“Constituents, not fossil fuel lobbyists”: Voices for Bennelong present open letter to Federal MP Jerome Laxale

Bennelong community group Voices of Bennelong has presented an open letter to federal MP Jerome Laxale, criticising his government’s approval of Woodside’s North West Shelf gas extension and calling on him to stand with “constituents, not fossil fuel lobbyists.”

The open letter was first published on June 30, and has since gained more than 300 signatures from Bennelong locals. 

“As constituents of Bennelong, we are writing to you to express our deep concern about the recent approval by your government of the extension of Woodside’s North West Shelf gas project in Western Australia to 2070”, the letter states.

Yesterday, on July 16, Voices of Bennelong presented the open letter to Laxale, ahead of him travelling to Canberra for the first sitting week of parliament. According to a Voices of Bennelong media release, Laxale said it’s “no surprise to locals that I want continued progress on climate action and the transition to renewable energy.“

“At the core of that drive, in this term, is overdue reform of our nation’s environmental laws, the establishment of a federal Environmental Protection Agency and setting a 2035 emissions reductions target,” said Laxale.

Jane Cowley, a member of the group, called the meeting “a chance for people in Bennelong to come together and show that we care about our climate, our future, and the decisions being made in our name in Canberra." 

"We believe in meaningful action, and presenting this open letter directly to Mr Laxale underscores the depth of feeling within our electorate."

The Lorikeet has contacted Jerome Laxale for comment.