I welcome the announcement by Minister for Industry and Science, The Hon. Ed Husic MP, that the Commonwealth-New South Wales Offshore Petroleum Joint Authority has made the decision to refuse both the PEP-11 applications.

The Joint Authority refused the applications for reasons of public interest, concerns about the applicants’ estimate of the cost of works and their ability to raise the necessary capital to fund the proposed works.

The Central Coast community has fought long and hard for this outcome, which I have helped support since before I was elected to the Australian Parliament in 2022.

I commend our community on their advocacy and unwavering support throughout this campaign.

Despite setbacks because of the former Liberal Prime Minister and Liberal Government who stuffed up due process through secret ministerial appointments.

Only a Federal Labor Government, which respects proper process, could secure this outcome.

Minister Husic’s statement here

ENDS