Activist could face massive bill after stink gas 'prank' interrupts 2500 workers
While activists maintain the gas was harmless Woodside has threatened to make them cough up for cleaning and interrupting workers.
A stink gas “prank” that interrupted 2500 workers at Australia’s largest oil and gas company, could see activists sued in court.
In a legal letter sent to 38-year-old Joana Partyka, Woodside said it suffered “loss and financial damage” because of the disruption at its Perth offices last month.
It then asks her to dob in others involved in the June 1 incident that caused its building to be temporarily evacuated. The letter asks for images, maps and all text messages and emails that were used to plan the climate-change action.
An activist group associated with the prank, Disrupt Burrup Hub told media the gas released was "harmless non-toxic stench gas", but Yahoo understands Woodside disputes this.
Disrupt Burrup Hub also said Ms Partyka was not present on June 1. Ms Partyka was arrested two weeks later on June 12 and she faces criminal charges in relation to the June 1 incident that are separate to Woodside's civil action threat.
“I am unable to comment on the Incident because I was nowhere near Woodside headquarters when it was completely evacuated by a gas leak hoax," Ms Partyka said.
Woodside disputes action from extreme groups is 'harmless'
Woodside’s legal letter, dated June 29, threatens to pursue the matter in the Supreme Court of Western Australia if Ms Partyka does not comply with its request to supply them with documents — something she is refusing to do. On Thursday morning, Woodside told Yahoo it does not comment on matters before the courts.
"Certain individuals have been charged with criminal offences in connection with an incident at Woodside headquarters... on 1 June. Woodside does not comment on matters that are before the courts," it said.
Woodside maintains it is "misleading" for what it describes as "extreme groups" to describe their activities as “harmless”.
"Recent incidents have had deliberate direct impacts on people and risk community safety, with a range of harmful consequences," it said in an earlier statement.
Across Australia, most Liberal and Labor state governments have introduced tough new penalties to try and stop direct action by protesters.
Timeline of protests against Woodside by Disrupt Burrup Hub
Woodside wants to expand its gas extraction operations in the Burrup Peninsula, an area nominated for UNESCO world heritage listing. The site is home to the world's oldest collection of Indigenous rock art, and it has been damaged by mining.
Here are three other separate incidents by Disrupt Burrup Hub activists:
January 19 — Activists paint Woodside logo on Art Gallery of WA painting.
February 13 — ‘Disrupt Burrup Hub’ painted in yellow paint on Woodside building.
February 21 — Woodside logo painted on WA Parliament six times.
April 28 — Activists release stink gas at Woodside AGM.
May 3 — Woodside logo painted outside WA Police building.
May 20 — AFL game sponsored by Woodside interrupted.
Greenpeace describes threats as 'on the nose'
Greenpeace Australia Pacific CEO David Ritter said threatening to sue the activist over the gas prank was “a bit on the nose”.
“Given the threat Woodside poses to our oceans and climate, it’s understandable why some West Australians are mobilising to stop it,” he said.
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Acting Greens leader Senator Mehreen Faruqi said her party supports disruptive protests that draw attention to the link between coal, oil and gas companies and the climate crisis.
“Woodside is a corporate villain, pure and simple. They are destroying the planet, reaping billions in profits,” she said.
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