Statement by Steve Knott AM, Chief Executive Officer Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association:

The Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association welcomes the Federal Court’s decision to green light Santos’ Barossa offshore gas project.

After a long and costly legal challenge, the ruling is a considered and sensible outcome that will inject confidence into the offshore oil and gas industry.

Worth over $5 billion in capital expenditure, Barossa is a key project in demonstrating Australia remains one of the world’s best destinations for offshore energy development.

Having such important projects held up in environmental and land access lawfare is not in the interests of our nation’s future energy stability or LNG export earnings, the benefits of which the whole community enjoys.

Today’s decision will be celebrated by many small and medium businesses involved in its construction and several hundred workers set to benefit from the job opportunities.

This assurance is vital for the long-term future of an industry on the precipice of a new wave of investment, with committed projects set to tip $80 billion into Australia’s engineering, construction and related industries by 2028.