IPAN Patrons: Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe AO & Kellie Tranter Lawyer & Human Rights Activist
MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12 March 2025
- US-based company Crowley should face penalty (not special treatment) for breach of NT Building Act
- Risks for Territory residents and environment from project with gas leak exposed
- US aircraft fuel tanks are positioned in the top end for US Air Force preparedness for war
- Crowley was the manager of the US tanker carrying jet fuel in accident in the North Sea two days ago
The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) is dismayed by the announcement from the NT Chief Minister Lia Finnochiaro that no penalties will be handed to US-based company Crowley, after a leak revealed they had built a bulk fuel storage facility on Darwin Harbour without first securing a building permit.
‘Such behaviour should be subject to the same penalties that would apply to any other business in breach of the NT Northern Territory Building Act 1993’, stated Mr Justin Tutty, spokesperson for IPAN.
‘Why should a project built to support US military activities in the Asia-Pacific get special treatment when it has breached NT law?’, asked Mr Tutty.
‘The Chief Minister’s justification for not enforcing any penalty because of the Australia-US alliance and the need to protect this relationship, actually prioritises the needs of the US above those of NT residents, stated Mr Tutty.
This situation raises alarm bells about what else the NT Government will do to pander to the desires of the US as it seeks to further build up its war preparations and enmesh the AUKUS arrangements in Australia.
‘Territory residents need to be fully aware that the fuel tanks are positioned in the top end for US Air Force preparedness for war – which exposes the NT and its residents to risk in the event of a US war breaking out.’
‘Residents also need to be aware of the Force Posture Agreement[i] between the US and Australia, which underpins and provides the US contractor authority to construct the fuel storage facility for the US military to use in launching and supporting war from Australian territory.’, said Mr Tutty.
‘Additionally, the decision to not penalise Crowley should raise concerns for Territorians regarding whether the current Government will govern with transparency and accountability’, said Mr Tutty.
‘Leaders in Australia must stand up to the United States and demand compliance with Australian laws’ and ‘we call on the NT and Australian Governments to halt and reduce the militarisation of the NT’, Mr Tutty.
‘IPAN is also alarmed about ‘water intrusion’ in the fuel tanks’ leak detection system. Given the tanks are designed to hold 300 million litres of military-grade jet fuel, there are huge risks for Territory residents and the environment from this project’, said Mr Tutty.
‘And only two days ago, Crowley was the manager of the US Tanker carrying jet fuel in the accident with a Portuguese Container Ship in the North Sea highlighting a concerning track record for Crowley’, said Mr Tutty.
This accident must raise alarm bells for the NT Government who must prioritise the needs of residents over appeasing the US’, concluded Mr Tutty.
ENDS
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For Media Interviews: Justin Tutty 0424 028 741;
IPAN Media Liaison: Jonathan Pilbrow, 0403 611 815
Bio: Justin Tutty is a Darwin-based anti-nuclear activist and founding member of IPAN
[i] The Force Posture Agreement for example, allows the US to station troops in Darwin, store supplies in Australia, and use Australian ports and airfields; and also includes activities like collaborative airbase operations, combat support, and logistics