Senator David Pocock says the second-term Labor government has betrayed future generations of Australians. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
Independent ACT Senator David Pocock has severely criticised the Federal Government, saying it has betrayed future generations of Australians by approving the extension of the North West Shelf gas project.
He accused Anthony Albanese of allowing one of his first acts as a newly re-elected Prime Minister to be one of “abrogating any responsibility” to the health and well-being of generations to come.
Senator Pocock said in approving the extension of what will be the most significant fossil fuel project in Australia’s history, the PM has condemned future Australians to an existence beset by worsened impacts from climate change.
“It is devastating that the first act of a re-elected Albanese Labor government is to approve the biggest fossil fuel project in our history,” Senator Pocock said.
“This decision cements a legacy of climate harm for generations to come due to the major parties’ lack of moral courage on climate.
“Announcing the approval of a fossil fuel project of this scale while people on the Mid North coast are recovering from a once-in-500-year flood, and South Australia is in drought, is hard to understand.
“The North West Shelf expansion will pump out 4.4 billion tonnes of carbon emissions over the life of the project, equivalent to 10 times Australia’s total current domestic emissions.
“It’s time to stop pretending gas is the future. It’s cooking our present, and we’re running out of time to prevent even more catastrophic impacts from climate change than we’re already witnessing.”
Environment Minister Murray Watt approved the extension on Wednesday (28 May) to 2070.
The Woodside Energy project’s extension to its West Australian gas facility has been under assessment for six years awaiting the green light.
The approval is Senator Watt’s first major act as the new Environment Minister.
“Following the consideration of rigorous scientific and other advice including submissions from a wide cross-section of the community, I have today made a proposed decision to approve this development, subject to strict conditions, particularly relating to the impact of air emissions levels from the operation of an expanded on-shore Karratha gas plant,” Senator Watt said in a statement.
The move was welcomed by the Coalition and fiercely opposed by the Greens.
Senator Pocock stands with the Greens in condemning the government’s decision.
“Labor was elected in 2022 on a promise of stronger climate action and reforming our broken environmental laws, and re-elected while committing to finally deliver this change,” he said.
“Approving this project before meeting that commitment is a betrayal of their promise to the Australian people.”
Unions backed the government decision, saying it prioritises the future and security of jobs.
Paul Farrow, national secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union, described it as a victory for common sense.
“Minister Watt’s announcement correctly prioritises and secures the future of well-paid union jobs in WA and secures the supply of a crucial transition fuel we need as more renewable energy sources like wind and solar come online,” he said.
“Today’s decision to maintain a stable, operational project employing well over a thousand hydrocarbon workers in well-paid jobs is a victory for common sense and allows our members to continue their important work for years to come.”
Greenpeace said the approval was environmentally irresponsible.
“This is a terrible decision that brings Woodside’s destructive gas drills one step closer to Scott Reef, a magnificent marine ecosystem that is home to threatened species like pygmy blue whales and green sea turtles,” Greenpeace Australia CEO David Ritter said.
“The North West Shelf facility is one of Australia’s dirtiest and most polluting fossil fuel projects.
“This approval brings Woodside’s toxic gas plans closer to Scott Reef, holds back the clean energy transition underway in WA, and fuels growing climate damage in Australia and around the world.”
Earlier in the week, Pacific Island leaders banded together to call on Mr Albanese to reject the extension of the gas project in order to be “worthy” of co-hosting the COP31 climate change conference in the region.
“Pacific leaders have made it clear: there is no future for our nations if fossil fuel expansion continues,” Tuvalu’s Climate Change and Environment Minister Maina Talia said.
“The North West Shelf extension would lock in emissions until 2070, threatening our survival and violating the spirit of the Pacific-Australia climate partnership.
“If Australia wants to host COP31 with us, it must uphold the trust we placed in it by permanently rejecting this project.
“This goes beyond politics. It is about the moral clarity to stand with those most affected by climate change.”
