Protect Tiwi Sea Country, Stop Barossa Gas

In breaking news, Tiwi Traditional Owners have submitted an urgent application to Minister Tanya Plibersek, calling for intervention to protect sacred Tiwi underwater cultural heritage from destruction by Santos’ plans to lay a pipeline for the offshore Barossa gas project.

Tiwi people have been outspoken in opposition to the project for two years, last year winning a Federal Court battle against Santos and the regulator and putting a halt to drilling activities in Tiwi Sea Country. Against Tiwi people’s wishes, Santos is pushing ahead with the project.

We know that Santos is also busy in the halls of Parliament House with gas giant Woodside, lobbying politicians to wind back the consultation rights so hard-won by Tiwi people.

It’s never been more important to step up and show solidarity with Tiwi people, as they continue their David and Goliath battle to stop this toxic project damaging their Sea Country.

Now is the time to amplify Tiwi people’s voices and call for protection of Tiwi Sea Country and the burial grounds, songlines, and underwater cultural heritage that is under threat from Santos’ gas pipeline.

Tiwi people must not be ignored again - the Federal Government must not heed calls from the gas industry to wind back consultation rights for First Nations people. Sign the petition opposite to ensure your voice is heard.

Dear Minister,
Tiwi people are speaking up to protect their underwater cultural heritage from destruction by Santos’ Barossa gas project – and we urge you to listen to them.
In 2022, Dennis Tipaklippa, a Tiwi Island Elder and Senior Lawman for the Munupi Clan took Santos to the Federal Court because he and his Clan weren't consulted about Santos' plans to drill for gas in their Sea Country - as required by the law.
The Federal Court threw out a challenge from Santos that tried to overturn that decision, protecting the right of Traditional Owners to be consulted about projects which impact them, their culture and their Sea Country.
Sadly, the Tiwi people’s fight against the Barossa Gas Project is not over. Santos has publicly announced plans to commence both pipeline installation and drilling activities in October 2023. This is against the wishes of Tiwi people, who have submitted evidence to the regulator of the burial grounds, songlines, and underwater cultural heritage that exists in the route where the pipeline will be laid. Santos’ own report found evidence of 163 sites of potential archaeological and paleoenvironmental significance in the pipeline route, but have refused to investigate further.
Tiwi elders have lodged an application with the Environment Minister under Section 9 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984. The Act allows the Minister to halt activities when an Aboriginal site of significance is under serious and immediate threat of injury or desecration. 
We call upon you to stand with the Tiwi people and ensure that their underwater cultural heritage is protected.
At the same time as Tiwi people are fighting for their underwater cultural heritage not to be destroyed, we know that gas companies are lobbying to change the offshore regulations to wind back consultation rights for First Nations people. 
Please protect the right of Traditional Owners to be consulted about offshore oil and gas projects which impact them. Tiwi people are using their voice loud and clear to oppose this destructive project in their Sea Country – we must listen to them, not erase their right to be heard.
As Tiwi campaigner and human rights advocate Antonia Burke says, “everyone expresses anger about a disaster like Juukan Gorge after it happens, but Tiwi people are saying right now that destruction is about to happen if we don’t do everything in our power to stop it”.
Yours sincerely,