Media Release: Australian Energy Producers responds to today’s Federal Court decision relating to Santos Barossa Project

The economic and energy security of Australia and its valued international partners is being damaged.

Today’s court decision is further evidence of the urgent need for the Australian Government to provide certainty for businesses and fix the broken offshore regulatory approvals system.

Reliable and affordable energy for Australian households and businesses is at risk alongside the tens of billions of dollars of economic benefits and jobs our exports deliver for Australia. 

The Government must act immediately to fix this issue and end the lawfare.

Wait times for some approvals have blown out to more than two years.

Courts continue to overturn or block approvals already awarded by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA). 

Companies which consult with stakeholders in good faith are watching approvals granted by the regulator be overturned or blocked in court. 

Regulations that provide clarity and certainty for industry while maintaining comprehensive and meaningful consultation with stakeholders are urgently needed.

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