Australia’s giant gas project faces human rights challenge from Indigenous people

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - A giant gas project in Australia is facing a human rights challenge from Indigenous people.

The complainants from New South Wales and the Northern Territory have urged the top 20 superannuation companies to divest from the gas project by Santos.

“What we are asking these superannuation funds is please respect our human rights,” Antonia Burke, a Malawu clan member said Wednesday.

The funds include AustralianSuper, REST Super and Hostplus and the traditional owners have accused the companies of having “failed to prevent harmful human rights impacts by investing members' money in Santos' ‘polluting’ Barossa and Narrabri gas projects.”

The major gas project “could generate billions of dollars,” ABC News reported.

“We do not want Santos to build a pipeline or to drill off the coast here … and we want the super funds to hear us and act,” said Burke.

The complaint has been signed by Indigenous people from the Tiwi Islands, Larrakia Country and Gomeroi and Gamilaraay Pilliga Forests in northern New South Wales.

Complainants argue funds are “failing to meet international human rights standards (by) investing in the companies.”

“The (Santos) projects breach the economic, social and cultural rights of the Impacted Tiwi communities," the letter read.

Antonia Burke, an Indigenous human rights advocate, said: “Santos was reckless and had left a trail of destruction across this entire country.”

“Their projects are unsafe for the environment, Indigenous Traditional Owners and residents, the people that work for them and landowners," she said.

According to SBS News, “Santos-operated Barossa Gas Project, worth $3.6 billion, is an offshore gas and condensate production project northwest of Darwin that will supply an onshore liquefied natural gas facility via a 385km undersea pipeline, with first gas targeted for 2025.”

“The Narrabri Gas Project, also worth $3.6 billion, is an onshore coal seam gas project that could provide up to half of NSW's (New South Wales) gas needs once operational. It has received commonwealth environmental and National Native Title Tribunal approvals,” it added.