Green and Teal MPs have criticized Peter Dutton's recent promise to fast-track approval for Woodside's North West Shelf gas project within a month if he comes to power, comparing his approach to tactics used by Donald Trump. Sarah Hanson-Young, representing the Greens on environmental issues, expressed concern over Dutton's stance, describing it as an attack on those who safeguard nature.
She emphasized the importance of environmental health for everyone and argued that Dutton's proposal to limit community access to legal recourse poses a threat to both democracy and the planet's well-being. Hanson-Young further accused Dutton of serving the interests of fossil fuel companies, asserting that the project does not benefit the nation.
According to her, the expansion of Woodside's operations would cause significant environmental harm, and she urged environment minister Tanya Plibersek to reject the proposal before the federal election. The project, she warned, could result in billions of tonnes of carbon emissions until 2070, endangering cultural sites at Murujuga and fragile ecosystems such as Scott Reef, which is home to 33 endangered species including the green sea turtle and the pygmy blue whale. Additionally, increased shipping and drilling activities could disrupt whale migration routes.