Labor welcomes the recent announcement that Woodside and BHP will merge their respective oil and gas portfolios. 

These renowned Australian companies are significant job creators in this country and abroad. 

Approximately 50,000 Australians are employed or contracted by Woodside or BHP. 

This deal should strengthen Woodside’s balance sheets to continue to create Australian jobs in LNG, including jobs of the future to service decarbonisation initiatives such as carbon capture, utilisation and storage technologies and hydrogen. 

At the same time BHP will continue to pursue operations in nickel and copper as essential minerals in energy storage in batteries. 

Labor congratulates Meg O’Neill upon her appointment as Woodside’s CEO and Managing Director – a testament to Ms O’Neill’s vast 27 years of experience in the sector. 

It is also great to see gender equality and diversity in the resources sector and Labor commends Woodside for its leadership in this space.