Read our open letter signed by Elders and leaders of our community. We are asking the @MarkMcGowanMP govt to remove gag clauses. We are asking @WoodsideEnergy to pause new projects on the Burrup and give our people a voice. https://t.co/cIA6ZKLNLc

Murujuga traditional custodian Raelene Cooper today releases a ‘Statement from the heart’ following last week’s Federal Court Santos Barossa pipeline decision and the destructive narrative from the fossil fuel industry seeking to exploit it to influence regulatory reform

These destructive atrocities still continue in our nation and I continue to call it out. As traditional custodians, our obligation is to protect land and sea. The government has lied to the Australian people and they have lied to First Nations people of this country.”

Woodside has been gaslighting the government, the legal system and the Australian public by making misleading claims about their consultation with me. The truth is that Woodside’s approach to consultation with me has been arrogant and disrespectful from day one.

Our majestic whales carry the stories of our people, carry our songlines from one part of Country to another, they are our dreaming stories that I hold. I have warned previously that the impacts of such destructive activities will be life threatening for these precious species.

I am heartbroken, devastated and furious that our governments continue to allow Woodside’s Burrup Hub to destroy our sacred rock art, our songlines and our precious marine sanctuaries.

Just two months after the Federal Court threw out Woodside’s last approval, NOPSEMA has waved through a new approval in secret on a Friday night in a breathtaking regulatory stitch-up that illustrates a system completely captive to Woodside’s fossil fuel interests.

Mardudhunera woman and Murujuga traditional custodian Raelene Cooper said on Monday morning: “I was informed late on Friday night that Woodside has been given new approvals by NOPSEMA to commence drilling and to start seismic blasting this weekend.

Ms Cooper has previously criticised Woodside’s consultation as “arrogant, disrespectful and at times hostile” during an ongoing lobbying campaign from the gas industry aiming to rewrite regulations that require companies like Woodside to consult with traditional custodians

NOPSEMA has now approved a seismic blasting Environment Plan resubmitted by Woodside after just one further meeting with Ms Cooper on October 4, which was aborted halfway through after Ms Cooper was made aware that Woodside had shared sensitive cultural matters with other parties

The fresh approval comes after a Federal Court decision on September 28 overturned Woodside’s previous NOPSEMA approval due to inadequate cultural heritage consultation with Ms Cooper.

Late on Friday 1 December, federal regulator NOPSEMA approved Woodside to start drilling and seismic blasting at the Scarborough gas field from Saturday 2 December, with shipping data confirming Woodside already had a ship positioned in the area https://t.co/HH2O8EsEJR

Murujuga traditional custodian Raelene Cooper condemned approvals granted to Woodside on Friday night for seismic blasting and drilling for their Burrup Hub just two months after the Federal Court threw out previous approval https://t.co/0yR0qRabVc

BREAKING: “Breathtaking regulatory scandal” - Murujuga traditional custodian Raelene Cooper condemns new NOPSEMA approvals for Woodside drilling and seismic blasting despite Federal Court decision 🧵 https://t.co/jRXhA8L0kr

This is appalling, @AustralianLabor @tanya_plibersek @Bowenchris @Josh4Freo @CarinaGarlandMP “"I am heartbroken, devastated and furious at this latest betrayal…” - T.O. & Mardudhunera woman - Raelene Cooper Woodside wins approval for seismic blasting

"Woodside has once again been given the all-clear to carry out seismic testing after an earlier approval was ruled invalid by the Federal Court. Last month Raelene Cooper had criticised Woodside saying she had only been consulted once since the hearing" https://t.co/jRXhA8L0kr

Statement from Mardudhunera woman and Murujuga traditional custodian Raelene Cooper:

Statement from Mardudhunera woman and Murujuga traditional custodian Raelene Cooper about new NOPSEMA approvals for Woodside to commence drilling and immediate seismic blasting:

This silly lie just shows how the government continues to cover up for Woodside while they build the Burrup Hub on top of our sacred rock art and Songlines

Burrup Peninsula: Embarrassing reason ancient Indigenous site won't be listed on the World Heritage register "There are no animals or bush medicine out on the Burrup now, all you see is dust and chaos as these massive projects destroy our sacred sites" https://t.co/yypLNgBE4a