Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke has missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by failing to protect the area west of Kangaroo Island from oil and gas exploration and production, Australian Greens Senator for South Australia, Penny Wright, said.

"This is an extremely disappointing outcome for Kangaroo Island and its residents. Minister Burke has not listened to their concerns, instead leaving the Island vulnerable to the very real threat of an oil spill," Senator Wright said.

Senator WRIGHT: I move:

That the Senate-

(a) notes that:
(i) up to 90 per cent of marine life within the Great Australian Bight is found nowhere else on Earth,
(ii) the Great Australian Bight is an important feeding and migration area to approximately 30 species of whales and dolphins, including sperm whales, beaked whales, southern right whales and the critically endangered blue whale, and
(iii) less than 1 per cent of this area is protected from oil and gas operations;

The Government needs to stop putting the interests of big companies ahead of the protection of Australia's unique environment and marine life, Greens Senator for South Australia, Penny Wright, said.

Senator Wright moved a motion in the Senate today calling on the Government to cease issuing oil and gas exploration leases in the Great Australian Bight until after final decisions have been made on the establishment of marine sanctuaries. Currently less than 1 per cent of the Bight is protected from oil and gas operations but it is home to many species found nowhere else on earth.