Oscar nominees gifted 1 sq metre of Australian scrub – but they can’t ‘use’ the land

Pieces of Australia paid $4,000 to secure a spot in the Academy Awards gift bag, which is sent by the company Distinctive Assets to the acting and directing nominees. Photograph: Google Maps

Oscar nominees are set to receive 1 sq metre of land in outback Australia in their gift bags this year, but green organisations have questioned the environmental mission of the company whose property they say is in the heart of a coal seam gas field.

Pieces of Australia is one of a number of brands to pay $4,000 to secure a spot in the hamper that is unaffiliated with the Academy but sent by the company Distinctive Assets to the acting and directing nominees.