Politics in the pit

CORANGAMITE’S lead candidates for the federal election have all expressed their opposition to the pace of oil and gas development in the Otway Basin, during their second round of public questioning on their climate policies.

At a politics in the pit forum held by Surfers for Climate in Torquay last Thursday, Labor’s incumbent member for the seat Libby Coker said she wanted to see an end to exploratory gas drilling.

“I have stood up in parliament and I have stood up down here on the coast and talked about this, I will continue to do so.

“I cannot say tonight what our policy is, but I can assure you that I will be a great advocate to make sure that we don’t continue exploratory drilling for gas.

“Instead of looking for more gas, we should be looking at ways to use what we already have, and most of it is sold off overseas.”

Liberal party candidate Stephanie Asher said she believed more needed to be done when it came to transitioning away from fossil fuels, when reference was made to the recent tripling of oil and gas acreages in the Otway Basin by the Morrison government.

“There is movement and a willingness to change, I’m very much a part of that, I think more needs to be done.

“One of the most empowering things I learned about the Liberal party when I looked into joining was that they do actually embrace individual views … and we have seen people crossing the floor.

“I’ve been very clear that I don’t personally support new fossil fuel developments either.”

The Greens Alex Marshall was unequivocal in her opposition to all new oil, gas and coal projects.

“No new fossil fuel projects, it can be done and it has to be done, it’s an imperative.

“We must invest in transitioning workers, supporting coal and gas communities from fossil fuels into the renewable energy sector.”