Union Advocates for Worker Rights Amid INPEX Dispute
On 8 April 2026, the Offshore Alliance escalated its ongoing conflict with INPEX by applying to the Fair Work Commission for a Protected Action Ballot Order (PABO). This move follows more than six months of unresolved negotiations over critical issues like pay, job security, and working conditions.
Representing 400 highly skilled workers, the Offshore Alliance covers INPEX’s Ichthys LNG operations, which include facilities in Darwin and offshore in the Timor Sea. So far, negotiations have not led to substantial progress, with INPEX’s latest enterprise agreement offer falling below industry standards, as per internal polls conducted by the Alliance.
“Workers who operate some of the most complex and high-risk facilities in the country are being asked to accept an agreement that does nothing to address their concerns about pay, conditions, and job security,” stated Chris Donovan, the Offshore Alliance spokesman and AWU Assistant National Secretary.
Union Criticisms of INPEX Proposals
Union representatives have criticised INPEX for not agreeing to key claims, accusing the company of undermining wages, freezing allowances, and removing vital job protections. According to the union, INPEX’s proposal could lead to the erosion of real wages over time and potentially result in outsourcing and redundancies.
Approval of the Protected Action Ballot Order would enable union members to vote on taking protected industrial actions, such as strikes or work stoppages. Chris Donovan emphasised, “This application is about union members exercising a democratic right to endorse industrial action in pursuit of a fair and acceptable collective agreement.”
INPEX’s current enterprise agreement, finalised in early 2022, was the first negotiated by the Offshore Alliance with a major gas producer. Later agreements followed with Shell’s Prelude FLNG and both Woodside Energy and Chevron Australia in 2023.
Seeking a second-generation agreement with INPEX, a tier-one operator, the Offshore Alliance aims to build on the success of previous negotiations. These talks could set a precedent for future agreements within the industry.
Plans are underway for a member ballot later this month, and if the PABO is approved, industrial action could start as early as 3 May.
Last updated: 8 April 2026, 10:04 pm
