A long list of prominent people are speaking out against major gas works. 

In a significant show of solidarity for the preservation of Indigenous cultural heritage, a group including former Labor leaders Kim Beazley, Carmen Lawrence, and Peter Dowding, have taken a stand against the proposed extension of a gas project on the Burrup Peninsula, Western Australia. 

The Woodside project is said to pose a threat to the ancient Aboriginal rock art in the area, sparking a public appeal to Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek.

The Burrup Peninsula, also known by its Aboriginal name, Murujuga, is home to an estimated one million ancient carvings that are at risk due to industrial emissions. 

This heritage site, currently under consideration for UNESCO World Heritage status, is caught in a debate over the impact of gas emissions on the rock art, with some studies suggesting potential long-term damage.

The public figures' plea, through an open letter by Friends of Australian Rock Art (FARA), urges the protection of these cultural landmarks. The concerns are not only about the emissions but also about the significant carbon footprint anticipated from the gas project, which environmentalists describe as a “carbon bomb”.

Woodside has defended its plans, saying it is committed to protecting the area's cultural heritage and noting its involvement in a state-run monitoring program designed to guide the management and safeguarding of the rock art until 2026.

While the debate continues, the Federal Government has expressed its commitment to protecting Murujuga's cultural heritage, with Minister Plibersek's office highlighting a $2 million grant aimed at fostering agreements between the government, industry, and the traditional owners represented by the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation.