Northern Territory to monitor gas industry emissions
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The Northern Territory parliament passed a “safe air” bill establishing a scheme to monitor toxic air pollutants released by the gas industry around Darwin Harbour.
The new law follows scandals involving Inpex and Santos, companies that previously under-reported dangerous emissions. Currently, only the gas companies themselves measure volatile organic compounds like benzene and toluene, but the new scheme will add six monitoring stations to independently assess air quality.
NT Lands, Planning and Environment Minister Joshua Burgoyne stated the system will be operational by the middle of next year and provide public reassurance about air safety as industrial activity increases in the region. The gas industry will fund the monitoring program, though the bill allows the government to require contributions from other unspecified parties. Independent and opposition politicians criticised the government for lacking detail in the legislation.
Justine Davis, an independent MLA, noted the bill does not define “safe air” or specify where monitoring will occur. Manuel Brown, the Shadow Environment Minister, argued the bill missed an opportunity to establish stronger pollution limits. The department has so far only consulted with industry about the scheme and has no plans to consult with health or environmental experts, or the public.
