Dutton proposes 30-day approval for WA gas project

Peter Dutton, the opposition leader in Australia, has promised to expedite the approval process for Woodside's North West Shelf gas project if he wins the upcoming election. He aims to complete the approval within 30 days and plans to limit appeals from protest groups against such decisions. Woodside wants to extend its gas plant in Western Australia until 2070. The project, if approved, would also lead to a $30 billion joint venture involving Woodside, BP, and Mitsui from Japan. Recently, the Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, pushed back the deadline for a decision on the project to the end of March. The project recently received a 50-year extension from the WA government after years of delays due to protests from environmental groups. Dutton’s plan is to declare the project in the "national interest," which he argues is crucial for the WA economy and for ensuring reliable gas supplies to lower energy costs. The Labor government, led by Anthony Albanese, has not yet made a decision on this major project. They have until March 31 to announce their plans. The Coalition also plans to propose a "statute of limitations" to limit public appeals against government approvals, arguing that current laws allow too many challenges from unrelated parties. Dutton's team believes that environmental activists have gained too much power under the current government. They aim to enhance the evaluation process for projects by emphasizing economic and social benefits in environmental decisions. Opponents, including some environmental groups, warn that the North West Shelf project could lead to significant carbon emissions and threaten fragile ecosystems and Indigenous heritage sites. The Coalition defends its approach, saying it will help attract investment and ensure the area's economic growth.