Last week, for the first time, community members from Papua New Guinea came to Australia to directly confront Santos about its proposed expansion plans on their lands. Alongside Gomeroi and Garrawa Traditional Owners they took their concerns directly into Santos’ Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Tarntanya Adelaide.
Together, over 150 of us from across Australia gathered outside the AGM in solidarity as Joseph, Karra and Uncle Jack shared why they are calling on us to hold Santos accountable: the terrible impacts that could be inflicted on their people if Santos’ Papua LNG, Narrabri, Barossa and Beetaloo projects proceed.
The role of banks in the climate crisis
Big polluters like Santos can only expand their production of dirty gas, oil and coal with the support of finance, including from banks like ANZ. Since the Paris Agreement, ANZ has provided fossil fuel companies, including Santos, with over $20 billion – more than any other Australian bank.
United, we showed Santos – and their funders like ANZ – that they do not have our support. That we will not allow their destructive projects to go unopposed. That we stand with women and their communities on the frontlines.
Almost half of Santos’ revenue already comes from Papua New Guinea, from the PNG LNG project – and they want to expand further. Santos’ proposed new project, Papua LNG, has already been flagged by organisations around the world for its potential to cause environmental destruction and human rights violations that would be felt deeply by local communities.
Santos’ Papua LNG is still awaiting a Final Investment Decision: the last key decision the company makes for the project to go ahead. To proceed, they’ll need to have locked in enough finance. ANZ has been the biggest Australian bank backing Santos – and they haven’t ruled out lending Santos even more.
Making our voices heard
Thank you to everyone to came along to stand with women and their communities on the frontlines. Whether I met you in person last week as you showed up in solidarity, or you’re organising in your own community elsewhere, your solidarity is crucial.
Together, we’ll keep holding big polluters to account – stay tuned for more ways you can take action.