2012.02.17 MEDIA RELEASE Shire Council Congratulated on Brave Decision-1

Ferguson's Dumping Ground Fights Back | newmatilda.com

Ferguson's Dumping Ground Fights Back | newmatilda.com: In February 2010, Resources Minister Martin Ferguson introduced the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill into the House of Representatives, saying it represented "a responsible and long overdue approach for an issue that impacts on all Australian communities".

The legislation names Muckaty, 120 kilometres north of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, as the only site to remain under active consideration for a national nuclear waste dump.

The proposal is highly contested by the NT Government and is also being challenged in the Federal Court by Traditional Owners. Despite this, the Bill is currently being debated in the Senate — and will likely pass.

MR20120216 Call on Minister

2012.02..14 Call on Council to Defer Woodside Decision

Rainforest oasis under threat: fire, feral animals and 4WDs - ABC Kimberley WA - Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Rainforest oasis under threat: fire, feral animals and 4WDs - ABC Kimberley WA - Australian Broadcasting Corporation


MONSOON VINE THICKETS ON THE COASTAL SAND DUNES OF THE DAMPIER

These very important and culturally significant Monsoon Vine Thickets on the Coastal Sand Dunes of the Dampier are currently under investigation with the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities in order to determine if this ecological community is eligible for listing as threatened under the EPBC Act. These assessments are undertaken by the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) to determine if the item is eligible for listing against a set of criteria as set out in the guidelines for nominating and assessing threatened species and ecological communities. Unt6il these investigations are completed and the Minister has made his decision, Woodside should not be allowed to drill,clear or cut tracks into this ecosystem.



Monsoon Vine Thickets are a rainforest –allied ecosystem found in discrete patches along the Dampier peninsula in the west Kimberley. A great diversity of plants found within the vine thickets provide important habitat for the fauna such as Agile Wallaby, Rose Crowned |Fruit Dove, Flying Foxes and the Great Bowerbirds.

The area in and around vine thickets are of great significance to indigenous people on the Dampier Peninsula. As a cultural teaching and ecological resource, vine thickets contain many traditional food sources, valuable and reliable sources of nutritious bushtucker and medicine, water and signifaicant sites. Monsoon vine thickets are semi deciduous. Towards the end of the dry season up to 50% of the plants lose their leaves. They rely on the wet season rain to help them flourish. It is believed that the high humidity along the coastal fringe allows them to survive long periods of no rain and provides some protection from fires. Many patches are associated with ground water springs, shallow aquifers and seasonal wet areas. The closed canopy and large fruiting trees, not present in much of the surrounding landscape, provide refuge, habitat and nesting sites for many avian and reptilian species.

Monsoon Vine Thickets function as a network ecosystem and the movement of frugivorous (fruit- eating) birds, bats and mammals through themselves ensures sufficient species migration and gene flow to maintain the plant and animal communities in their fragmented state. Equally, the loss and degradation of a single patch can isolate patches reducing opportunities for species migration, increase the livelihood of local species extinction and compromise the ecological processes operating throughout the entire ecological community. The largest and most southern thicket is within Woodside's the proposed precinct area.

WOODSIDE’S LICENCE TO OCCUPY CROWN LAND IS ILLEGAL

The Licence to Occupy Crown Land (licence number 1606-2008-01) was granted on the 24th October 2009 in so called accordance with section 91 of the Land Administration Act 1997 for the purpose of site investigation activities associated with the establishment of the proposed Kimberly LNG gas precinct and associated facilities.



Apparently, this 91 Licence is currently the only document with any legislated base in which Woodside is allowed at all on Lot 259, Wattle Drive. However the following extracts from Freedom of Information (FOI) documents clearly outline how this Licence was granted. Relevant native title claimants have the rights to be notified , informed and provided informed consent before a licence of this nature is granted, however, the Goolarabooloo people were never notified and it is also brought to light in the FOI documents that KLC never granted them permission either. Because the KLC did not reply to correspondence it was interpreted as a no objections. However, this does not excuse DSD from not obtaining consent from the Goolarabooloo people. Interesting reading, please make the time to read.



Inevitably, because the State Government is ultimately the proponent for this proposed project, every state government department and many public servants involved in this proposed project have been compromised in upholding their statuary obligations or prescribed duties under various Acts.

Any complaints or enquires directed to any state government departments last year about all the illegal and destructive activities being undertaken by Woodside on Lot 259 were all systematically hand balled directly to the Department of State Development, where a no response was almost guaranteed.

Departments associated with this proposal: the Department of Water, the Department of Lands Administration, the Department of Indigenous Affairs, the Register for Indigenous Affairs, the State Police Force, the local Shire Council, Department of Environment and Conservation have over the past year failed in their statuary obligations to; enforcement, compliance, investigation, inspection, monitor, reporting findings, follow up investigations or complaints, understand the illegalities and implement penalties that should have be imposed. There is substantial evidence that Woodside had also seriously contravened this Licence and have breached several of the clauses within:

ADDITIONAL BREACHES TO THE LAND ADMINISTRATION ACT & APPLICANTS OWN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
The following clauses of the Licence have been breached by applicant (Woodside) over the last eight months;
4.1 COVENANTS WITH LICENSOR
The Licensee covenants with the Licensor that the Licensee and the Licensee’s Agents:
(a) Must not construct or erect or permit to be constructed or erected any permanent structure, improvement or fixture on the Licence Area.
In July 2011, Woodside commenced clearing activities in the Licence area and one of their first activities was the clearing of a 75m by 100m Lay Down Area (Industrial Area) that was originally enclosed by temporary fencing. However, in mid-October 2011, Woodside constructed a permanent fence. This involved the construction of many concrete footings for the fence poles. Photographs of the footings and fence can been provided on request. The installation of this fence was in direct breach of clause 4.1(a) of the Licence to Occupy and the Minister of Lands should have demanded its immediate removal once they were informed.
2.1 GRANT OF LICENCE
In consideration of the matters set out in this Licence and the payment of the Licence Fee by the Licensee to the Licensor, the Licensor hereby GRANTS to the Licensee a non-exclusive right for the term to enter upon and remain on and use the Licence Area, with such vehicles, machinery, plant or equipment as is reasonably necessary for the purpose of;
Site investigation activities associated with the establishment of the proposed Kimberly LNG gas precinct and associated facilities.
(the Permitted Use) in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in this Licence.
As stated in 2.1 of the Licence, Woodside has a non-exclusive right to occupy the Licence area. In the course of their site investigation activities, Woodside has created a grid network of tracks and drill pads within the licence area. There is a mapped historical track, known as the Biota track, which enters the licence area from the north east corner. Since July, Woodside has placed a locked gate across this track, where the Biota track intersects with their grid tracks. This has effectively blocked public access to the area and during the fires experienced in October 2011, cut off emergency fire escape routes.
Woodside also placed a locked gate at the entrance to the grid from Manari Rd and it has not been uncommon for Woodside to park a car across this entrance effectively blocking public access into the area. The community regularly accesses the area to monitor and audit the operations of Woodside / their contractors in addition to undertaking scientific research activities. Photographs of these locked gates are available on request.
These gates are in breach of clause 2.1 and the Broome Shire, Department of Land Administration all should have demanded their removal when informed of the situation. The presents of these locked gates are also an offence under the Land Administration (Land Management) Regulations 2006.
11. Protection of property
(1) A person must not, on regulated land, deface, damage or otherwise interfere with any-
(b) road, track or path, Unless the person is an authorised person acting in the course of the persons duties. Penalty: a fine of $1000.
19. General Behavior
(1) A person must not, on regulated land, use language or otherwise behave
in a Manner that-
(b) unreasonably interferes with the convenience, comfort or amenity of
any other
Person.
Penalty: a fine of $500.

Woodsides triple LNG trial | Petroleum Economist

Woodsides triple LNG trial | Petroleum Economist

Woodside retreats on Shell sale concern

Woodside retreats on Shell sale concern: Shares in Woodside Petroleum fell in early trading after comments overnight from Royal Dutch Shell that the European energy giant intends selling its remaining quarter stake in the company.

A key issue is whether the Shell holding will be sold in a single block, or are sold into the market, which could weigh on Woodside's the share price for some time.

Woodside shares were down as much as 30 cents, or 0.9 per cent, to $33.85 before paring the loss to be off 19 cents in recent trading.

WA port shake-up to improve efficiency

WA port shake-up to improve efficiency: Premier Colin Barnett said with five new ports - at Barrow Island's Gorgon project, Wheatstone, Oakajee, James Price Point and Anketell - in the pipeline in addition to 21 existing, now was an appropriate time to reform management.

"Our ports facilitate the state's wealth and, by implementing a more efficient framework, the Liberal-National government will ensure that more of the wealth being generated is returned to the community through improved health, education, police and other services," he said.

Has Woodside hit its price point on the environment? | Article | The Punch

Has Woodside hit its price point on the environment? | Article | The Punch: The Browse Basin gas hub development has stoked up so much opposition on so many fronts that many investors are now asking if the project is still economically viable, or if in fact Woodside’s ‘social licence’ to proceed has disappeared in the red dust that graces the Kimberley coastline.

Australian business is all too familiar with the impact strident community opposition can have on controversial major projects, yet some large corporations and investors continue to discount the importance of maintaining their social licence and protecting the environment.

Such a scenario is playing out right now in the Kimberley where, despite a National Heritage listing in August that declared an area almost the size of Victoria to be worthy of protection, Woodside continues to push its $30+ billion gas project at James Price Point in the face of escalating barriers and community opposition.

Time and time again corporate Australia thinks it can push against the tide of public concern to drive projects through. Yet time and time again these same proponents come up against insurmountable discontent that ultimately blocks projects and can result in massive losses to shareholder value.

Jaxon Barnes left a comment on this article says:

09:54am | 01/02/12

We are talking about the biggest Gas hub in the southern hemisphere…

The proposal includes many significant construction processes including the clearing of 2400 hectares (24 square kilometres) of Pindan Woodlands and extremely rare Monsoon Vine Thicket plant communities and the dredging of the proposed port area. Both of these processes are very ecologically damaging. It is worth noting that dredging would be a permanent process.
Environmental impacts associated with this proposed development include:
• Sediment: Dredging releases sediment into the marine environment which causes impacts on light-dependant organisms such as corals and sea grass by smothering the organisms and cutting off the light required for photosynthesis. Suspended sediments impact on filter feeding organisms such as oysters and sponges by clogging their feeding mechanisms, essentially starving the animals. Other organisms such as fish are impacted by the clogging of their gills. There is a 50km2 ‘dead zone’ caused by this marine pollution.
• Humpback Whales: The largest Humpback whale nursery on Earth lies between Broome and Camden Sound on the Kimberley coast. The Kimberley coast is crucial habitat for the Humpback whale, a protected species in Australia. The Kimberley population of whales is internationally significant.
• Fish: James Price Point has been identified as a fish aggregation area, though scientific information is limited. It is likely that future studies will identify fish breeding sites and the dredging and blasting of coral reefs will destroy habitat.
• Turtles: Five marine turtle species, including Australia’s own Flatback turtle, are found in the Kimberley. Studies have identified the James Price point region as an important feeding area for turtles and nesting has been recorded in the area, though survey effort has been insufficient to date to have a clear idea of the significance of the area as a nesting beach. It is known from elsewhere that light pollution and other impacts from this sort of development can impact on turtle hatchling survival.
• Coral: A coral reef province of global significance extends along the Kimberley coast. The James Price Point area is no exception and the area under threat from development is home to many beautiful and diverse coral species.
• Snubfin dolphins: are Australia’s unique dolphin species. This species has been recently discovered by science and the Kimberley is crucial habitat. The latest research has identified that Snubfin families appear to spend much of their lives in very small territories close to shore. This means Snubfin populations can be heavily impacted by habitat destruction and unsustainable development.
• Reef blasting: the diverse coral and other communities are threatened by the extensive blasting that would be required for port and channel construction.
• Breakwater: the breakwater proposed for the area could be as large as 7km long. Such a large structure would interrupt and change the local current flows, and damage the local ecosystem during construction with unpredictable impacts.
• Seismic pollution (e.g. blasting and ship noise) – studies have implicated seismic pollution in changing migratory and other behaviour and whale stranding events.
• Air pollution: Toxic air pollution from the gas hub would release gasses from flare towers and other operations including poisonous nitrogen and sulfur compounds known to have negative impacts of human and wildlife health.
• Sea pollution: Continuous pollution and degradation of the marine environment from drilling, dredging, shipping, and pipelines being laid along the ocean floor.
• Water: A huge amount of fresh water would be required for this project. This will come from groundwater or desalination. The use of groundwater will have negative impacts on the waterholes and vegetation of the region. Desalination is an energy (greenhouse) intensive process that also releases highly saline water and chemicals into the marine environment.
• Impacts on Scott Reef: Woodside plan to put the rig that will pump oil and gas to James Price Point on top of the environmentally important and beautiful Scott Reef.
But your right Stuff the environment or sustainable industries… lets just mine it all!

Woodside gas hub approvals questioned - The West Australian

Woodside gas hub approvals questioned - The West Australian: An environmental group has accused Woodside Petroleum of trying to bypass legally required approvals for its proposed $30 billion gas hub in Western Australia’s Kimberley region.

But Woodside says it has fulfilled all its requirements and is working with the State Government and the Shire of Broome on the liquified natural gas project.

Environs Kimberley says Woodside did not have shire approval for a laydown area with a fuel tank, transportable accommodation, offices, toilets, fences, gates, a vehicle washdown area and drilling.

Director Martin Pritchard said Woodside was originally granted approval from the shire in 2012 to develop some facilities but have since been working on other facilities and have not gained the appropriate approvals.

Labour costs hit gas sector

Labour costs hit gas sector: But Mr Cruddas said labour shortages had affected the ability to deliver major resources projects on time and on budget. “The base costs, mainly labour, are very high in Australia, certainly for us the highest in the world at present,” Mr Cruddas said.

The comments come after credit ratings agency Fitch warned that huge capital expenditure requirements for new liquefied natural gas projects would weaken the financial strength of oil and gas companies.

Free cash flow of Australian oil and gas companies was likely to remain negative, the agency said. It expects debt funding to become more challenging, potentially forcing companies to raise fresh equity to cover project cost blowouts.

Australia has more than 60 million tonnes a year of LNG supply capacity under construction, involving 15 production units, or trains.

However, cost pressures have hit the sector hard.

Woodside Petroleum has suffered a cost blowout of more than 25 per cent at its $14.9 billion Pluto LNG project in Western Australia, which is now due to start deliveries in March.

The company also faced escalating costs over its proposed Browse LNG project, with estimates for building the plant soaring to $US40 billion or more.

Woodside's sneaky strategy to avoid legal consequence at James Price Point

These photos were taken by the Walmandan Tent Embassy protectors yesterday and illustrates the grid-lines within the damaged proposed precinct area that are currently underwater. Woodside's so called investigations have basically created a network of rivers, lakes, dams and ponds, all likely to create a huge health risk because of mosquitoes in the coming weeks.

Woodside are now trying to circumvent the Local Government’s Planning and Development Act 2005 and the Interim development Order No.4. by applying through the state government ‘s newly formed rubber stamp politically motivated Development Assessment Panel, in order to obtain retrospective planning approvals for illegal works undertaken last year Shire of Broome | Lot 259 Wattle Drive, Waterbank, Broome and a variety of other additional works within the Browse LNG Precinct on James Price Point, whose boundaries are yet to clarified.

There are major concerns about the magnitude of impacts of Woodside's investigations works at the proposed project is already having on our community. Already, there is: marked escalation in the social disparity generated, irreversible environmental destruction has already been undertaken, a prevailing sense of anguish at the continued disrespect and devaluation of our Cultural Heritage, the criminalisation of a community who exercised their democratic rights to protect their children’s futures and a newfound understanding that corporate interests exceed those of community concerns.

Woodside’s invasion of 2011 did nothing but create division, distress and disillusionment in the once harmonious and tolerant community of Broome. After months of illegal environmental and cultural heritage destructive activities on Lot 259, Wattle Down, Waterbank, Broome, commonly known as James Price Point (Walmadan) and over 40 arrests of Broome residents trying to protect this bit of Country, Woodside are now trying to circumvent the Local Government’s Planning and Development Act 2005 and the Interim development Order No.4. by applying through the state government‘s formed rubber stamp politically motivated Development Assessment Panels.

This situation is both contemptible to the regards of the Broome community social wellbeing, the environment and highly offensive to democratic local governance. A toxic Industrial area with permanent fencing was created as opposed to a laydown area. A meteorological tower was approved by the Shire before a Section 91 was granted to Woodside. In early June, evidence came to light that this Tower was being used as a communication tower and not only by Woodside but also by the state police force.
The drilling of 50 bores as opposed to the 6 bores Woodside informed the Shire about and the 30 that the Department of Water is aware of. And Hundreds of more vehicle movements along Manari Road that had not been calculated because Woodside did not establish their Shire approved worker’s accommodation camp. Unauthorised and dangerous roadworks have been undertaken by Woodside on Manari Road.

Questions need to be asked like: where, how and who have been managing all the toxic wastes created by Woodside on Lot 259 and how will this be managed in the future? Who will monitor and supervise the applicant’s activities if this Development Assessment Panel grants Woodside this new planning application? Will this responsibility fall again onto the shoulders of concerned and dedicated community members who are arrested, intimidated, fined hundreds of dollars, demonized by main stream media and inconvenienced for their troubles?

Town Planning Scheme No.4 (the Scheme) and Interim Development Order No. 4 are subordinate legislation and each has the power of legislation. Woodside’s outrageous breaches of the IDO are an offence under the Planning and Development Act 2005. A person who commits an offence under this Act is liable to a fine of $200 000 and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine of $25 000 for each day during which the offence continues.

Woodside failed to comply with planning approval conditions or carry out development in accordance with approved plans. Instead of doing the right thing, once caught out, Woodside are now attempting to obtain retrospective approvals from the WA State Government Development Assessment Panel, for illegal work that has already been undertaken. Woodside’s: illegitimate environmental and social devastating actions, this current sneaky strategy of avoidance of consequence, the unmitigated lack of transparency and trustworthiness should be named for what it is criminal, immoral and totally unethical.

Currently, the Broome Shire Council is investigating numerous complaints about these works undertaken by the applicant (Woodside) and violations to the Interim Development Order. However, given the degree of impact Woodside’s actions have had on the community; the intensity of risk to the health and safety of community members; the magnitude of hazards and impacts on the environment; the fact that this matter was intentional to the community; that it will not be resolved in a short timeframe and further impacts are expected in the community, why should the Development Assessment Panel bequeath Woodside’s current application with additional opportunities to continue without penalty or any legislated repercussions?

Woodside exceeded the approved capacity limit of land, failed to undertake and maintain landscaping, undertook the unauthorised dumping of toxic wastes; unauthorised storage of materials, chemicals, toxic wastes and radiation substances; unauthorised use of land, buildings and communication tower; and unauthorised major land clearing, road works and established countless prohibited bores.

Can the Development Assessment Panel legally assess this new application when these investigations have not been completed and the findings released both to the Broome community who first made the complaints and the Shire itself?

Does the Development Assessment Panel legally have the power to assess a retrospective application the original approvals issued by the Broome Shire are still under investigations and the decision about whether to prosecute has not come to a Local Council meeting for clarification?

Has the Department of Local Government and the Minister for Land Administration ever been informed about these breaches?

The Shire should have upheld and enforced section 214 of The Planning and Development Act 2005, when they had not received Woodside “please explain letter” within the prescribed 14 days and issued a Planning Infringement Notice, a stop Work Notice and directly commenced prosecution action under this section of the Act.

Woodside’s proposal still needs to be assessed by the Shire Council under the Interim Development Plan No.4. Therefore, according to Section 4 (b) of IDO4 : Application shall be made by or on behalf of the Owner of the Land ……….. The Land in question is unallocated Crown Land with a registered Native Title Claims of the Goolarabooloo Jabirr Jabirr Peoples, WAD 6002/98. WC99/33. Native title has not been extinguished under section 177 of the Lands Administration Act.

Hansard Question 1046: JAMES PRICE POINT — WOODSIDE PROGRAM OF WORKS 2. Is Woodside the occupier or owner of the unallocated crown land where it is conducting its program of works at James Price Point; and, if so, which title applies and under whose authority was the title bestowed? Answer: 2. No


Is this Development Assessment Panel clear as to who legally owns Lot 259 ?

Although the tenure for the Land is considered under the Land and Administration Act and under this Act the Department of Regional Lands is responsible for the management of the land, it still does not give this Department or Woodside ownership or even a fundamental right to submit any planning or development applications.

Under what lawfully Act allows for this Development Assessment Panel to have the right to approve any planning or development application for Lot 259 when Native title has not been extinguished under section 177 of the Lands Administration Act.? The WA Minister for Lands was not successful in his attempts to compulsory acquire the land in question last year, no Indigenous Land Use Agreement has been signed, and there has been no lawful facilitation that has granted any appropriate tenure arrangements with the proposed precinct proponents.

Therefore, in the eyes of the law, no one has to right to make an application of this nature for Lot 259 under the IDO4. What legal rights or legislated powers does the Development Assessment Panel have to grant non owners of the land any planning or development approval over Lot 259, what are the Terms of Reference for an assessment of application of this nature?

Woodside have proven time and time again that they are not good corporate citizen. The Broome community has proven time and time again that they will never issue the social licence to operate. Friedman believes, in a free society, “there is one and only one social responsibility of business—to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits so long as it stays within the rules of the game, which is to say, engage in open and free competition without deception or fraud.” Woodside has not even managed to uphold this one social responsibility.

Woodside browses on $1.6bn deal | The Australian

Woodside browses on $1.6bn deal | The Australian: WOODSIDE Petroleum could reap up to $1.6 billion from the selldown of its $40bn Browse liquefied natural gas project, with interest in Australian gas assets expected to remain strong despite rising labour costs and offshore competition.

After Woodside confirmed on Friday a report in The Australian that it was looking to reduce its 46 per cent stake in Browse, analysts tipped the Perth company would offload up to 23 per cent to a party that "facilitates and adds value" to the development.

Premier of Western Australia Colin Barnett said Chinese interests could buy up to 25 per cent.

The Mob Violence That Wasn't | newmatilda.com

The Mob Violence That Wasn't | newmatilda.com: Police have laid no charges. No-one appears to have been hurt through the actions of protesters. The available footage, particularly from Channel 9, which can be seen here on the 3AW site, shows no violence from protesters. What it shows is confusion and panic from police and security, protestors milling about shouting, and rough handling of protesters by police.

In response to a question about yesterday’s violence from a journalist at today’s tent embassy press conference, a spokeswoman for the embassy, Selina Davey-Newry, said:

"There was no violence, we had the AFP and riot squad pushing at us in a line, and invited the politicians to come out and speak. The AFP came out against us with force, and we did not retaliatie with force, we did not instigate any wrong-doing or any violence".

Chinese likely to buy 25pc of Browse LNG project from Woodside | The Australian

Chinese likely to buy 25pc of Browse LNG project from Woodside | The Australian: The news sparked hope among environmentalists that a selldown would kill off plans to build a major processing plant on the Kimberley coast, instead forcing the Browse gas to be piped south to existing facilities at the North West Shelf.

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett welcomed Woodside's move and revealed that his government was facilitating talks aimed at bringing China into the project as both an equity partner and gas customer.

The Kimberley Coast: Press Release: 2011 Kimberley Cetacean Report Released

The Kimberley Coast: Press Release: 2011 Kimberley Cetacean Report Released

Kimberley Whale Watching has just released their 2011 Kimberley Cetacean Report 2011. The report highlights the importance of the Dampier Peninsula and the Kimberley's outer shoals and reefs to the Breeding Stock D population of Humpback whales.

ASX Announcement

Friday, 27 January 2012

UPDATE ON WOODSIDE'S BROWSE EQUITY POSITION

In regards to media speculation that Woodside is seeking to divest equity in the Browse LNG Development, Woodside advises it has not made any decision to reduce its equity in the proposed development at this time.

In response to significant interest from a number of parties, Woodside is conducting a limited process to assess the potential sale of a minority portion of the company's equity in the development.

This process provides an opportunity to assess possible early value realisation. Woodside intends to retain operatorship of the development.

This approach is consistent with Woodside CEO Peter Coleman's comments from the 2011 Half-Year results presentation.

"Our tier-one LNG growth options include Pluto expansion, Browse and Sunrise. We have large equity stakes in these projects and this means we have additional options. Through a disciplined approach and robust processes we will deliver value from the LNG growth options over both the medium to longer term."

Woodside denies Browse LNG equity fire sale - Business (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Woodside denies Browse LNG equity fire sale - Business (Australian Broadcasting Corporation): "They are currently in a position where James Price Point looks like an incredibly difficult project," he said.

"And the alternatives that we have put forward and their joint venture partners have put forward look more and more palatable as every day goes by."

The Premier Colin Barnett says he believes Woodside would have trouble sustaining its 50 per cent stakeholding in the project.

He says Chinese investors have made it clear they would like to be involved in the venture and the State Government is actively encouraging Chinese involvement both as a customer and an investor.

Woodside is not revealing just who has expressed interest in the development but says it intends to retain most of its equity in the project.

Happy fortieth Tent Embassy - On Line Opinion - 26/1/2012

Happy fortieth Tent Embassy - On Line Opinion - 26/1/2012

The grass-roots political struggle that began as the Aboriginal Tent Embassy successfully subverted the colonial narrative. It did so by placing the lived experiences of Aboriginal people; racism, disease, poverty and dispossession front and centre.

As with the Occupy Movement with protests in cities including New York, London and Sydney, it took on a life of its own and inspired other protest 'embassies' around Australia, most recently on the site of the proposed Kimberley gas hub.