Arabic version: وودسايد تطالب بهويات متظاهري قنبلة الروائح في محكمة غرب أستراليا
Woodside has launched a civil case in Western Australia’s Supreme Court seeking documents from three climate activists to identify anyone involved in a stink-bomb protest at its Perth headquarters.
According to ABC News, the suit names Kristen Morrissey, who released the gas, and Joana Partyka and Emil Davey, who were involved in planning and preparation. The protest in 2023 forced evacuation of Woodside’s 29-storey building for several hours and the company said it intends to seek financial damages for damage and loss of productivity.
In court senior counsel Steven Penglis told Justice Matthew Howard Woodside believed more people than the three sentenced had been involved and said, “We intend to commence proceedings against all the parties we can identify.” Justice Howard queried why the company believed that “beyond mere speculation,” noting an “extensive police operation” had already been completed. Penglis told the court a fourth person had been identified but not charged during the criminal proceedings.
The court heard Woodside pointed to a separate protest at the home of former chief executive Meg O’Neill as an example of wider planning and rehearsal by people aligned with the Disrupt Burrup Hub campaign. That incident was documented by an ABC Four Corners crew; the ABC initially said the crew had no prior knowledge of the protest, and former managing director David Anderson later acknowledged it did have “some awareness” of what was planned.
This case matters because Woodside says the lobby stunt had a “considerable impact on Woodside and its employees” and intends to pursue damages, while defendants argue the litigation is designed to dissuade activists. Defence counsel Dane Chandler told the court Morrissey had volunteered access to her devices during the police investigation and that police had searched her residence and taken documents; he submitted, “there is no reason to examine her, on the basis that she has no documents.” Defence lawyers also noted Woodside sent similar letters to a total of five activists, which they said indicated the company already knew additional names and addresses.
The hearing was adjourned while Justice Howard considers his decision. What happens next is that the judge will decide whether the activists must hand over documents and identities. Woodside declined to comment on matters before the court but reiterated a published position condemning unlawful acts that threaten or disrupt employees while saying it supports respectful debate on complex issues like climate change.
Related sections: Australia/استراليا | Western Australia | General | Economy/اقتصاد
