WOODSIDE’S GAS GOLIATH GIVEN GREEN LIGHT: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BACKS NORTH WEST SHELF UNTIL 2070

BY ASAD KHAN

The Albanese Government has officially cleared the way for Australia’s biggest fossil fuel project to keep pumping gas until 2070. This hands Woodside Energy federal approval to extend the North West Shelf project for another 45 years.

In a move condemned by Traditional Owners and climate advocates, Environment Minister Murray Watt signed off on the extension late yesterday, despite growing national and international scrutiny over the project’s emissions footprint and its impact on sacred rock art sites.

Mr Watt stated that his approval was limited to assessing “localised” environmental factors under current federal laws, including air quality and direct harm to Murujuga rock art, but not the broader climate consequences.

He said that under existing federal environmental law, climate impacts aren't a legal consideration.

This distinction has enraged critics, who say the government is skirting its responsibilities on climate while allowing major polluters to push ahead. The state government had already ticked off on the extension in December.

The final hurdle was always Canberra and after months of delays and public silence, the minister’s verdict has landed.

The North West Shelf, operated by Woodside, is Australia’s oldest liquefied natural gas (LNG) export project. Its extension means it will now operate well beyond most countries’ climate targets — locking in decades more emissions from one of the world’s highest per-capita polluters.

Raelene Cooper, Marduthunera woman, former Chair of the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation and long-time opponent of the project, issued a sharp response just minutes after the announcement:

"See you in court," she said.
"I'm not on my own. I'm bringing warriors from this ngurra with me."

Her legal team previously won a high-profile Federal Court case to stop rock art destruction tied to nearby industrial expansion. Now, she’s preparing to fight the North West Shelf extension in court — again.

Environmental groups say the approval flies in the face of the government’s climate commitments, and exposes a gaping hole in federal environmental law that excludes climate as a factor in project assessments.

Meanwhile, Woodside has been given 10 days to respond to conditions attached to the project. Final sign-off is expected shortly after.

Critics now say the clock is ticking not just on the approval but on Australia’s credibility in the global climate fight.