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Based on recent analysis, government ministers engaged with representatives from the petroleum industry more than 500 times throughout their first year in government – equivalent to double per working day.

Marked Uptick Compared to Prior Leadership

The research found that petroleum sector advocates were participating in 48% extra government meetings during the current government's opening year compared to the previous year.

Government Defense

Officials supported the engagements, claiming that ministers conducted discussions with a wide range of delegates from "power industry, worker groups and community groups to advance our renewable energy leading initiative".

Rising Worries About Corporate Lobbying

Nevertheless, the findings have caused alarm among observers about the extent of the oil and gas sector's sway over officials at a moment when ministers are attempting to lower bills and shift to a greener power framework.

Key Findings

The study, which draws from the ministerial published record of government discussions, additionally revealed:

• Ministers at the Energy and Climate Department held meetings with oil industry representatives 274 times, with corporate delegates present at approximately one-fourth of meetings.

• The climate official met with fossil fuel lobbyists 250 times – with one-third of all his meetings including industry figures.

• Throughout the same period ministry officials engaged with trade union representatives 61 times.

• Several leading fossil fuel companies engaged with officials 100 times between them.

• Fossil fuel lobbyists attended the majority of ministerial discussion about the windfall tax, a short-term levy against the "unprecedented revenues" of marine petroleum firms.

Party Statements

An environmental politician remarked: "Rather than listening to scientists, populations suffering from climate events, or guardians eager to guarantee a protected environment for their future generations, this government is favoring corporate representatives and profits for major petroleum companies."

Official Denial

Officials insisted the results were "deceptive", stating many of the corporations listed also had sustainable power initiatives and that these topics were frequently the primary subject of the discussions.

"Our primary objective is a equitable, orderly and prosperous change in the marine area in line with our ecological and statutory requirements, and we are collaborating with the industry to preserve present and coming generations of decent work."

Global Background

Multiple leading oil and gas companies have been criticised for cutting their green investments in the past few years amid a international resistance against climate action.

An advocacy leader from an climate legal group commented: "The government vowed a people-focused leadership, but that shouldn't involve submitting to companies earning revenue out of environmental crisis. It's necessary to stop cosying up to environmental offenders and prioritize citizens."