logo
WA news LIVE: Woodside's controversial North West Shelf proposal faces new hurdle

WA news LIVE: Woodside's controversial North West Shelf proposal faces new hurdle

The Age22-05-2025
Latest posts
Latest posts
9.30am
Woodside's controversial North West Shelf proposal faces new hurdle
By Hamish Hastie
Woodside's North West Shelf proposal faces another hurdle with a Burrup Hub traditional owner launching a fresh legal challenge over the impact to the Murujuga rock art gallery.
Loading
Lawyers for Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper launched challenge in Federal Court in Sydney this week in an attempt to compel new Environment Minister Murray Watt to make a determination on a legal request she made in 2022 under Aboriginal heritage laws to protect the Murujuga rock art.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act section 10 application was initially made to former Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek but now rests with Watt.
Cooper's request gives Watt the power to enforce protections of areas with significant Aboriginal cultural heritage but the federal Labor government had not acted on it.
Cooper said she wanted Watt to act on her request before deciding on Woodside's North West Shelf proposal, which is expected before May 31.
'Today I am commencing proceedings in the Federal Court to force Environment Minister Murray Watt to address my application for protection of the Murujuga rock art under Section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Heritage Protection Act,' she said.
'I originally brought this application in early 2022 when I learned how my cultural heritage would be affected if industry was allowed to continue expanding on Murujuga, including Woodside's North West Shelf extension.
'Many hundreds of people and organisations made submissions in support of my application for urgent protection of this area.
'That was three years ago. For their entire first term, Labor have ignored my application while the devastation to my cultural heritage has continued on Murujuga.
'I am sickened that the minster would make such a decision without even paying us the respect of coming here to meet with the Custodians of this place, and without even seeing the incredible Murujuga rock art with his own eyes.'
Across the nation and around the world
Here's what's making headlines today:
Nationals leader David Littleproud was preparing to dump former leaders Michael McCormack and Barnaby Joyce from his front bench on Thursday, but is now facing questions about his future after the pair worked with Liberal leader Sussan Ley to pressure him into reopening Coalition talks.
The ABC has copped a lot of flak from the conservative side of politics in the past decade. But 7.30 anchor Sarah Ferguson and breakfast host Bridget Brennan have unwittingly become mediators who helped Nationals leader David Littleproud and Liberal leader Sussan Ley see eye to eye.
Jim Chalmers' plan to raise extra tax out of superannuation funds with more than $3 million will hit hundreds of thousands of young people while enticing them to sink more cash into trusts, one of the country's leading tax experts has warned.
Property investors priced out of the city are flocking to far-flung regional towns in search of more affordable homes and attractive rental returns.
Rapper Scott 'Kid Cudi' Mescudi testified at Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex-trafficking trial that the hip-hop mogul broke into his home in 2011 after discovering Mescudi was dating his on-and-off girlfriend Casandra Ventura.
At least two people onboard a private plane were killed when it crashed into a San Diego military housing neighbourhood during foggy weather.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

It's the question Albanese hates most, but the answer tells us much about him
It's the question Albanese hates most, but the answer tells us much about him

Sydney Morning Herald

time6 hours ago

  • Sydney Morning Herald

It's the question Albanese hates most, but the answer tells us much about him

Albanese's views on ambition and trust in politics were shaped, in part, by 12 years of watching John Howard up close and then the 2010 caucus coup that tore down Kevin Rudd. At the time, he warned the switch to Julia Gillard would destroy the careers of two potentially great Australian prime ministers and that Labor should be 'fighting tories', not each other. He was correct. In the decade that followed, Labor lost power and the Coalition cycled through three prime ministers before being booted out of office without having achieved much. At the 'Kingo' in 2021, Albanese spoke at length about how the prime ministerial merry-go-round had smashed Australians' faith in politics and politicians (a trend replicated in democracies around the world) and how corrosive that was for democracy and social cohesion. If elected prime minister, he said, he would pursue economic and social reforms but not at the expense of rebuilding trust in Australian politics. Later, during the 2022 election campaign, Albanese outlined a two-term strategy to try to restore the ALP as the ' natural party of government '. In office, Albanese has mostly stuck to his promise to rebuild trust – with two exceptions. First, holding the Voice to parliament referendum, which had been flagged before the election but which ultimately proved to be too much change too soon for most Australians. Second, his decision to change Scott Morrison's stage three tax cuts. This was a broken promise and Albanese was roundly castigated when he announced the change. The critics howled about a promise broken – Peter Dutton called for an early election – but they (including yours truly) were wrong. Albanese took the Australian people into his trust and explained the reasons for the decision. The fact that millions of extra Australians got a tax cut didn't hurt, either. The defeat of the Voice spooked Albanese, and although he carried the day on tax cut changes, these were difficult moments for the government. Though one change was successful and one was not, both contributed to Albanese's already innate caution during the first term. Loading Proposals Labor was examining – such as winding back negative gearing tax breaks – were kicked into the long grass, despite Treasurer Jim Chalmers championing them. Albanese left the door open for just a few days on that proposal before slamming it shut. And while some economists argue that winding back negative gearing could reduce housing supply and exacerbate the problem, the public perception is that limiting the tax break would help solve the housing crisis. But by not acting on this policy, Albanese has reinforced public perceptions that he lacks ambition. When asked about this, the PM vehemently disagrees. Regularly, in public and in private, he will run through a long list of reforms that run the gamut from climate and housing polices, industrial relations, student debt relief and more. Whether you agree with him or not, Albanese enjoys one of the largest majorities in Australian political history, so he must be doing something right. Barring an act of God or caucus, Albanese is certain to lead Labor to the next election, and if this parliament runs full term, he will become the eighth longest-serving PM. Three full three-year terms would leave him behind only Robert Menzies and Howard and ahead of Labor legend Bob Hawke. That is rare air. Albanese – the first prime minister to be re-elected since 2004 – is embedding himself in the political firmament as a left-wing John Howard. The secret to Howard's success was trust. Even those Australians who didn't like him or vote for him trusted that he acted in what he thought was Australia's best interests. Howard used that reservoir of trust to deliver the GST, and then broke that trust with Work Choices. Albanese has not yet delivered anything like Howard's signature achievement, though if the government can put the NDIS on a sustainable footing that will be a huge accomplishment.

It's the question Albanese hates most, but the answer tells us much about him
It's the question Albanese hates most, but the answer tells us much about him

The Age

time6 hours ago

  • The Age

It's the question Albanese hates most, but the answer tells us much about him

Albanese's views on ambition and trust in politics were shaped, in part, by 12 years of watching John Howard up close and then the 2010 caucus coup that tore down Kevin Rudd. At the time, he warned the switch to Julia Gillard would destroy the careers of two potentially great Australian prime ministers and that Labor should be 'fighting tories', not each other. He was correct. In the decade that followed, Labor lost power and the Coalition cycled through three prime ministers before being booted out of office without having achieved much. At the 'Kingo' in 2021, Albanese spoke at length about how the prime ministerial merry-go-round had smashed Australians' faith in politics and politicians (a trend replicated in democracies around the world) and how corrosive that was for democracy and social cohesion. If elected prime minister, he said, he would pursue economic and social reforms but not at the expense of rebuilding trust in Australian politics. Later, during the 2022 election campaign, Albanese outlined a two-term strategy to try to restore the ALP as the ' natural party of government '. In office, Albanese has mostly stuck to his promise to rebuild trust – with two exceptions. First, holding the Voice to parliament referendum, which had been flagged before the election but which ultimately proved to be too much change too soon for most Australians. Second, his decision to change Scott Morrison's stage three tax cuts. This was a broken promise and Albanese was roundly castigated when he announced the change. The critics howled about a promise broken – Peter Dutton called for an early election – but they (including yours truly) were wrong. Albanese took the Australian people into his trust and explained the reasons for the decision. The fact that millions of extra Australians got a tax cut didn't hurt, either. The defeat of the Voice spooked Albanese, and although he carried the day on tax cut changes, these were difficult moments for the government. Though one change was successful and one was not, both contributed to Albanese's already innate caution during the first term. Loading Proposals Labor was examining – such as winding back negative gearing tax breaks – were kicked into the long grass, despite Treasurer Jim Chalmers championing them. Albanese left the door open for just a few days on that proposal before slamming it shut. And while some economists argue that winding back negative gearing could reduce housing supply and exacerbate the problem, the public perception is that limiting the tax break would help solve the housing crisis. But by not acting on this policy, Albanese has reinforced public perceptions that he lacks ambition. When asked about this, the PM vehemently disagrees. Regularly, in public and in private, he will run through a long list of reforms that run the gamut from climate and housing polices, industrial relations, student debt relief and more. Whether you agree with him or not, Albanese enjoys one of the largest majorities in Australian political history, so he must be doing something right. Barring an act of God or caucus, Albanese is certain to lead Labor to the next election, and if this parliament runs full term, he will become the eighth longest-serving PM. Three full three-year terms would leave him behind only Robert Menzies and Howard and ahead of Labor legend Bob Hawke. That is rare air. Albanese – the first prime minister to be re-elected since 2004 – is embedding himself in the political firmament as a left-wing John Howard. The secret to Howard's success was trust. Even those Australians who didn't like him or vote for him trusted that he acted in what he thought was Australia's best interests. Howard used that reservoir of trust to deliver the GST, and then broke that trust with Work Choices. Albanese has not yet delivered anything like Howard's signature achievement, though if the government can put the NDIS on a sustainable footing that will be a huge accomplishment.

Labor rebounds to leads in Victorian and Queensland Resolve polls
Labor rebounds to leads in Victorian and Queensland Resolve polls

The Advertiser

time7 hours ago

  • The Advertiser

Labor rebounds to leads in Victorian and Queensland Resolve polls

Victorian and Queensland state Resolve polls both show Labor rebounding from big deficits to now lead. In Tasmania, Josh Willie from the left faction replaces Dean Winter as Labor leader. A Victorian state Resolve poll for The Age, conducted with the federal July and August Resolve polls from a sample more than 1,000, gave the Coalition 33% of the primary vote (down eight since March), Labor 32% (up eight), the Greens 12% (down two), independents 9% (down five) and others 13% (up six). Resolve doesn't usually give a two-party estimate for its state polls, but The Poll Bludger estimated a Labor lead by about 53-47. Labor had been far behind in March. Despite the big gain for Labor on voting intentions, Liberal leader Brad Battin led Labor incumbent Jacinta Allan by 32-25 as preferred premier (36-23 in March). This measure normally favours the incumbent more than voting intentions. Battin's lead may indicate that Labor's recovery is mostly due to the federal election result. The Age's article said Labor's primary vote was 30% in July, before Allan announced her working from home policy, and it improved to 34% in August. A national Resolve poll had voters supporting working from home at least two days a week by 64-17. Allan's net likeability surged 11 points, but is still at -21. This poll agrees with late June Newspoll and Redbridge polls in giving Labor a lead in Victoria. The next Victorian state election is not due until November 2026. While Labor has rebounded, they could fall back if voters focus more on state issues or if federal Labor's popularity subsides. By the next election, Labor will have governed Victoria for the last 12 years, and 23 of the last 27 years, so the Liberals should benefit from an "it's time" factor. However, the Liberals have their own problems with internal divisions. A Queensland state Resolve poll for The Brisbane Times, conducted in July and August from a sample of 869, gave the Liberal National Party (LNP) 34% of the primary vote (down 11 since the January to April Resolve poll), Labor 32% (up ten), the Greens 10% (down two), One Nation 8% (steady), independents 8% (up one) and others 7% (up one). Analyst Kevin Bonham estimated there would be a very narrow Labor lead after preferences. LNP premier David Crisafulli's net likeability was up two points to +20, as this was question last asked before the LNP won the October 2024 election. Labor leader Steven Miles, who was premier before the election, improved his net likeability 12 points to -1. Crisafulli led by 40-25 as preferred premier (44-22 in January to April). Unlike Victoria, other recent Queensland polls disagree with Resolve. Early July Queensland polls from Redbridge and DemosAU gave the LNP a 55-45 or 56-44 lead. On Tuesday, Labor failed to gain support for its no-confidence motion in the Tasmanian Liberal government from any non-Labor MP, despite the five Greens and four of six others being left-leaning. With Labor losing the July 19 election, the party leadership was spilled. On Wednesday, Josh Willie from the left faction replaced Dean Winter as Tasmanian Labor leader after a long meeting of Labor's 10 state MPs. Officially this was unanimous to avoid a membership ballot, with Winter stepping aside. The ABC said many MPs wanted Winter to remain leader, but party members would have likely strongly favoured Willie. If Labor wants to return to government soon, Willie will need to repair Labor's relationship with the Greens and left-leaning independents. Labor's last period in government finished in 2014. I previously covered the August 11-16 federal Resolve poll that gave Labor a 59-41 lead. In additional questions, respondents supported a legislated right to work from home at least two days a week by 64-17 if an employee's job allows this. By 66-13, respondents supported a four-day week if an employee did the same work they would have over five days. Victorian and Queensland state Resolve polls both show Labor rebounding from big deficits to now lead. In Tasmania, Josh Willie from the left faction replaces Dean Winter as Labor leader. A Victorian state Resolve poll for The Age, conducted with the federal July and August Resolve polls from a sample more than 1,000, gave the Coalition 33% of the primary vote (down eight since March), Labor 32% (up eight), the Greens 12% (down two), independents 9% (down five) and others 13% (up six). Resolve doesn't usually give a two-party estimate for its state polls, but The Poll Bludger estimated a Labor lead by about 53-47. Labor had been far behind in March. Despite the big gain for Labor on voting intentions, Liberal leader Brad Battin led Labor incumbent Jacinta Allan by 32-25 as preferred premier (36-23 in March). This measure normally favours the incumbent more than voting intentions. Battin's lead may indicate that Labor's recovery is mostly due to the federal election result. The Age's article said Labor's primary vote was 30% in July, before Allan announced her working from home policy, and it improved to 34% in August. A national Resolve poll had voters supporting working from home at least two days a week by 64-17. Allan's net likeability surged 11 points, but is still at -21. This poll agrees with late June Newspoll and Redbridge polls in giving Labor a lead in Victoria. The next Victorian state election is not due until November 2026. While Labor has rebounded, they could fall back if voters focus more on state issues or if federal Labor's popularity subsides. By the next election, Labor will have governed Victoria for the last 12 years, and 23 of the last 27 years, so the Liberals should benefit from an "it's time" factor. However, the Liberals have their own problems with internal divisions. A Queensland state Resolve poll for The Brisbane Times, conducted in July and August from a sample of 869, gave the Liberal National Party (LNP) 34% of the primary vote (down 11 since the January to April Resolve poll), Labor 32% (up ten), the Greens 10% (down two), One Nation 8% (steady), independents 8% (up one) and others 7% (up one). Analyst Kevin Bonham estimated there would be a very narrow Labor lead after preferences. LNP premier David Crisafulli's net likeability was up two points to +20, as this was question last asked before the LNP won the October 2024 election. Labor leader Steven Miles, who was premier before the election, improved his net likeability 12 points to -1. Crisafulli led by 40-25 as preferred premier (44-22 in January to April). Unlike Victoria, other recent Queensland polls disagree with Resolve. Early July Queensland polls from Redbridge and DemosAU gave the LNP a 55-45 or 56-44 lead. On Tuesday, Labor failed to gain support for its no-confidence motion in the Tasmanian Liberal government from any non-Labor MP, despite the five Greens and four of six others being left-leaning. With Labor losing the July 19 election, the party leadership was spilled. On Wednesday, Josh Willie from the left faction replaced Dean Winter as Tasmanian Labor leader after a long meeting of Labor's 10 state MPs. Officially this was unanimous to avoid a membership ballot, with Winter stepping aside. The ABC said many MPs wanted Winter to remain leader, but party members would have likely strongly favoured Willie. If Labor wants to return to government soon, Willie will need to repair Labor's relationship with the Greens and left-leaning independents. Labor's last period in government finished in 2014. I previously covered the August 11-16 federal Resolve poll that gave Labor a 59-41 lead. In additional questions, respondents supported a legislated right to work from home at least two days a week by 64-17 if an employee's job allows this. By 66-13, respondents supported a four-day week if an employee did the same work they would have over five days. Victorian and Queensland state Resolve polls both show Labor rebounding from big deficits to now lead. In Tasmania, Josh Willie from the left faction replaces Dean Winter as Labor leader. A Victorian state Resolve poll for The Age, conducted with the federal July and August Resolve polls from a sample more than 1,000, gave the Coalition 33% of the primary vote (down eight since March), Labor 32% (up eight), the Greens 12% (down two), independents 9% (down five) and others 13% (up six). Resolve doesn't usually give a two-party estimate for its state polls, but The Poll Bludger estimated a Labor lead by about 53-47. Labor had been far behind in March. Despite the big gain for Labor on voting intentions, Liberal leader Brad Battin led Labor incumbent Jacinta Allan by 32-25 as preferred premier (36-23 in March). This measure normally favours the incumbent more than voting intentions. Battin's lead may indicate that Labor's recovery is mostly due to the federal election result. The Age's article said Labor's primary vote was 30% in July, before Allan announced her working from home policy, and it improved to 34% in August. A national Resolve poll had voters supporting working from home at least two days a week by 64-17. Allan's net likeability surged 11 points, but is still at -21. This poll agrees with late June Newspoll and Redbridge polls in giving Labor a lead in Victoria. The next Victorian state election is not due until November 2026. While Labor has rebounded, they could fall back if voters focus more on state issues or if federal Labor's popularity subsides. By the next election, Labor will have governed Victoria for the last 12 years, and 23 of the last 27 years, so the Liberals should benefit from an "it's time" factor. However, the Liberals have their own problems with internal divisions. A Queensland state Resolve poll for The Brisbane Times, conducted in July and August from a sample of 869, gave the Liberal National Party (LNP) 34% of the primary vote (down 11 since the January to April Resolve poll), Labor 32% (up ten), the Greens 10% (down two), One Nation 8% (steady), independents 8% (up one) and others 7% (up one). Analyst Kevin Bonham estimated there would be a very narrow Labor lead after preferences. LNP premier David Crisafulli's net likeability was up two points to +20, as this was question last asked before the LNP won the October 2024 election. Labor leader Steven Miles, who was premier before the election, improved his net likeability 12 points to -1. Crisafulli led by 40-25 as preferred premier (44-22 in January to April). Unlike Victoria, other recent Queensland polls disagree with Resolve. Early July Queensland polls from Redbridge and DemosAU gave the LNP a 55-45 or 56-44 lead. On Tuesday, Labor failed to gain support for its no-confidence motion in the Tasmanian Liberal government from any non-Labor MP, despite the five Greens and four of six others being left-leaning. With Labor losing the July 19 election, the party leadership was spilled. On Wednesday, Josh Willie from the left faction replaced Dean Winter as Tasmanian Labor leader after a long meeting of Labor's 10 state MPs. Officially this was unanimous to avoid a membership ballot, with Winter stepping aside. The ABC said many MPs wanted Winter to remain leader, but party members would have likely strongly favoured Willie. If Labor wants to return to government soon, Willie will need to repair Labor's relationship with the Greens and left-leaning independents. Labor's last period in government finished in 2014. I previously covered the August 11-16 federal Resolve poll that gave Labor a 59-41 lead. In additional questions, respondents supported a legislated right to work from home at least two days a week by 64-17 if an employee's job allows this. By 66-13, respondents supported a four-day week if an employee did the same work they would have over five days. Victorian and Queensland state Resolve polls both show Labor rebounding from big deficits to now lead. In Tasmania, Josh Willie from the left faction replaces Dean Winter as Labor leader. A Victorian state Resolve poll for The Age, conducted with the federal July and August Resolve polls from a sample more than 1,000, gave the Coalition 33% of the primary vote (down eight since March), Labor 32% (up eight), the Greens 12% (down two), independents 9% (down five) and others 13% (up six). Resolve doesn't usually give a two-party estimate for its state polls, but The Poll Bludger estimated a Labor lead by about 53-47. Labor had been far behind in March. Despite the big gain for Labor on voting intentions, Liberal leader Brad Battin led Labor incumbent Jacinta Allan by 32-25 as preferred premier (36-23 in March). This measure normally favours the incumbent more than voting intentions. Battin's lead may indicate that Labor's recovery is mostly due to the federal election result. The Age's article said Labor's primary vote was 30% in July, before Allan announced her working from home policy, and it improved to 34% in August. A national Resolve poll had voters supporting working from home at least two days a week by 64-17. Allan's net likeability surged 11 points, but is still at -21. This poll agrees with late June Newspoll and Redbridge polls in giving Labor a lead in Victoria. The next Victorian state election is not due until November 2026. While Labor has rebounded, they could fall back if voters focus more on state issues or if federal Labor's popularity subsides. By the next election, Labor will have governed Victoria for the last 12 years, and 23 of the last 27 years, so the Liberals should benefit from an "it's time" factor. However, the Liberals have their own problems with internal divisions. A Queensland state Resolve poll for The Brisbane Times, conducted in July and August from a sample of 869, gave the Liberal National Party (LNP) 34% of the primary vote (down 11 since the January to April Resolve poll), Labor 32% (up ten), the Greens 10% (down two), One Nation 8% (steady), independents 8% (up one) and others 7% (up one). Analyst Kevin Bonham estimated there would be a very narrow Labor lead after preferences. LNP premier David Crisafulli's net likeability was up two points to +20, as this was question last asked before the LNP won the October 2024 election. Labor leader Steven Miles, who was premier before the election, improved his net likeability 12 points to -1. Crisafulli led by 40-25 as preferred premier (44-22 in January to April). Unlike Victoria, other recent Queensland polls disagree with Resolve. Early July Queensland polls from Redbridge and DemosAU gave the LNP a 55-45 or 56-44 lead. On Tuesday, Labor failed to gain support for its no-confidence motion in the Tasmanian Liberal government from any non-Labor MP, despite the five Greens and four of six others being left-leaning. With Labor losing the July 19 election, the party leadership was spilled. On Wednesday, Josh Willie from the left faction replaced Dean Winter as Tasmanian Labor leader after a long meeting of Labor's 10 state MPs. Officially this was unanimous to avoid a membership ballot, with Winter stepping aside. The ABC said many MPs wanted Winter to remain leader, but party members would have likely strongly favoured Willie. If Labor wants to return to government soon, Willie will need to repair Labor's relationship with the Greens and left-leaning independents. Labor's last period in government finished in 2014. I previously covered the August 11-16 federal Resolve poll that gave Labor a 59-41 lead. In additional questions, respondents supported a legislated right to work from home at least two days a week by 64-17 if an employee's job allows this. By 66-13, respondents supported a four-day week if an employee did the same work they would have over five days.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store