More than 20 Australian artists unite to rework King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard’s ‘If Not Now’ in support of protecting Western Australia’s Scott Reef.
by Paul Cashmere
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard and Jimmy Barnes have brought together more than 20 Australian artists for a new version of King Gizzard’s Environmental Music Prize-winning song ‘If Not Now’, released today as an anthem for the campaign to protect Western Australia’s Scott Reef.
Credited to Scott Reef, the reworked track is a collaboration between Greenpeace Australia Pacific, Green Music Australia and p(doom) Records. It is available digitally and on limited-edition 7-inch vinyl, with artwork and visuals created by ARIA Award-winning director and artist Jonathan Zawada.
The project brings together musicians from different generations and backgrounds to raise awareness of the proposed industrial development of Scott Reef, a marine environment off the Kimberley coast that faces potential damage from Woodside’s Browse gas project.
Located approximately 270 kilometres off the Kimberley coast, Scott Reef is a 15-million-year-old coral system supporting thousands of marine species, including endangered animals. It remains one of Australia’s least disturbed reef environments.
Woodside has proposed drilling up to 57 wells beneath and around the reef as part of its plans to develop the Browse gas resource. The proposal has become a major focus for environmental campaigners, who argue that industrial activity threatens a significant marine ecosystem.
The new recording retains the microtonal groove, clavinet and falsetto vocals of the original King Gizzard composition while expanding it into a collaborative performance featuring more than 20 contributors.
Three generations of the Barnes family feature on the recording, with Jimmy Barnes joined by his daughter Mahalia Barnes and granddaughter Ruby Rodgers. Ruby was named the 2026 Environmental Music Prize winner.
The recording also brings Indigenous language and cultural perspectives into the project. Butchulla songman Fred Leone, Artist of the Year at the 2026 National Indigenous Music Awards, performs in Butchulla, while Terry Guyula of Arnhem Land group Drifting Clouds translates the chorus into Yolŋu Matha.
Western Australian contributors include Peppa Lane of Spacey Jane, Djugun and Jabirr-Jabirr singer-songwriter NIDALA, teenage trio Birdland and John Butler, a long-time campaigner for environmental protection.
Other artists involved include Gordi, Montaigne, Alex Lahey, Leah Senior, Ngaiire, Close Counters, DOBBY, Urthboy and Tom Mahler of The Moving Stills.
Marine biologist and freediver Brinkley Davies also contributes, with spoken material sampled from the documentary Coral’s Last Stand. The recording was produced by Tim Shiel and Stu Mackenzie of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard.
Stu Mackenzie said the project offered an opportunity to use the band’s music to support a growing campaign against the proposed development.
“Why are we still digging up coal and gas? Why are we allowing this? Why is the Australian government so hell bent on destroying our beautiful wild and untouched places? I’m proud that a King Gizz song was chosen to represent a growing movement of people who are asking these questions and applying pressure. Let’s shut it down and keep it beautiful,” Mackenzie said.
Jimmy Barnes said protecting Scott Reef should be a national priority.
“Scott Reef is one of the few pristine reefs left in the world and it happens to be on our doorstep. We’re custodians of it – we’re supposed to be looking after it. It’s ridiculous. We must protect our country and look after what we value most, which is the nature and the beauty of this country,” Barnes said.
Hannah Schuch, Senior Campaigner at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said the involvement of Australian musicians would help amplify the campaign’s public support.
“I’m filled with hope by the incredible musicians and artists who are using their voices and skills to amplify the voices of half a million Australians who are calling on the government to stop Woodside’s nature and climate-wrecking gas plans and save Scott Reef. Australian music has long been a powerful catalyst for change, so saving Scott Reef is a no brainer for Australian music lovers,” Schuch said.
The Federal Government is expected to make a decision on Woodside’s Scott Reef proposal in the coming months. The artists involved are among those calling on Environment Minister Murray Watt to reject the development plans.
The release gives the campaign a high-profile musical platform, bringing together established Australian performers, emerging artists and Indigenous musicians around the question of how the country’s remaining marine environments should be protected.
‘If Not Now’ features Alex Lahey, Birdland, Brinkley Davies, Close Counters, DOBBY, Drifting Clouds, Fred Leone, Gordi, Jimmy Barnes, John Butler, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Leah Senior, Mahalia Barnes, Montaigne, Ngaiire, NIDALA, Peppa Lane, Ruby Rodgers, The Moving Stills, Tim Shiel and Urthboy.
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