime and criminal group charges. He was refused bail on Sunday and is due to return to court at the end of July. NSW Police seized 243 boxes of tobacco at storage facilities in Moorebank during the raids. The seizure comes as Premier Chris Minns this week questioned the "massive" federal excise on tobacco and the rise in the number of high-street shops selling illicit tobacco and nicotine vapes. In Victoria, illegal tobacco sales have prompted regular violence, with more than 100 firebombings in two years. Queensland police found a fake wall full of cash and a secret tobacco store on Thursday during a major crackdown on more than 20 illegal traders. The federal tobacco excise topped $1.40 per cigarette in March, excluding shop markups, with the average pack of 20 now costing up to $55 or more, depending on the brand. The 2025/26 federal budget wiped $6.9 billion off the government's tobacco excise projections out to 2029, with about one in five smokers shifting to illicit cigarettes or vapes. A man who allegedly boasted he could circumvent Australian borders has sparked the arrest of seven men over large-scale drug imports and more than 20 million untaxed cigarettes. The seizure comes as attention focuses on the black market tobacco trade as questions are asked about the high federal excise, which has been blamed for increasing the flow of money away from government coffers to organised crime. The 42-year-old man was allegedly using a freight forwarding service at Punchbowl in Sydney's southwest to bring packages across the border. Authorities began looking into the man after learning in September 2023 that he allegedly claimed he could circumvent border checks. Investigators from several law enforcement agencies and the tax office continued to monitor the freight forwarding service, especially after the August 2024 arrest of two men over a 280kg haul of liquid methamphetamine imported inside a freezer shipped from Canada. More illicit goods continued to arrive, including shipments totalling 20 million cigarettes from the United Arab Emirates. After learning in May the man allegedly planned to import 50kg of cocaine from Panama, hidden inside bags of cement, police moved in. Four men, including the 42-year-old, were arrested as properties were raided around Sydney's west and southwest on Friday. Another was arrested at Sydney Airport on Saturday. Among the men are two Canadians who allegedly flew in to oversee the import and extraction of the cocaine, destined for organised crime groups. The 42-year-old man behind the freight forwarding service has been charged with multiple counts of importing large quantities of tobacco and commercial quantities of border-controlled drugs, as well as proceeds of crime and criminal group charges. He was refused bail on Sunday and is due to return to court at the end of July. NSW Police seized 243 boxes of tobacco at storage facilities in Moorebank during the raids. The seizure comes as Premier Chris Minns this week questioned the "massive" federal excise on tobacco and the rise in the number of high-street shops selling illicit tobacco and nicotine vapes. In Victoria, illegal tobacco sales have prompted regular violence, with more than 100 firebombings in two years. Queensland police found a fake wall full of cash and a secret tobacco store on Thursday during a major crackdown on more than 20 illegal traders. The federal tobacco excise topped $1.40 per cigarette in March, excluding shop markups, with the average pack of 20 now costing up to $55 or more, depending on the brand. The 2025/26 federal budget wiped $6.9 billion off the government's tobacco excise projections out to 2029, with about one in five smokers shifting to illicit cigarettes or vapes.
