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Federal Government decision to stall decision on Woodside North West Shelf gas project slammed

Labor has been accused of “cynical political manipulation” and a “gross betrayal” of WA after the $30 billion North West Shelf project was delayed again, this time until after the Federal election. Another paperwork hold-up has been blamed for the delay on a decision to grant Woodside a 50-year extension of the gas hub, after Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s department pushed the deadline back for a second time. The West Australian understands Ms Plibersek is waiting for a brief from her department with the new deadline now May 31. Her office wouldn’t offer further explanation on the decision on Wednesday, when asked why it was delayed. “The Department has advised they require more time,” a spokeswoman said. “All projects follow the process as set out by the law put in place by John Howard’s Government.” But WA Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash questioned the timing of the announcement. “It is an absolute disgrace and act of cynical political manipulation that the Albanese Labor Government has further delayed the decision,” she said. “To quietly push it out until May 31, on Budget day, beggars belief.” “Western Australians deserve to know the future of this vital project before the Federal election.” The project is still awaiting Federal approval despite the State Government giving the extension its green light in mid-December, after a six-year approval process. On Wednesday, the Premier was pushing for the Albanese Government to deliver its verdict as soon as possible but stopped short of criticising the delays. “We look forward to the Federal process concluding promptly after the Federal election,” Roger Cook said. “Gas is crucial to supporting renewables in our clean energy transition, which includes exiting coal ahead of any other Australian State.” WA Nationals Leader Shane Love called the Commonwealth’s latest delay a “gutless betrayal” of WA’s economic future. “This is an unacceptable and deliberate hindrance to development, economic prosperity, and job creation in Western Australia,” he said. WA’s only member in Anthony Albanese’s Cabinet, Resources Minister Madeleine King, defended the stalled process and warned that “pre-judging” a decision could cause greater delays down the line. “There’s a lot of documentation, as you’d expect,” she told ABC Drive. “It’s a very significant project . . . the Government’s well aware of its importance, but we’re also well aware and very cognisant of the importance of proper decision making.” Liberal Senator Dean Smith called it “shameful” that the delay was confirmed “under the cover” of the Federal budget, but Ms King denied it was politically motivated and wasn’t concerned about a voter backlash in WA. “I think Western Australians are sensible people and they appreciate proper process and good decision making,” she said. “I will absolutely defend the application of the department to seek more time because this is important and it shouldn’t be thrown into an election commitment basket.” The original statutory deadline for Federal approval had already been delayed in February, when the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water blamed the hold-up on the late handover of a State Government report on Indigenous rock art. WA Treasurer Rita Saffioti wouldn’t be drawn on the timing of the latest announcement ahead of the fast-approaching Federal election, with polls tipping a minority Government that would force Labor to negotiate with the Greens or teals. “Other people can make that commentary,” she said on Wednesday. “We want a decision as soon as possible to support investment certainty in Western Australia.” Woodside called the second delay “extremely disappointing” while industry groups warned that WA’s reputation was on the line. “Protracted assessment timelines and successive delays to major project decisions are damaging to both Australia’s energy security and our credibility as an investment destination,” Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA chief executive Rebecca Tomkinson said. “Rigorous environmental assessments are important, but so is providing business with certainty and the confidence to invest.” Woodside warned that a “protracted” process was impacting investment decisions. “The further delay in approval of ongoing operations of the North West Shelf beyond 2030 is extremely disappointing,” a spokesman said. “We look forward to certainty for ongoing operations, which can support thousands of direct and indirect jobs, billions of dollars in taxes and royalties and secure gas supply to Western Australia.” Opposition Leader Peter Dutton last week vowed to fast-track a decision within 30 days if he were to become Prime Minister. But traditional owners said the final decision should not be rushed. “The North West Shelf extension is one of the biggest cultural heritage decisions in Australia,” Mardudhunera woman Raelene Cooper said. “Murujuga is such a special place and it is really unbelievable to me that Woodside is allowed to destroy it. Murujuga is my country and it holds my songlines, the rock art is sacred.” Ngarluma woman Samantha Walker urged Ms Plibersek to come to WA to “see the evidence” before making her decision. Woodside and its partners in the North West Shelf want to keep the LNG hub operating until 2070. It will be the likely site to process gas from the huge Browse field, in what would be a $30 billion project. Senator Cash said the decision to delay the project was not down to economic or business sense, but instead political horse-trading. “Mr Albanese has prioritised getting Greens’ preferences at the upcoming election over approving a project vital for WA jobs, our energy supply and our economy,” Ms Cash added. “It is very clear that if Mr Albanese is re-elected, he will not approve this project because he will be in debt to the Australian Greens for their electoral support.” Australian Energy Producers chief executive Samantha McCulloch said there was “no justification” for further delay. “This is another disappointing example of the open-ended and uncertain approval processes that are driving away investment and damaging Australia’s reputation as a stable, predictable country to do business,” she said. Greenpeace accused the mining lobby of attempting to “downplay” the scale of the proposal. “This will worsen climate change, which is already having devastating impacts on WA’s reefs, forests, and communities,” Joe Rafalowicz said. “Rigorous assessment and due process are critical.”

updatedFederal Government decision to stall decision on Woodside North West Shelf gas project slammed

updated
Federal Government decision to stall decision on Woodside North West Shelf gas project slammed