Wicks confirms continuing opposition to PEP-11
Federal Liberal Member for Robertson Ms Lucy Wicks has confirmed her continuing opposition to PEP-11.
She reaffirmed her commitment after Labor candidate for Robertson Dr Gordon Reid and State Labor Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch expressed their "deep disappointment" that she joined the Government to "vote down the Stop PEP-11 Bill".
Dr Reid said: "Lucy Wicks, who says she is opposed to oil and gas drilling off our coast, voted against bringing on a debate on the Stop PEP-11 bill."
He claimed that Ms Wicks was "saying yes to PEP-11" with "the risks to thousands of jobs and our environment".
Ms Wicks said: "The motion put forward by the Member for Warringah (Ms Zali Steggall) on Thursday was not a vote on PEP-11.
"It was a procedural motion on the suspension of standing orders.
"I contributed to that debate and I made it very clear that I am incredibly supportive of the views of my community that PEP-11 does not go ahead."
Ms Wicks said she announced on April 24 that, "under a Morrison Government, PEP-11 will not go ahead".
"This commitment has not changed.
"The Prime Minister has said no to PEP-11.
"My community has said no to PEP-11, and I'm saying no to PEP-11.
"The Prime Minister has made a promise to the Central Coast to not let this happen.
"I have made that same promise to the Central Coast.
"You can trust our promise."
Ms Wicks said that Parliament was considering an application is for an extension of a license that has been around for 50 years.
"The application that is before the Parliament is not for an oil rig.
"It is not for an exploration well.
"It is not an application to go drilling for oil and gas.
"In fact, the last time that an application for drilling was approved in the PEP-11 Permit area was under the former Labor Government in 2010 by the then Member for Watson Mr Tony Burke.
"This issue is too important for playing politics."
SOURCE:
Social media, 23 Oct 2021
Lucy Wicks, Member for Robertson