Claims that gas company Santos covered up the extent of an oil spill that caused dolphin deaths are extremely concerning and warrant immediate investigation, says Greenpeace Australia Pacific.
The claims, made by a whistleblower employed by Santos at the time of the dolphin death incident, were tabled by independent Senator David Pocock in Parliament today.
Greenpeace Australia Pacific welcomes Senator Pocock’s intervention in this matter and role in bringing this important issue to light.
Richard George, senior campaigner for Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said that the allegations, if true, reveal shocking disregard for marine wildlife.
“These allegations suggest that Santos is more concerned with covering its tracks than accepting accountability for a devastating oil spill at Varanus Island,” he said.
“There must be a full investigation into these claims, to determine how tens of thousands of litres of Santos’s oil spilled into the oceans, whether any dolphins died as a result and if Santos tried to cover it up.
“Gas and oil companies can’t be trusted with our oceans. Just a few weeks ago it was revealed that gas company Woodside is allowing an oil tower full of toxic chemicals to sink near UNESCO-listed Ningaloo Reef. This new claim that Santos has lied about its role in killing dolphins is another damning blow for the gas industry.
“The gas industry is trying to push through a number of vast new offshore gas drilling projects, including Woodside’s Burrup Hub. It’s crucial that the public knows about the devastating impact offshore gas and oil drilling has on our oceans.”
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