It’s time for the Resources Minister to come clean about why it’s taking him so long to rule on the Petroleum Exploration Permit 11 (PEP-11) after he was caught misleading Parliament last month. 

In Question Time on 21 October, Federal Member for Dobell Emma McBride asked Minister Pitt if he would put a stop to PEP-11. 

He responded that he was considering an application to renew the licence and he would be ‘taking advice’ from the regulator.

Then, in Senate Estimates last week, the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator (NOPTA) revealed they had provided advice in April 2020 and were now waiting on the Minister to make a decision.

Either Minister Pitt has misled the Parliament, or he’s not across his portfolio brief.

Minister Pitt is not waiting on advice. He has the regulator’s advice and he’s still refusing to make a decision.

The Minister was supposed to rule on PEP-11 back in February, so he’s eight months past the deadline.

He knows this project will put our coastline, our marine life, and our economy at risk. 

Thousands of jobs up and down the NSW coast depend on our pristine beaches. 

Those jobs will be under threat if this risky project goes ahead. 

Minister Pitt needs to come clean about the Government’s position on PEP-11 and why it’s taking him so long to make a decision.

He has the final say on PEP-11 and he can put an end to this project with the stroke of a pen today.

Instead, he continues to sit on his hands.  

Labor stands with our communities against PEP-11.

Minister Pitt needs to do the right thing by our community and put an end to PEP-11, now. 
 
TUESDAY, 2 NOVEMBER 2021