Woodside Demands Activists Reveal Names of Stink-Bomb Protest Planners

By Samantha Goerling

Topic: Oil and Gas

Thursday, 16 July 2026, at 7:22 pm

Climate activists Kristen Morrissey and Joana Partyka were key players in the stink-bomb protest at Woodside's Perth headquarters in 2023.

In short:

Western Australia's Supreme Court heard Woodside's bid to force climate activists to reveal the identities of those involved in a stink-bomb protest at the company's Perth headquarters.

The company believes more people were involved in the stunt and wants to pursue damages against them.

The activists claim the lawsuit is designed to stop protests.

Woodside has taken three climate activists to court to force them to hand over documents about the planning of a stink-bomb protest.

Protesters set off the stink bomb inside Woodside's Perth building in 2023, causing an evacuation.

The company wants financial damages due to damage and lost productivity.

Climate activist Kristen Morrissey released gas as part of a protest at Woodside's headquarters in June 2023.

Kristen Morrissey, Joana Partyka, and Emil Davey were named in the Supreme Court civil suit.

All three activists were sentenced for their roles in the incident last year.

There is suspicion that more people were involved.

Woodside's lawyer, Steven Penglis, said the company believes more people were involved in planning the protest.

Lawyer Steven Penglis said the action had a significant impact on Woodside and its employees.

Woodside intends to start proceedings against all parties it can identify.

Justice Matthew Howard questioned why the company believed more people were involved beyond speculation.

This is a common method used by protest groups around the world.

Woodside Energy threatens to sue individual activists for financial damages.

A fourth person was identified but not charged during the criminal proceedings.

The protest had a considerable impact on Woodside and its employees.

A protest at the former Woodside CEO's home is an example of others being involved in planning.

Four people drove to the CEO's home to splash paint and lock themselves to a gate before police stopped them.

The battle over climate change is escalating in Western Australia.

The stunt was documented by an ABC Four Corners crew, sparking backlash from politicians and media commentators.

The ABC initially said it had no prior knowledge of the protest, but later acknowledged it had some awareness.

The intention is to dissuade activists.

Defence lawyer Dane Chandler said his client had volunteered access to her devices during the police investigation.

Three environmental protesters avoided prison for releasing stench gas that forced the evacuation of Woodside Energy's headquarters.

There is no reason to examine the activist as she has no documents.

The court heard Woodside sent similar letters to five activists, which the defence said proved the company knew of more people's names and addresses.

Tom Blackburn argued that none of the evidence rises above speculation.

Justice Howard adjourned the hearing to consider his decision.

The chaos of climate action could be more harmful than helpful.

Speaking outside court, Partyka said she believed the sole intention of the litigation was to dissuade activists.

Woodside does not comment on matters before the courts but pointed to a previously published company position statement on activism.

Woodside condemns unlawful acts that threaten or harm employees or the community.

Woodside fully supports respectful debate, including on complex challenges like climate change.

Thursday, 16 July 2026, at 7:22 pm

Thursday, 16 July 2026, at 7:32 pm

See more ABC coverage in your search results

Promotion

Pratique d'écoute

Pratique d'écoute