An Indigenous Australian group on Friday welcomed a "historic decision" by the country's Federal Court that is delaying plans for a major gas project in the Timor Sea.
Dennis Tipakalipa, an elder of the Munupi tribe from the remote Tiwi Islands, is fighting a lawsuit against oil and gas producer Santos, which is drilling for gas in northern Australia.
"We have been fighting all this time to protect our ocean country and we will never stop fighting," said Tipa Kalipa.
Santos, one of the country's biggest oil and gas producers, said it would seek new approvals for the $3.6 billion (€3.41 billion) Barossa gas project. In September, a court revoked the project's environmental approval after the Tipakalippa and Munupi tribes raised concerns that the project could destroy an important source of seafood and damage their connection to the spiritually significant area.
Santos appealed the ruling, but three federal court judges ruled on Friday that the company had not consulted all indigenous people on the Tiwi Islands about its environmental plans. The court's decision means that all offshore developers must consult a broad group when seeking regulatory approval. This will include groups with cultural interests. "Santos and all the other gas companies need to realize that this is our country and we need to be heard," said Tipa Kalipa.In return, representatives of the industry.
"The progress of major energy projects is now threatened by further delays and obstacles," said Samantha McCulloch, chief executive of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association.
