Australian gov't criticized for oil, gas exploration approval

Canberra [Australia], August 25: The Australian government is facing criticism for its decision to open up more than 46,000 square-km of the ocean to oil and gas exploration.
Madeleine King, the Minister for Resources, recently announced that 10 areas spanning 46,758 square-km off the coasts of the Northern Territory (NT), Western Australia and Victoria have been approved for exploration.
"At the same time as we strive to reduce emissions, it must be emphasized that continued exploration for oil and gas in Commonwealth waters is central to alleviating future domestic gas shortfalls," King said in a media release.
The decision has been criticized by climate-focused independent Members of Parliament (MPs) who say it contradicts the Labor government's commitment to a stronger emissions reduction target.
Senator David Pocock said the announcement "doesn't make sense."
Labor earlier in August passed a bill that would enshrine into law an emissions reduction target of 43 percent from 2005 levels by 2030 through the lower house of the parliament.
In order to pass the bill through the senate, Labor requires Pocock's support.
"You can't be serious about climate action and talking up how you're legislating 43 percent by 2030, and at the same time opening up 46,000 square kilometers for offshore oil and gas exploration," he was quoted by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Thursday.
"We can't keep going down this path, it's a kick in the guts for the millions of Australians who are living with the impacts of climate change already, that have had their homes flooded four times in a year."
"We can't keep going down this road."
Source: Xinhua