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Gray was a noted climate sceptic, who had attended the inaugural meeting of the Lavoisier Group and had labelled climate change as “pop science” – until his experience at Woodside opened his eyes.
“When I joined Woodside in early 2001, I was exposed to a company whose own insights into the environment in which it operated was far in advance of mine,” he told the ABC’s Lateline program.
“I was fortunate to work with terrific engineers and outstanding environmental scientists who were capable, Emma, of extracting oil and gas in the most delicate marine environments.
“I was in awe of that work.”
He said by working with Woodside engineers, who had a deeper understanding of climate change, he was brought around to accepting climate change as a reality.
“I was a vocal climate sceptic. And as national secretary of the Labor Party I said things that frankly, Emma, nowadays embarrass me when I hear it played back,” he admitted.
“I think there's an undeniable connection between human industrial activity and carbon pollution that we need to address, that we should address and also that we can address.”
However, he denied that he would be a green resources minister, with several green figures criticising his appointment given his connection to Woodside.
“Well, I wouldn't expect my appointment to be applauded by the greens. I wouldn't ask that. I'm not a green.”
He also gave a ringing endorsement to the 457 Visa program, and played down suggestions that employers within the resources sector were rorting the system to source cheap workers.
“I don't think they are, but if rorting were to be taking place, then I certainly think it should be stood on and stamped out,” Gray said.
“Now the world has a lot of skilled workers available to us as a country and we have a demand to ensure that projects get built on time and on budget.
“So with good and insightful migration policy, I do think it's possible for us to balance the critical need to ensure that Australians get the job opportunities that they deserve and that we ensure that our projects get the skills that they need to go forward."
