Switching from one fossil fuel to another is not the answer, critics say, as the federal government issues exploration permits for offshore gas and carbon dumping under the sea floor.
Permits will go to Esso and Beach Energy in the Otway and Sorrell Basins offshore Victoria and Tasmania as well as to Chevron, INPEX, Melbana and Woodside Energy on the west coast, Resources Minister Madeleine King announced on Tuesday.
