‘His peers don't like him either': Ex-minister lashes Andrew Forrest
Former federal resources minister Ian Macfarlane has launched an extraordinary attack on billionaire Andrew Forrest, saying his peers do not like him and that one senior mining executive once described him as 'a f---ing fake'.
Macfarlane's comments at The Australian Financial Review Mining Summit have sparked a public row between the Woodside board member and Forrest, who on Thursday said Macfarlane had 'lost his marbles'.
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The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Indigenous, climate advocates put heat on Woodside
A bid to compel the government to consider a heritage application to protect Indigenous rock art is going to court as three environmental activists declare they "successfully hoaxed" Woodside. The preliminary hearing follows Environment Minister Murray Watt's interim approval of Woodside's North West Shelf extension until 2070, a controversial gas project in Western Australia. The call has flared tensions, with environmental and Indigenous groups arguing it will slow efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and have a ruinous effect on nearby ancient petroglyphs. Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper said she was thrilled the case against the newly appointed environment minister was moving forward without further delays. "It's rude to have someone waiting for such a long time," the Save our Songlines co-founder said outside the Federal Court in Sydney. The court determined Ms Cooper's case would be heard in the week of July 14. Senator Watt attached heritage and air quality conditions to the approval and those are yet to be formally agreed to by the Australian energy giant. Ms Cooper said the North West Shelf and other industrial developments at Woodside's Burrup Hub posed risks to the rock art - concerns and evidence laid out in full in a cultural heritage assessment the minister is yet to consider. The Burrup Peninsula, in WA's Pilbara region and known as Murujuga to traditional owners, contains some of the world's largest and oldest collection of petroglyphs. The "section 10" heritage application was originally lodged in early 2022. "I am furious that the minister would make a decision to lock in ongoing and irreversible damage to my country before addressing my application," Ms Cooper said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the conditions attached to the pending approval of the North West Shelf extension would address concerns about the rock art. "The local Aboriginal corporation there, I've met with them in the past, they're very supportive of industry," he told ABC radio on Friday. "They want to make sure there's protection, but they support those jobs and that economic activity." In a separate case, three protesters were fined $10,000 each after targeting a Woodside annual general meeting with stench gas and flares. Disrupt Burrup Hub's Gerard Mazza, Jesse Noakes and Tahlia Stolarski pleaded guilty to charges laid over their protest at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in April 2023. "Today we were fined for attempting to create false belief — in other words, we pranked Woodside," Ms Stolarski told supporters outside Perth District Court after the verdict. "We are guilty of pulling off a highly successful hoax. "One day, perhaps Woodside and the WA government will be pulled before a court like this one (and) be charged with much more serious crimes, and their victims will be future generations and all life on earth." A bid to compel the government to consider a heritage application to protect Indigenous rock art is going to court as three environmental activists declare they "successfully hoaxed" Woodside. The preliminary hearing follows Environment Minister Murray Watt's interim approval of Woodside's North West Shelf extension until 2070, a controversial gas project in Western Australia. The call has flared tensions, with environmental and Indigenous groups arguing it will slow efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and have a ruinous effect on nearby ancient petroglyphs. Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper said she was thrilled the case against the newly appointed environment minister was moving forward without further delays. "It's rude to have someone waiting for such a long time," the Save our Songlines co-founder said outside the Federal Court in Sydney. The court determined Ms Cooper's case would be heard in the week of July 14. Senator Watt attached heritage and air quality conditions to the approval and those are yet to be formally agreed to by the Australian energy giant. Ms Cooper said the North West Shelf and other industrial developments at Woodside's Burrup Hub posed risks to the rock art - concerns and evidence laid out in full in a cultural heritage assessment the minister is yet to consider. The Burrup Peninsula, in WA's Pilbara region and known as Murujuga to traditional owners, contains some of the world's largest and oldest collection of petroglyphs. The "section 10" heritage application was originally lodged in early 2022. "I am furious that the minister would make a decision to lock in ongoing and irreversible damage to my country before addressing my application," Ms Cooper said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the conditions attached to the pending approval of the North West Shelf extension would address concerns about the rock art. "The local Aboriginal corporation there, I've met with them in the past, they're very supportive of industry," he told ABC radio on Friday. "They want to make sure there's protection, but they support those jobs and that economic activity." In a separate case, three protesters were fined $10,000 each after targeting a Woodside annual general meeting with stench gas and flares. Disrupt Burrup Hub's Gerard Mazza, Jesse Noakes and Tahlia Stolarski pleaded guilty to charges laid over their protest at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in April 2023. "Today we were fined for attempting to create false belief — in other words, we pranked Woodside," Ms Stolarski told supporters outside Perth District Court after the verdict. "We are guilty of pulling off a highly successful hoax. "One day, perhaps Woodside and the WA government will be pulled before a court like this one (and) be charged with much more serious crimes, and their victims will be future generations and all life on earth." A bid to compel the government to consider a heritage application to protect Indigenous rock art is going to court as three environmental activists declare they "successfully hoaxed" Woodside. The preliminary hearing follows Environment Minister Murray Watt's interim approval of Woodside's North West Shelf extension until 2070, a controversial gas project in Western Australia. The call has flared tensions, with environmental and Indigenous groups arguing it will slow efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and have a ruinous effect on nearby ancient petroglyphs. Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper said she was thrilled the case against the newly appointed environment minister was moving forward without further delays. "It's rude to have someone waiting for such a long time," the Save our Songlines co-founder said outside the Federal Court in Sydney. The court determined Ms Cooper's case would be heard in the week of July 14. Senator Watt attached heritage and air quality conditions to the approval and those are yet to be formally agreed to by the Australian energy giant. Ms Cooper said the North West Shelf and other industrial developments at Woodside's Burrup Hub posed risks to the rock art - concerns and evidence laid out in full in a cultural heritage assessment the minister is yet to consider. The Burrup Peninsula, in WA's Pilbara region and known as Murujuga to traditional owners, contains some of the world's largest and oldest collection of petroglyphs. The "section 10" heritage application was originally lodged in early 2022. "I am furious that the minister would make a decision to lock in ongoing and irreversible damage to my country before addressing my application," Ms Cooper said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the conditions attached to the pending approval of the North West Shelf extension would address concerns about the rock art. "The local Aboriginal corporation there, I've met with them in the past, they're very supportive of industry," he told ABC radio on Friday. "They want to make sure there's protection, but they support those jobs and that economic activity." In a separate case, three protesters were fined $10,000 each after targeting a Woodside annual general meeting with stench gas and flares. Disrupt Burrup Hub's Gerard Mazza, Jesse Noakes and Tahlia Stolarski pleaded guilty to charges laid over their protest at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in April 2023. "Today we were fined for attempting to create false belief — in other words, we pranked Woodside," Ms Stolarski told supporters outside Perth District Court after the verdict. "We are guilty of pulling off a highly successful hoax. "One day, perhaps Woodside and the WA government will be pulled before a court like this one (and) be charged with much more serious crimes, and their victims will be future generations and all life on earth." A bid to compel the government to consider a heritage application to protect Indigenous rock art is going to court as three environmental activists declare they "successfully hoaxed" Woodside. The preliminary hearing follows Environment Minister Murray Watt's interim approval of Woodside's North West Shelf extension until 2070, a controversial gas project in Western Australia. The call has flared tensions, with environmental and Indigenous groups arguing it will slow efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and have a ruinous effect on nearby ancient petroglyphs. Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper said she was thrilled the case against the newly appointed environment minister was moving forward without further delays. "It's rude to have someone waiting for such a long time," the Save our Songlines co-founder said outside the Federal Court in Sydney. The court determined Ms Cooper's case would be heard in the week of July 14. Senator Watt attached heritage and air quality conditions to the approval and those are yet to be formally agreed to by the Australian energy giant. Ms Cooper said the North West Shelf and other industrial developments at Woodside's Burrup Hub posed risks to the rock art - concerns and evidence laid out in full in a cultural heritage assessment the minister is yet to consider. The Burrup Peninsula, in WA's Pilbara region and known as Murujuga to traditional owners, contains some of the world's largest and oldest collection of petroglyphs. The "section 10" heritage application was originally lodged in early 2022. "I am furious that the minister would make a decision to lock in ongoing and irreversible damage to my country before addressing my application," Ms Cooper said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the conditions attached to the pending approval of the North West Shelf extension would address concerns about the rock art. "The local Aboriginal corporation there, I've met with them in the past, they're very supportive of industry," he told ABC radio on Friday. "They want to make sure there's protection, but they support those jobs and that economic activity." In a separate case, three protesters were fined $10,000 each after targeting a Woodside annual general meeting with stench gas and flares. Disrupt Burrup Hub's Gerard Mazza, Jesse Noakes and Tahlia Stolarski pleaded guilty to charges laid over their protest at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in April 2023. "Today we were fined for attempting to create false belief — in other words, we pranked Woodside," Ms Stolarski told supporters outside Perth District Court after the verdict. "We are guilty of pulling off a highly successful hoax. "One day, perhaps Woodside and the WA government will be pulled before a court like this one (and) be charged with much more serious crimes, and their victims will be future generations and all life on earth."
West Australian
a day ago
- West Australian
Anthony Albanese says gas still needed for WA's energy transition as North West Shelf awaits final call
Anthony Albanese has defended Murray Watt's greenlight call to extend the North West Shelf ahead of Woodside's anticipated response to strict conditions linked to the decision. In the Environment Minister's provisional approval for the gas project to continue until 2070, he gave Woodside a 10-day period to consider the conditions around Aboriginal rock art and air quality. Speaking on breakfast radio on Friday, the Prime Minister reiterated it was only an 'interim decision' and 'not a final decision' until the gas giant agreed to the terms. He said Senator Watt responded to the proposal last Wednesday in line with Australia's current environmental Act. 'The minister had to respond under the Act. Under the law, what he has done is make an interim decision that the company now gets a chance the participants get a chance to respond to. So, it's not final,' he told ABC radio. 'There are a range of conditions to be imposed, conditions to make sure that the two issues that are dealt with there, particularly the rock art.' While Woodside boss Meg O'Neil said she'd like a quick resolution after a lengthy six year-assessment process, the gas giant has to wait until after the mandatory minimum period. It means the public may only learn of Woodside's response to the decision after a 10 business day period due to expire on Thursday next week, taking into account public holidays. Senator Watt's decision has copped criticism from environmental and cultural heritage groups , who are concerned about the ongoing impacts. Green groups have launched an open letter to the PM to also open a new 10 day consultation period, but for the public and any advocate groups to also comment on the linked conditions. Among environmental groups to sign the letter, is former WA Labor premier's Dr Carmen Lawrence and Peter Dowding, as well as well-respected Professor Fiona Stanley. 'Eighty groups have signed a letter calling on Minister Watt to release the conditions of his decision and hold a public consultation period,' Conservation Council of WA executive director Matt Roberts said. But the PM backed gas as a transitional tool to reach Labor's renewables future for Australia, saying the North West Shelf would have to abide by emission safeguard mechanisms introduced in their first term. 'The facility has to have, with the safeguard mechanism, a reduction of a percentage each and every year as it goes forward,' he said. 'If you have a look at WA… The last coal fired power station is closing at Collie in 2027 in Western Australia. 'They are moving to 100 per cent renewables but in order to do that, they need the firming capacity of gas. They don't have hydro in WA. They need the firming capacity of gas in order to move there.' Mr Albanese added that any decision made, had to be done so under 1999 environmental laws after Coalition opposed amendments Labor tried to push through Parliament last term. 'The Environment Minister had to deal with the North West shelf project under the existing EPBC Act that we did try to change,' he said. 'It was before the parliament for almost two years. 'We do want a national change, reform of the environment Act, including with a National Environmental Protection Agency.' Woodside and Senator Watt have been contacted for comment.
West Australian
a day ago
- West Australian
Mining and energy up as ASX shrugs off Wall Street slip
The Australian share market has edged higher, shrugging off a negative Wall Street session fuelled by a spat between two of the world's most powerful men. By midday the S&P/ASX was up 9.6 points, or 0.11 per cent, to 8,548.5, as the broader All Ordinaries rose 5.6 points, or 0.06 per cent, to 8,774.2. The steady start defied a Wall Street sell-off following US President Donald Trump's threat to axe government contracts with Elon Musk's companies, sending Tesla shares plummeting 14.3 per cent and weighing on the Nasdaq. The warning came after Mr Musk lambasted the Trump Administration's key spending and tax cut bill as a "disgusting abomination", and in subsequent tweets accused Trump of being named in sealed government files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. "While the tabloid drama surrounding the end of 'Elonald' may capture public attention for some time yet, the broader market implications are likely to be fleeting - although Tesla, as a company, could be in further strife if certain subsidies and other support measures are entirely terminated," market analyst Kyle Rodda said. "The grown-ups in the markets will turn their attention to the non-farm payrolls release tonight as they look to assess the damage to the US economy from trade policy uncertainty." More relevant to local markets was a potential resumption of US-China trade negotiations, after a phone call between the two countries' presidents. Crude prices, energy stocks and iron ore miners have made gains as investors tempered their worst-case expectations for China's demand for commodities. Energy stocks rose 0.6 per cent, leading six of 11 local sectors higher, tracking with a similar uptick in crude oil prices. Brent crude futures are trading just above $US55 a barrel, helping Woodside lift 1.1 per cent. The uptick in expectations also helped large-cap miners, with Fortescue up 1.2 per cent and BHP gaining 1.1 per cent after recent weakness. The financial sector was relatively flat, grinding less than 0.1 per cent lower as profit-taking continued while the sector consolidates around record highs. The Commonwealth Bank is down 0.6 per cent to $180.33 after tagging a new record high of $182 per share on Thursday. IT stocks slipped 0.4 per cent, tracking with the overnight slide on the tech-heavy Nasdaq in the wake of the Tesla sell-off. Gold is slightly lower as trade hopes pushed investors away from the safe haven, with futures slipping to $US3,385 ($A5,200) an ounce. Meanwhile, cryptocurrency Bitcoin dropped sharply overnight by almost four per cent to find support at the $US101,000 level ($A155,241). The chief cryptocurrency has dropped nine per cent in value after hitting an all-time peak of $US111,970 in May, but is up 20 per cent in 2025. The Australian dollar is buying 65.03 US cents, up slightly from 64.96 US cents on Thursday at 5pm.
