WOODSIDE CEO REFUSES TO APOLOGISE FOR DAMAGE CAUSED TO ANCIENT ROCK ART

The Woodside AGM was held last week where members of the community were able to ask questions to Chairman Richard Goyder and CEO and Managing Director Meg O’Neill. During the meeting, Kuruma activist, Josie Alec asked Meg Oniell if she would apologise for Woodside moving ancient rock art when the first gas plant was built on the Burrup Peninsular in Murujuga National Park. Ms Alec said she expected Ms O’Niell wouldn’t apologise. 

Josie Alec said, “I knew in my heart that there was not going to be an apology but the question had to be asked and she didn’t apologise so that just goes to show Woodside’s absolute disregard for the cultural heritage that is Murujuga, their total disregard for the Ancient Culture.”

She went on to say Woodside knows what they are doing, “They know fully the cultural extent Murujuga holds. That’s why they have put together the Bimea agreement and the gag clauses on it.”

 Woodside CEO Meg O'Neill acknowledged what Woodside had done in the 1970s was wrong but did not apologise for Woodside’s actions

“We have in the past acknowledged that our actions, while we were building the Karratha gas plant, were not best in kind in the 1970s. Ms O’Neil explained.

“It’s not what we would do today and we regret the damage that was caused at that point in time, subsequently we worked with the Traditional Custodians to relocate the rock art that was moved in the construction process to somewhere that would be more culturally appropriate.”

Construction of Woodsides Pluto Train 2 has commenced and will support the Scarborough gas project.