Two Greenpeace activists detained after boarding offshore gas platform
Two Greenpeace activists were taken into custody on Sunday after climbing onto a floating production platform at Woodside’s Scarborough gas project, about 375 kilometres off Western Australia. The protest aimed to draw attention to Greenpeace’s concerns about possible environmental effects on nearby Scott Reef, which is home to endangered species.
The activists accessed the 70,000-tonne platform early on Saturday and remained there overnight before Australian Border Force officers removed them by helicopter; Greenpeace said no charges had been laid by Sunday afternoon. Woodside said the action endangered the protesters, workers, responders and the facility, while Greenpeace described it as a peaceful protest. The project is 98 per cent complete and is expected to produce its first liquefied natural gas by the end of 2026.
- Two Greenpeace activists were taken into custody after scaling a Woodside gas platform.
- The protest focused on risks to nearby Scott Reef.
- The Scarborough project is 98 per cent complete.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of the protest argue that the potential effects of a major gas project on Scott Reef and its endangered species warrant public scrutiny, especially while the project is nearing completion. They may see a peaceful, attention-grabbing action as a way to press for accountability when ordinary channels seem insufficient, while recognising that access to an offshore facility carries risks.
The case against
Critics argue that boarding an offshore production platform can put protesters, workers and emergency responders at risk and may disrupt a complex industrial facility, even if the action is intended to be peaceful. They may accept the right to protest while maintaining that it should be exercised without unauthorised access to critical infrastructure, particularly when the project is close to beginning operations.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Two protesters in custody after Greenpeace stunt on gas rig off the Australian coast”.