PM and WA Premier defend extension to Woodside gas | Australian Markets
Anthony Albanese has defended his Government’s call to prolong Woodside’s North West Shelf gas project to 2070, saying gas is crucial because the nation shifts to renewables.
Environment Minister Murray Watt gave the project a provisional inexperienced gentle on Wednesday, subject to strict situations round cultural heritage management and air high quality, after the choice was twice delayed by his predecessor Tanya Plibersek.
Woodside now has 10 days to reply to the proposed determination, which was welcomed by industry however opposed by environmental and cultural heritage teams.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the considerations, however stated all acceptable processes have been adopted and harassed that Australia needed gas to back its transfer to renewables.
“Murray Watt as the Federal Minister had to look at some of the issues which are there,” Mr Albanese advised ABC radio on Thursday.
“He has made a preliminary determination out there for comment that is based upon very strict conditions … being provided.
“In order to get that investment in renewables you do need firming capacity, whether it be batteries, hydro or gas, and that is what will encourage that investment and the transition to occur.”
Woodside’s chief government, Meg O’Neill, stated the strict situations the company was reviewing included necessities round defending Indigenous rock artwork and air high quality.
The WA Government accepted the extension in December 2024, after six years of evaluation which included consideration and session on environmental and cultural heritage.
On Thursday, Premier Roger Cook was additionally pressed in regards to the potential environmental and cultural penalties of the project’s growth.
He insisted the Albanese Government hadn’t “crossed the Rubicon” on utilizing gas completely sooner or later.
“I’ve always found that the Prime Minister has been very open and co-operative and collaborative with the WA Government,” Mr Cook stated.
“This is not a moment of, you know, crossing the Rubicon or anything like that.
“I think the Commonwealth understands that gas will, for the foreseeable future, play an important role in our economy.”
Mr Cook stated his Government was “very pleased” with the result, including it “saves literally thousands of jobs” in WA and investment into the national financial system.
The Premier stated Senator Watt had texted him to alert him to the announcement, however that he hasn’t been privy to the conditional necessities positioned on the extension.
“We’ve certainly been advocating on behalf of great job-creating resource projects … which are the centrepiece of our economy and the engine room of the nation’s economy,” Mr Cook stated.
“I’ll always do what’s right for WA. I’ll stand up for Western Australian industry. I’ll stand up for Western Australian jobs.
“If we had some influence in terms of that process … Well, that’s part of my KPI. So, job done.”
Woodside can reply sooner than the ten day period to Senator Watt’s endorsement or ask for an extension.
However, Ms O’Neill stated this week she would really like the situations labored although as early as potential.
Their fundamental consideration is known to be across the technical feasibility and implementation of the situations.
During the period, Woodside is allowed to present additional proof for ministerial consideration to assist any change to the situations.
Beyond the company stating that situations relate to rock artwork and air emissions, the situations haven’t been detailed publicly.
They’re anticipated to be publicly printed by the division however solely after the method is full.
Among a string of teams and commentators to welcome the extension was former Labor frontbencher Joel Fitzgibbon.
“This is a big decision but a positive sign for the industry going forward,” he advised Sky News.
“I think pragmatism is shining through. Murray Watt, the new Environment Minister, is also a Queenslander, and he too understands the sector, and that’s really important.”
Minerals Council of Australia’s boss Tania Constable has referred to as for more “timely and balanced approvals” for nationally vital tasks after delays within the North West Shelf growth.
She stated the approval on Wednesday was “a long-anticipated” after six years of evaluation.
“With demand for energy-intensive industrial activity expected to grow, particularly across mining and minerals processing, Australia must ensure its approvals framework supports energy security for both domestic use and regional partners,” she stated.
“This approval sends a message that our regulatory system can deliver the certainty needed to develop the large-scale projects that underpin our economic prosperity and energy security.”
Curtin independant Kate Chaney referred to as for Labor to act on its dedication to overhaul Australia’s 1999 environmental legal guidelines within the wake of Senator Watt’s call.
“Environment and business groups agree the EPBC Act is no longer for purpose,” she stated in a assertion.
“The Albanese Government promised to fix the Act but has yet to legislate.
“Of course we need a smooth transition and gas has a role in that, but approving a long-term carbon bomb like this, with no climate test and no emissions limit, makes no sense.”
She referred to as for the minister to as a substitute concern a shorter period.
Ms Chaney has issued a warning that the “strict conditions” within the proposed determination need to be “exceptionally strong”.
Fellow Teal unbiased Allegra Spender acknowledged the significance of persevering with the project for the time being however referred to as for the Government to “supercharge” efforts to transfer to renewables.
“I’m not one of those people saying, ‘Oh, stop gas production now’. We can’t. We absolutely need gas, but we also need to move to alternatives,” she stated.
“We do need to make sure that this transition is affordable and absolutely reliable.
“We do need domestic gas. I absolutely accept that. But we also should be trying to move out of gas and be building up renewables fast enough.
“It’s finding that right balance. It’s a difficult balance to strike.”
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