PRESS RELEASE Oil Free Wellington: For Immediate Release

National Government Expands Oil and Gas Drilling
A Huge step in the wrong direction

The National Government is flying in the face of climate science and public opposition as it opens over 100,000 sq km to oil and gas exploration. The Government's proposed Block Offer 2015 is a huge step in the wrong direction. Last week the IPCC's Fifth Assessment report on climate change confirmed that we should be decreasing investment in fossil fuel exploration and production, not encouraging it. We have also seen widespread opposition to this Government's plans for deep sea drilling and gas production throughout Aotearoa. Two separate flotilla were put together to resist Andarko's drill ship in the past year and throughout the country protests have been seen from Cape Reinga to Otago.

Oil Free Wellington spokesperson James Barber says, "This latest expansion of exploration sites is quickly moving towards ludicrous. Soon it'll be easier to mark the points on the map which aren't being explored for fossil fuels."

He continues, "With the first impacts of climate change already felt around the globe we need to be leaving the oil and gas in the ground. Our Government should not be allowing companies such as Anadarko, Shell and Statoil, to make a profit from causing climate change and wrecking the lives of future generations."

The Government's approach to expanding fossil fuel exploration is one of ignoring the will of its citizens, not one of patient consultation. If the Government had listened to its citizens, exploration sites near Taranaki, Otago, and Wellington would not have increased in the 2014 Block Offer and in the upcoming 2015 Block Offer.

James says, "If the Government were genuine in its desire to consult locals then it would not have made the numerous law changes we have seen over the past two years. From the Anadarko amendment which Thanks to making deep sea drilling non-notifiable this Government's focus has been on taking away the voice of its citizens, not one of listening to them."

He continued, "this Government should listen to the science and its people. They should tell these oil and gas companies that they are no-longer welcome in this country and withdraw all existing exploration permits."

ENDS

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