CLIMATE ACTION RADIO SHOW

MAY 19TH 2025

Produced by Vivien Langford

with  guest producer Bella Jesson

NATIVE TITLE TRIBUNAL GREEN LIGHTs  SANTOS GAS WELLS IN GOMEROI COUNTRY 

At the time this show was broadcast we did not know the decision which will be devastating for all those who continue to stand up to prtect the Pilliga, to protect the Great Artesian Basin and to prevent gas,whether it is burned here or exported,from aggravating climate chaos.

This podcast contains the voices of Gomeroi people and their allies who cames down from Narrabri and elsewhere to bring a sacred flame to NSW Parliament. You will hear MC Raymond Bubble Weatherill, MP Jackie Scrubie, Assistant Secretary of Unions NSW Vanessa Seagrave, Assistant Secretary of Nurses and Midwives Association Michael Whaites, A Gomeroi speaker from Teachers Federation. MP Jeremy Buckingham and Gomeroi Woman Kara Kinchella from Lock the Gates Alliance.

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Part 2 is an interview with Simon Kerr by Bella Jesson.

They are talking about the No Music on a Dead Planet campaign  https://nomusic.au/#signup

• We're building community & solidarity as part of a global movement committed to collective action

Whether you are a musician or a music fan, join the movement now by signing up. 

When you sign up, you can:

•  Stay up-to-date with the latest news on music + climate in Australia
•  Be part of collective action as we continue to advocate for a greener future
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Background for the Native Title Tribunal Decision  quoted from:

Native Title Tribunal approves Santos gas field on Gomeroi Country despite objections

Dechlan Brennan - May 20, 2025

"A decision by the National Native Title Tribunal to allow the New South Wales government to lease land to Santos for gas extraction has been criticised by Gomeroi Traditional Owners.

The Tribunal was asked to decide whether several petroleum production leases to Santos NSW Pty and Santos NSW (Narrabri Gas) Pty Ltd, which largely overlaps with the Pilliga - a significant Gomeroi cultural area - should be allowed to go forward.

In the decision handed down on Monday, the Tribunal said the "project offers a net public benefit" when weighing the public interest evidence with the concerns of the Gomeroi people.

"When considering public interest, the panel placed significant weight on the project providing energy reliability if all the gas produced is made available to the domestic market as intended," the Tribunal said in its findings.

"The evidence in this matter has shown that if the leases are not granted, there will likely be a gap in the available supply of reliable, secure energy on Australia's east coast, which would have significant short-to-medium-term detrimental impacts upon the wider community, including Gomeroi people."

In response, Gomeroi Traditional Owners said they were "disgusted" with the determination, arguing the Tribunal had "disregarded" their voices.

Polly Cutmore, a Traditional Owner from Moree who was elected to deal with Santos on behalf of her Nation, said despite the result, "our mob should never be afraid to stand up for Country".

Ms Cutmore said the community should never be afraid to do the right thing for future generations."