Opposition leader Peter Dutton recently announced that a Coalition government would assess Woodside’s North West Shelf extension proposal within 30 days if elected. He accused current Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, of delaying federal approval to attract Green voters in Melbourne and Sydney. The project, which would extend the life of the gas project until 2070, was approved by the state government after six years of review, but Plibersek postponed her final decision until the end of March. Dutton criticized the Labor government for allegedly abandoning WA and hindering economic growth, stating that they were prioritizing green votes over job creation and mining opportunities in the state.
Premier Roger Cook’s approval of the project was seen by Dutton as a sign that it should proceed, with Dutton expressing his desire to see a mining boom in WA. He accused the Labor government, led by Anthony Albanese, Tanya Plibersek, and Chris Bowen, of implementing roadblocks to prevent projects from moving forward in WA. Dutton claimed that the Labor government’s actions were detrimental to the state’s economy and job market, suggesting that they were more interested in winning votes in inner-city Sydney and Melbourne rather than supporting mining initiatives in WA. He emphasized that WA residents should not be deceived by a Prime Minister who was not as supportive of the mining industry as McGowan or Cook.
In response to Dutton’s statements, Anthony Albanese held a press conference in Brisbane where he defended the federal government’s handling of the project approval process. Albanese stated that the decision had only been with the federal government for a few weeks and was still going through the approval process. He emphasized that all necessary considerations and assessments would be carried out before a final decision was made regarding the Woodside project. Albanese’s remarks suggested that the federal government was taking a thorough and responsible approach to evaluating the proposal, rather than delaying it for political reasons as alleged by Dutton.
The debate surrounding the Woodside North West Shelf extension proposal highlighted the tensions between federal and state governments over major development projects and environmental considerations. Dutton’s criticism of Plibersek and the Labor government’s alleged prioritization of inner-city green votes over job creation and economic growth in WA underscored the political divide on environmental and economic issues. The Labor government’s decision to postpone the final approval decision was portrayed by Dutton as detrimental to mining opportunities and job prospects in the state, while Albanese defended the federal government’s approach as part of a standard approval process that prioritizes thorough assessment and consideration of all factors.
As the election approached, the issue of the Woodside project approval became a focal point for political debate, with both major parties positioning themselves on opposite ends of the spectrum. Dutton’s promise to fast-track the assessment process if the Coalition were elected appealed to voters concerned about job creation and economic growth, while Albanese’s reassurance of a thorough approval process reassured those worried about environmental impacts and sustainability. The outcome of the Woodside project approval process would likely have significant implications for the future of mining and environmental policy in WA and could influence voter perceptions of the major political parties’ priorities in the lead-up to the election.
