Santos CEO Kevin Gallagher's announcement that the company will deprioritize the Narrabri gas project while pursuing aggressive expansion in the Beetaloo Basin raises serious questions about environmental justice and corporate accountability. While claiming to focus on securing approvals for Narrabri, Gallagher admitted to investors that Santos would not be “spending any capital or exerting any effort” on the project, effectively stalling a development that has already caused immense anxiety and disruption for local communities.

The Narrabri project, despite securing preliminary approvals in 2020, continues to face significant hurdles, including outstanding production and pipeline licenses, as well as a legal challenge from Gomeroi traditional owners asserting their native rights. For over a decade, communities have fought tirelessly to protect their farmland, water resources, and cultural heritage from the threat of this destructive project. Now, they are left in a state of prolonged uncertainty as Santos diverts its attention to the environmentally sensitive Beetaloo Basin.

The Beetaloo Basin, located in the Northern Territory, is known for its fragile ecosystems and the potential for significant greenhouse gas emissions if fully developed. Santos's prioritization of this project raises concerns that the company is willing to sacrifice environmental safeguards for short-term profits. Gallagher's statement that the Beetaloo Basin could “supply 10m tonnes of LNG and supply the east-coast market for more than 50 years” underscores the company's focus on maximizing fossil fuel extraction, despite the urgent need to transition to renewable energy sources.

Georgina Woods, head of research and investigations for Lock the Gate, rightly accuses Santos of “prolonging stress and anguish” for communities already burdened by the threat of the Narrabri project. The delay also prevents meaningful progress on environmental remediation and leaves local residents in a state of constant anxiety. Woods' call to “stop stringing everybody along and spike the project finally” reflects the deep frustration felt by those who have dedicated years to opposing this destructive development.

Independent MP Roy Butler's questioning of Premier Chris Minns in the NSW parliament highlights the political dimensions of this issue. Minns' previous support for the Narrabri project, including the threat to compulsorily acquire land for the Hunter gas pipeline, raises concerns about the government's commitment to protecting the environment and upholding the rights of local communities. The government must prioritize the well-being of its citizens and the health of the planet over the interests of fossil fuel corporations.