Woodside Energy’s ambitious plan to extend its North West Shelf gas plant until 2070 could receive federal approval within 30 days of a Peter Dutton-led Coalition victory, as the party aims to limit the influence of protest groups on environmental approvals.
Dutton is set to announce a proposal for “fast-tracking” the Western Australia (WA) project in Perth on Wednesday, which would also facilitate a $30 billion joint venture involving Woodside, BP, and Japanese company Mitsui for the Browse gas fields.
Recently, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek postponed a federal deadline until the end of March regarding the project’s approval. This delay effectively pushes her decision beyond this month’s WA state election, which Labor won decisively. The WA government had previously approved Woodside’s plan in December, after six years of protests and appeals from climate groups opposing new fossil fuel developments.
In a Dutton-led government, the North West Shelf project would be declared in the “national interest” under federal environmental law, a move the Coalition believes highlights Labor’s indecision. Dutton plans to emphasize the project’s significance for the WA economy and the importance of reliable gas supplies in reducing energy prices.
“It is of national importance that this project not be held up any longer by a government whose leaders prioritize gaining Green votes in urban electorates over approving essential economic projects for our energy security,” Mr. Dutton is expected to say.
As the May election approaches, the Albanese government has until March 31 to decide whether to permit Woodside to operate its Burrup Peninsula plant for an additional 50 years and develop three new gas fields connected by a 900-kilometer pipeline.
Additionally, the Coalition pledges to legislate a “statute of limitations” on activist groups seeking to challenge earlier federal approvals under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
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