The Australia Institute has welcomed reports that Norwegian oil giant Equinor is withdrawing from its plans to drill for oil in the Great Australian Bight and has said that the Federal and South Australian governments should now move towards permanent protection and World Heritage listing for the Bight.

Australia Institute research has previously shown that more than 4 in 5 South Australians (84%) and 7 in 10 Australians want to see the Bight given World Heritage protection.

“It’s time for the State and Federal Governments to step up and give the Great Australian Bight World Heritage protection,” said Noah Schultz-Byard, SA Director of The Australia Institute.

“South Australia has been left in limbo, with the threat of drilling in the Great Australian Bight hanging over the state for far too long.

“Establishing the Bight as a World Heritage icon would protect the economic, cultural and environmental interests of South Australia.

“Permanently protecting the Great Australian Bight with World Heritage listing would give South Australia the economic and tourism boost it so needs.

“With three global oil giants abandoning their plans to drill in the Bight, the time for the government to give the South Australian community certainty and permanent protection for the Great Australians Bight has come.”