Why did the Fair Work Commission reject Inpex's (TYO:1605) application to stop the strike?

The Australian industrial tribunal ruled that there was insufficient evidence that the strike posed widespread harm to the national economy.

How long will the strike at the Inpex Ichthys LNG project continue?

Following the tribunal's ruling, the industrial action by roughly 400 oil and gas workers is cleared to run until June 23. This extension locks in a strict ban on the loading of all cargoes at the multi-billion-dollar facility for the duration of the strike.

What are the main issues driving the Offshore Alliance union strike against Inpex?

The high-stakes dispute is centered on critical worker demands regarding pay, allowances, and job protection. The Offshore Alliance union is using the strike and subsequent cargo loading bans to pressure Inpex management into improving these contract terms.

How significant is the Ichthys LNG project to global and regional energy markets?

The Ichthys project is a major infrastructure asset, accounting for approximately 10% of Australia's total LNG export capacity. Because it primarily serves buyers across north-east Asia, prolonged export halts threaten to temporarily tighten global energy supplies and pressure regional spot prices.

What is the immediate operational and volume impact of the strike on Inpex?

Industry analysts estimate that at least four major LNG shipments will miss their scheduled loadings due to the nine-day cargo ban. A complete production shutdown is also possible if the stoppages temporarily interrupt operations for up to a week as anticipated by the tribunal.

What was Inpex's core argument regarding the "national interest" provision?

Inpex filed its urgent petition on June 10 arguing that the industrial stoppages posed an imminent threat to the Australian economy. The company claimed the strike risked forcing a total production shutdown within days, which could trigger local power blackouts if left unchecked.

Image for illustrative purposes only. Not a real photo.

Tribunal rejects Inpex bid to halt strike

Written by Heidi Cuthbert Published Jun 14, 2026, 9:59 PM

Australia's industrial umpire, the Fair Work Commission, has rejected an urgent application by Japanese energy giant Inpex to halt an ongoing strike by roughly 400 oil and gas workers at its Ichthys Liquefied Natural Gas Project.

The decision clears the way for industrial action to continue until June 23, enforcing a strict ban on the loading of all cargoes at the multi-billion-dollar facility.

Inpex had escalated the matter on June 10, petitioning the tribunal under national interest provisions.

The company argued that the stoppages posed an imminent threat to the Australian economy and risked triggering local power blackouts by forcing a complete production shutdown within days.

However, following an intensive weekend hearing, Fair Work Commission Deputy President Michael Easton ruled that there was insufficient evidence of widespread economic harm.

While acknowledging that production could be temporarily interrupted for up to a week, Easton deemed the impact manageable and noted that local utilities had already organised contingency measures.

The high-stakes dispute, driven by the Offshore Alliance union over critical issues surrounding pay, allowances, and job protection, threatens to temporarily tighten global energy supplies.

The Ichthys Project accounts for approximately 10% of Australia's total LNG export capacity, primarily serving buyers across north-east Asia.

With cargo bans now locked in for the next nine days, industry analysts estimate at least four major shipments will miss their scheduled loadings.

Inpex is expected to return to the bargaining table on June 15 with an updated contract offer in an attempt to break the deadlock.