[Greens-Media] Greens Senator to survey WA oil spill

[Norton, Tim (Sen R. Siewert)]

Greens Senator to survey WA oil spill 
Thursday 27th August 2009

Australian Greens marine spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert will
tomorrow visit the site of the West Atlas oil spill, to survey the site
and the extent of the spill.

"This is an area of high marine biodiversity, and I will be travelling
out there to see for myself the extent of the spill and potential
environmental damage," said Senator Siewert.

"I am concerned that the relief drill rig currently on its way to the
spill site will take 17 days until it would be ready to begin work. The
area affected is close to the unique ecosystems of Ashmore and Browse
Island. With the leakage expected to continue for so long, I'm concerned
about the risk of environmental damage to these precious areas."

Senator Siewert will fly over the oil spill site on Friday 27th August,
and is available for comment before 7am WST and after 4:30pm WST. Aerial
photographs and video will be made available to the media upon their
return.

For more information or media enquiries please call Tim Norton on 0418
401 180