SYDNEY, 20 March 2026 — Greenpeace Australia Pacific has slammed the Federal Government’s decision to approve a massive gas expansion in Queensland, saying the decision prioritises corporate superprofits over our communities and climate.
The approval allows Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG), a joint venture between Origin Energy and multinational giants ConocoPhillips and Sinopec, to drill 1,695 new gas wells until 2081.
APLNG exports over 75% of their gas overseas for massive profit, while everyday people face soaring energy bills, and climate disasters like floods and fires.
This decision marks the 36th oil or gas approval by the Albanese Government since taking office in 2022. APLNG still requires approval from the Queensland Government for the project to move ahead.
Solaye Snider, Climate Campaigner at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: “This is first and foremost a betrayal of our climate, flying in the face of commitments Australia has made on the world stage to transition away from fossil fuels.
“This massive expansion serves only one purpose: deliver superprofits to greedy corporations like Origin Energy, ConocoPhillips and Sinopec who have an endless appetite for more gas. They are bleeding our country dry and burning it at the same time, with the green-light from the government.
“While the gas industry uses the war in Iran to scaremonger and price-gouge, distracting from the fact they are making superprofits from the windfall profits of war and paying barely any tax, the rest of the world is waking up to the fact that fossil fuels are the ultimate liability.
“The truth is, we don’t need to drill for more polluting dirty gas. We already have enough gas in Australia to support the transition to cheaper, cleaner energy without locking in more harm.
“The Australian government needs to wake up and realise there is no future in fossil fuels. Australia’s economic future is in clean energy and green industries. The longer we delay that reality, the further we will be left behind.”
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The value of Australia’s coal and gas exports is predicted to plummet by 50% over the next five years as global demand for fossil fuel falls, according to Treasury modelling.
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The approval permits APLNG to clear up to 853 hectares of Koala habitat and 428 hectares of Greater Glider habitat — both listed as threatened species under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
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The approval also requires APLNG to maintain a public Register of Assessed Chemicals — including drilling chemicals assessed for toxicity and persistence in the environment — because the government recognised these chemicals pose a risk to groundwater and protected species.
Images available for download via the Greenpeace Media Library.
Contact details:
Lucy Keller on 0491 135 308 or [email protected]
