Honest Government Ad | Visit Western Australia! (Patreon)

Dear Patrons of the Juice Media

Here is the latest Honest Government Ad you've made possible. Our first Aussie HGA since the federal election!

Without doubt, Australia now has a much better federal government (although, lets face it - the previous one set a pretty low bar).

But the fight against the climate and extinction crisis is far from over; it's just entered a new stage. And in Season 3, one of the key aims of the Honest Government Ads will be to chronicle the climate shitfuckery as it unfolds, to try and keep this new government honest. And other governments too when needed.

And we begin on the west coast, the heartland of Australia's mining industry, where the WA (Labor) State Government has given the green-light to what would become become Australia's most polluting fossil-fuel project: the Burrup Hub.

There's so much wrong with this project that it was hard to know where to start.

Firstly, the WA Government is a case study in the concept of state capture. And to illustrate this I wanted to try something new with this HGA, which is why it is co-hosted by an amalgam of the WA State Government and Woodside.

Woodside's influence in WA is staggering: this is company that is way too confident for a fossil-fuel giant in the middle of a climate emergency: its logo is plastered everywhere, even on the kids' learn to swim program (which just blows my mind). And it's skyscraper symbolically sits opposite Parliament House, as if to remind its occupants who runs the state.

A campaign is already under way to revoke Woodside's social license - led by WA parents and several prominent people, such as iconic writer Tim Winton. And with this HGA I wanted to lend our support to their efforts.

But our new federal Labor government also has a hand in this shitshow since it has thrown its support behind the first stages of this project - approvals now sit with the environment minister, Tanya Plibersek.

Of course, Australia elected this government to end the climate shitfuckery, not to make it worse. So I thought we should help raise awareness of what is happening.
Because I'm sure I don't need to tell you - we're in a climate emergency and opening up new massive gas fields is like pouring petrol on the fire. The projected emissions from this project are staggering. And it will take a massive dump on Australia's efforts to contribute towards meeting the Paris target.

Double madness when we consider that the benefits to Australia are minimal compared to the climate risks: most of the gas will be exported, netting massive profits for gas companies that contribute bugger-all to the Australian economy (bugger-all company tax, royalties, PRRT and bugger-all jobs compared to other sectors).

So in short, shitfuckery at it's finest.

And then of course there's the risk it poses to the natural environment and to Aboriginal heritage - since this giant tumour is located right next to the incredible Murujuga rock art, one of the oldest art galleries in the world - a site which is being considered for world heritage status. (Please take a minute please make a submission to the Murujuga cultural heritage assessment here. The deadline is November 16)

Tying all this together required a lot of research and talking with experts. And that is why it took me longer than usual to make this HGA. Also, I really wanted our first Aussie HGA of Season 3 to be a banger.

So apologies for the slight delay in getting this HGA out before the end the month, but I hope the wait was worth it!

Thank you to every single one of you for supporting our work and making it possible for me to dedicate my time to researching, writing and producing the Honest Government Ads.

I'm going to take a few days to recover and spend time with the family after a mammoth past few weeks. Luca and Juno turned 5 and 3, respectively, while I was making this HGA!

I'll be back soon - either with the podcast or the next HGA - whichever one comes out first.

Till then, take care.

Giordano & team

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