Perth rally against oil giant warns New Zealand of what could be coming

The Maritime Union of New Zealand's protest today outside the New Zealand consulate in Perth against
Chevron's dodgy practices should not have to happen. The Maritime Union and International Transport Workers Federation will be presenting a letter to the consulate at 10am (WA time) to remind the Government of Chevron's poor record. The Government has granted permits to a variety of companies with dodgy histories. Chevron is responsible for 63.6 million litres of oil spilled in the Amazon rainforest and refuses to pay a $9.5 billion court settlement to the local people. Anadarko, another company operating in Wellington's Pegasus Basin, was a quarter owner of the Deepwater Horizon rig in the Gulf of Mexico that exploded killing 11 workers and spilling 200 million gallons of oil.

Oil Free Wellington spokesperson James Barber says, "the government should not be allowing companies to make a profit out of putting our oceans, climate, and now workers at risk. Chevron's disgusting record acts as another reminder that the motivations of fossil fuel companies are not benevolent. Their goal is one of maximising profit, not creating employment for locals, protecting the environment, or their workers."

James continues, "we are opposed to fossil fuel exploration because of the urgent threat of climate change, and there needs to be a just transition for workers in the industry. A very basic part of this involves health and safety and working conditions. Fossil fuels are a twilight industry; the sooner that the government commits to actually addressing climate change, the better off all ordinary people, including these workers, will be."

ENDS

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