Ichthys LNG Project Strike Threats

planned

Workers at Inpex's Ichthys LNG Project in northern Australia are moving towards industrial action, with potential strikes starting as early as May 3, 2026. The Offshore Alliance, representing 460 offshore and onshore employees, has applied for industrial action ballots following six months of stalled negotiations. The unions seek a new industry standard including annual pay rises of CPI plus 3% and enhanced FIFO benefits. Inpex estimates that if the union claims are granted, labour costs could surge by 50% to 60%, pushing some salaries beyond $500,000. The strike threat comes amid a global gas supply crunch and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with Ichthys providing 8% of LNG imports for Japan and Taiwan.