The new environment minister's first major move? Extending Australia's largest gas project to 2070

🇦🇺 A major gas project extension just got the go-ahead 

In the same week Woodside’s CEO criticised young people for their shopping habits, her company confirmed what’s believed to be a chemical spill off the WA coast — and secured federal approval to extend the life of one of the biggest gas projects in Australia. 

The Burrup Hub is now set to operate until 2070, despite warnings from scientists, economists, and Traditional Owners about its climate, financial, and cultural impacts.

🧑‍💼 Are young people hypocrites?

Meg O’Neill, the CEO of gas giant Woodside, took the stage at an energy producers conference in Brisbane this week — and came with a message: young people are hypocrites for opposing fossil fuels while shopping at Shein and Temu.

Yes, that’s the CEO of a fossil fuel company calling out Gen Z over fast fashion. And sure, emissions from fast fashion are a problem — but it’s worth noting that over 90% of global emissions come from fossil fuels, not polyester tank tops.

🌊 While that was happening… a chemical spill

The day before O’Neill made her remarks, reports emerged that Woodside had spilled around 16,000 litres of hydrocarbons into the ocean at the Griffin field off the coast of Western Australia earlier this month.

In a statement Woodside confirmed that though it’s under investigation 64,000 litres of what's believed to be “water, produced water” - which can contain chemicals and metals and extra salt- , “remnant aged hydrocarbon and residual chemicals.”  were released into the ocean while they were cleaning out a flowline. 

The company says the risk to marine life is “very low”, with no anticipated impact to shorelines or sensitive habitats. But for comparison, it’s about the same volume as a full-sized swimming pool.

🔥 Extension approved for one of the world’s largest gas hubs

Despite that, Woodside just got the green light to extend its Burrup Hub gas project, which includes the North West Shelf — a major gas operation running since the 1980s.

Woodside plans to extend the life of the hub to 2070 by developing a new gas field. Environmental groups are calling it a “carbon bomb” — and the data backs that up.

• The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority estimates the extension would generate 80.19 million tonnes of emissions per year until 2070.
  
  

• The Australia Institute says the total emissions from WA gas expansions could hit 15 billion tonnes — equivalent to 33 years of Australia’s current annual emissions.
  

📈 It’s not Australia burning the gas — but it still matters

Most of this gas is for export. But experts argue exported emissions still contribute to climate change, regardless of who’s burning them.

Rod Campbell of the Australia Institute points out that climate inaction drives up insurance premiums, disaster costs, and affects the everyday quality of life for Australians. More people are either unable to afford insurance or denied it altogether.

💸 So why did the government approve it?

Woodside says the extension will deliver $614 million in royalties to the WA government — which may help explain the state support.

Federally, the approval came from new Environment Minister Murray Watt, who took over the portfolio in May. Watt has a record of pushing through tough reforms like, the live sheep export ban, laws cracking down on the corruption in the construction industry — and now, approving one of the country’s biggest fossil fuel extensions.

In a statement, Watt said his approval is “subject to strict conditions”, particularly regarding air emissions. He emphasised it followed “rigorous scientific advice and public consultation.”

🏛️ Albanese’s defence: “Renewables need gas”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that renewables can’t function without backup from gas — a stance he held during the 2025 election campaign.

However, the Australian Financial Review reports that the extension may do little to serve the domestic market — raising questions about who actually benefits.

🖼️ Indigenous heritage under threat

There’s also concern the project is damaging ancient Indigenous rock art in the region, which is under consideration for UNESCO World Heritage listing.

UWA Professor of World Rock Art Benjamin Smith has alleged that the WA government watered down key scientific findings in the executive summary of a report — obscuring the extent of the damage to sacred artworks.

🤔 The bottom line

The federal government has long maintained that gas is part of its energy plan — so this approval isn’t a sudden reversal. But it is a massive extension with long-term environmental consequences, approved in the first weeks of a new Environment Minister’s tenure.

The only question now? Whether Murray Watt stands by this move when it defines his legacy — and whether Australians are willing to pay the climate and cost-of-living price for decades to come.