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GPs take climate fight to Parliament House
An army of doctors has descended on Parliament House to rally against a NT gas extraction proposal, labelling it ‘cancer alley’.
A group of doctors has arrived in Canberra to rally outside Parliament House, calling for changes to the Northern Territory’s gas projects. (Image: AAP Photos)
A delegation of GPs from across Australia has landed in Canberra, urging the Federal Government to withdraw $1.5 billion in funding from two linked gas projects to help protect the health of the Northern Territory.
The group is pleading for an end to Darwin’s Middle Arm manufacturing hub proposal and the fracking of the Beetaloo Basin, 100 kilometres south of Katherine.
The protestors, including Kooyong Independent MP Dr Monique Ryan, said the two projects pose serious threats to the health and wellbeing of Territorians, and will also accelerate climate change.
It comes after an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pleading for action was signed by more than 2500 healthcare professionals and 10,000 people in total.
The group of healthcare professionals took over the steps of Parliament House on Tuesday morning, airing serious health concerns about Middle Arm, claiming it will expose locals to carcinogenic pollutants.
At Beetaloo Basin, it says Territorians could also face groundwater and soil contamination from chemicals released by fracking, which are potentially carcinogenic and toxic to the human nervous, hormonal, and reproductive systems.
Dr Kate Wylie, Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Climate and Environmental Medicine was at the Canberra rally and told newsGP the group is determined to protect the health of people in the Northern Territory.
‘We’re talking things like bad pregnancy outcomes, miscarriage, low birth weights, we’re talking childhood cancers,’ she said.
‘We’re also talking obviously the effects of pollution on adults as well – so heart attacks, strokes, chronic lung disease, and then also the effects of lack of water.’
Healthcare professionals raised concerns about ‘serious health risks’ that could threaten nearby communities. (Image: AAP Photos)
The Northern Territory Government announced in May this year it would permit fracking of the Beetaloo Basin, one of the world’s largest untapped gas reserves, with work now underway to progress that plan.
Government leaders are also standing firm in their backing of the Middle Arm Project, with NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles slamming its opponents, saying it opens ‘opportunities for energy transition, exports and jobs’.
‘The onshore shale gas industry in the Territory is one of the most regulated and researched industries in the NT,’ Ms Fyles said.
But local doctors say they feel unheard, with 90% of the Territory’s paediatricians writing to Chief Minister Fyles about concerns they have regarding the projects’ health impacts.
‘Our health system is already at capacity, we cannot afford to be seeing more pregnancy complications, more cardiovascular disease, more asthma presentations or more childhood cancers,’ NT paediatrician Dr Louise Woodward said.
Dr Wylie said the Federal Government should be listening to the group and diverting its money elsewhere.
‘It’s 1.5 billion that they’re giving to Middle Arm – use it to protect people’s health [instead],’ she said.
‘GPs are committed healthcare practitioners [and] … we’re embedded in the communities we serve.
‘What we are doing today is going to be extremely beneficial for the health of all impacted Northern Territory communities.’
After the early morning rally, the group had scheduled up to 40 meetings with MPs to raise awareness about their concerns.
Meanwhile, at a Greens Party Room Meeting, members pushed for an inquiry into the Middle Arm funding and former Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s involvement in its allocation.
This morning’s rally represented one of the largest delegation of doctors to ever come to Parliament House, with Dr Wylie remaining hopeful of change.
‘I think we’re being listened to; I hope that we are. I hope that they take us seriously,’ she said.
‘We’re going to continue to make noise about this until we get something.’
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