Today Parliament House hosted its largest-ever delegation of doctors.
Almost 100 of them, many from the Northern Territory, warned of increased cancer rates and other devastating health consequences if the Federal Government funds the Middle Arm project and allows fracking in the Beetaloo Basin.
In Question Time today I asked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese whether he would listen to this medical advice.
He responded by saying that five of the six projects that make up Middle Arm are not associated with fossil fuels. He said that it is important we stick to the facts.
Prime Minister, with respect, the facts are clear.
According to documents released under Freedom of Information laws, Middle Arm is central to the expansion of gas production in the Northern Territory's Beetaloo Basin.
Documents reported by the ABC show the Northern Territory government described the project as a "new gas demand centre".
The equation is simple: Middle Arm is required to frack the Beetaloo Basin, and fracking the Beetaloo Basin would mean 1.4 billion tonnes more carbon in the atmosphere. Middle Arm is a fossil fuel project.
The scientists -- and now the doctors -- have made it clear we cannot approve any new coal or gas projects if we are to keep global warming under 1.5 degrees Celsius.
I urge the Federal Government to listen to the scientists and doctors and withdraw its $1.5 billion in funding from Middle Arm.