On 12 June 2019, Save Westernport supporters travelled from Hastings to Melbourne to meet AGL CEO Brett Redman in person.
Brett Redman was a guest presenter at the 2019 Australian Energy Week Conference 11-14 June at the Melbourne Conference and Exhibition Centre.
It seemed an opportune time to remind Mr Redman about AGL’s lack of social licence for their proposed floating gas import and processing terminal and associated pipeline from Crib Point to Pakenham.
Environment Victoria and Save Westernport decided it was a perfect time to present the 17,000+ signature strong “NO AGL GAS” petition and organised a bus from Hastings to the CBD.
An invitation was sent to the energy giant’s CEO asking him to meet Westernport residents outside the conference to receive the petition after his “Helping customers and community through energy transition” speech.
This request was declined. However, subsequent discussions between AGL and Save Westernport secured a private meeting with Brett the same day at 8am with Save Westernport’s Louise Page.
AGL also provided a day pass to the conference so Louise could attend the conference presentation.
So, armed with letters to Mr Redman from 10 year old Dashi Roller and another from Federal Member for Flinders, Greg Hunt MP, Jono La Nauze (CEO Environment Victoria) and Louise met Kelly Parkinson (Senior Manager Project Engagement ) and joined the AGL CEO to articulate your concerns face to face.
Our message of overwhelming opposition and disappointment that AGL is continuing on this path of damage and detriment for Westernport and in full knowledge of our climate emergency was delivered succinctly.
A reminder about the recent stand by all the Federal election candidates for Flinders served to confirm everything we had to say.
Mr Redman responded by letting us know that he is well aware of our concerns, is not in “a vacuum” and receives regular updates about the opposition to the project.
He also said that there is a supply issue and that AGL would not be undertaking capital expenditure of this magnitude without the need.
(Could that need be continued profit not just in the gas sector but also their electricity income stream? Ergo the two new gas fired electricity generators in SA and NSW?)
Mr Redman also said that Greg Hunt MP has made his views known to him on several occasions.
Thank you, Greg.
Lastly, we let him know that we are not going away and that the community’s opposition grows daily!