Federal Labor: Urgently apply the water trigger to Beetaloo fracking

Last week, Traditional Owners in the Beetaloo Basin raised the alarm after contaminated fracking wastewater was pumped onto vegetation at an Empire Energy site.

The spill of 2,000 litres of contaminated water near Borroloola has impacted vegetation and raises concerns about the dangers of large-scale fracking if it is allowed to proceed.

It follows advice from the Independent Expert Scientific Committee (IESC) which revealed major gaps in knowledge of the impacts of fracking in the Beetaloo Basin on water.

With Parliament resuming in early February, this is a critical window for action. Labor MPs in the Climate Caucus need ...

Last week, Traditional Owners in the Beetaloo Basin raised the alarm after contaminated fracking wastewater was pumped onto vegetation at an Empire Energy site.

The spill of 2,000 litres of contaminated water near Borroloola has impacted vegetation and raises concerns about the dangers of large-scale fracking if it is allowed to proceed.

It follows advice from the Independent Expert Scientific Committee (IESC) which revealed major gaps in knowledge of the impacts of fracking in the Beetaloo Basin on water.

With Parliament resuming in early February, this is a critical window for action. Labor MPs in the Climate Caucus need to hear from you today - so they can make their voices heard with Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek on this issue.

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Please send an email to Federal Labor MPs in the climate caucus using our template email below.

Your email will go to:
Josh Burns, Member for Macnamara
Peter Khalil, Member for Wills
Ged Kearney, Member for Cooper
Kate Thwaites, Member for Jagajaga
Alicia Payne, Member for Canberra
Josh Wilson, Member for Fremantle

Together we can ensure Federal Labor applies the water trigger urgently to protect precious water and Country from fracking.

Personalise the message by adding a sentence or two of your own to highlight why you personally want Federal Labor to pull the water trigger.

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I’m writing to you as a concerned constituent, who believes the Federal Government must act urgently to safeguard water resources and communities in the Beetaloo Basin. Recent developments, including alarming contamination at an Empire Energy fracking site and critical findings from the Independent Expert Scientific Committee (IESC), highlight the urgent need for Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to apply the Water Trigger.

Firstly, I would like to clarify misconceptions surrounding the water trigger.

#1 - The Water Trigger legislation can be applied to exploration licenses under NT Government jurisdiction.

The EPBC Act explicitly gives the Federal Government the authority to apply the water trigger when any activities related to a project, including exploration and appraisal, may significantly impact water resources.

The NT Government issues permits, but the federal government has a responsibility and ability to step in at any stage if water systems are at risk.

#2 - The water trigger applies at any stage of a project, including gas projects in the production phase if there's a significant threat to water.

This includes exploration and appraisal phases. It is not limited to production.

With this eligibility established, it is urgent that the water trigger be pulled now, for many reasons:

1. Evidence of Water Contamination: Traditional Owners in the Beetaloo Basin recently raised the alarm after contaminated water was pumped onto vegetation at an Empire Energy fracking site. (14th of Jan 2025 - National Indigenous Times “Beetaloo Basin Traditional Owners urge federal action after spill”)

This breach underscores the risks of fracking operations to water and ecosystems and raises grave concerns about the industry's ability to comply with environmental safeguards.

2.  Critical Findings from the IESC: The IESC’s advice, released in late December 2024, raises significant concerns about large-scale fracking in the Beetaloo Basin. The report highlights:

-  Critical knowledge gaps in understanding how extensive fracking will impact groundwater and ecosystems.
  -  Insufficient project and site specific assessment to address fracking risks comprehensively.
  -  Potential high likelihood and high consequences impacts to water resources in the Beetaloo region.

Without federal intervention, these risks remain dangerously unaddressed. The water trigger was specifically designed to ensure projects like these cannot proceed without robust transparency and accountability.

Your Leadership Is Crucial

As a member of Labor’s Climate Caucus, you have a vital role in advocating for the protection of water, climate and communities. The lead up to the first sitting week of Federal Parliament in early February is a critical window to demand action. The Beetaloo Basin fracking expansion should not move forward without full scientific scrutiny and a thorough assessment of its risks.

I urge you to advocate for Minister Plibersek to urgently apply the water trigger, ensuring federal oversight of fracking projects in the Beetaloo Basin.

Standing in solidarity with First Nations leaders and Territorians in this fight is the right thing to do and also aligns with Labor’s commitments to climate action and protecting water resources for future generations.

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