Gas decision has ruined Labor's environmental credibility

Sydney Morning Herald

29-05-2025

Are we hell-bent on pumping even more emissions into our atmosphere for short-term gain (' Albanese just extended a major fossil fuel project for 45 years. Here's what it means ', May 29)? The North West Shelf expansion, now set to go ahead, will have gas producers salivating and fossil fuel lobbyists feeling encouraged. Donald Trump's denialism and full-blown environmental vandalism has emboldened naysayers and anti-science conspiracists around the globe. But why would the Labor government, having built on its policies to cut emissions from electricity generation, transport and industry, approve other projects which, in the case of the NW Shelf, would add on-site emissions of 7.7 million tonnes a year? Why would the government not feel emboldened, since the election, to say no to the gas companies who want to keep us addicted? Why would the government not demand that the gas we already have be provided to Australian consumers, not sold to the highest bidder overseas to fill the overseas gas companies' coffers? Fiona Colin, Malvern East
Environment Minister Murray Watt, in announcing preliminary approval to Woodside for its North West Shelf Project's 45-year extension plan, stated that the decision was made after 'consideration of rigorous scientific and other advice … from a wide cross-section of the community' and 'subject to strict conditions'. Given that the wide-ranging negative environmental impact of ocean drilling for gas is well documented, and in this case there is also the high risk of damage to the culturally significant 50,000-year-old Aboriginal rock art in the region to the extent that it would lose World Heritage status, we need to know – what is the scientific evidence for the government's case and what are the strict conditions that would be consistent with Labor's pre-election promises to promote the development of renewable energy. It seems to me that the government is risking a Faustian bargain. Paul Casey, Callala Bay
I'm bitterly disappointed that the Albanese government has extended the life of Woodside's North West Shelf gas industry. Wishfully, I thought Labor would be the better environmental manager of our two major parties, and I am horrified that they have failed the first test in their second term of government – protecting Australia's magnificent natural and cultural heritage. The WA Tourism website says 120,000 people are employed in the state's industry, at least 50 times the number employed by Woodside gas. Thousands of tour operators would lose their jobs due to the degradation of WA's natural wonders such as Scott Reef. Losing a few thousand Woodside jobs is hardly a tragedy compared to the desecration of our country caused by this extension. Margot Vaccari, Berowra
Still reeling from the graphic scenes of carnage on the sea floor shown in the must-see film Ocean, I'm wondering what role our government will take in the UN Ocean Conference being held in France next month. Come on, Albo – we voted for you and environmental protection. The Woodside decision and the destructive message it sends doesn't sit well with your pre-election policies. Neither does it augur well for your legacy. It seems as if you are choosing to channel bottom-feeder Trump rather than the extraordinary David Attenborough. Rosemary Russell, Neutral Bay
What a disgrace. Giving Woodside an extension for 40 years, no less. They've already made their money out of NWS and now an extension. Thanks for the $40 billion over 40 years, Woodside, and how much did you get back from the $40 billion a year the Government subsidises fossil fuel industry in Australia? North West Shelf employment of about 2200 is 0.03% of employment in Western Australia. Big deal – not. And what do you do about all the emissions you produce getting the gas to sell overseas for Japan to sell on at great profit? I'm appalled by this government's decisions on gas and coal approvals. Totally disgusted. Jon Percival, Taringa (Qld)
With news of the Woodside approval, every young Australian should now understand that we have a government that puts the economic interests of the fossil fuel industry ahead of their futures. The fast-emerging climate crisis will present young people with a very challenging future. Surely they have a right to expect our current political leaders to be taking every possible step not to make the situation worse. Catherine Rossiter, Fadden (Qld)
Fossil fuel fantasies
Having first-hand experience after visiting in 2018, I can assure Santos MD Kevin Gallagher that it is not Victoria which has the North Korea mindset, but the gas industry (' Santos says investment conditions in Victoria are like North Korea ', May 29). Much like the recent North Korean warship launch, the argument that Australia needs more gas development falls over as soon as it is exposed to the real world – where outside the fossil fuel industry and its media enabler's rigid and predictable groupthink, renewable energy sources remain cheaper, cleaner, more timely and do not irreversibly destroy a liveable planet for future generations. That these shysters have been able to pay virtually no tax while exporting most of Australia's gas offshore is a national shame and tragedy, so let's not add to the debacle by swallowing fossil fuel fairytales. As Australian patriots might say: no representation without taxation. Chris Roylance Paddington (Qld)
It is intriguing how much Kevin Gallagher knows about investment conditions in North Korea given the international sanctions against the country. Perhaps he is paid so much as CEO to compensate for swallowing his moral compass to do his work. His whinge about a democratic society making the destruction of their environment more onerous sounds like a win to me. I suspect the same kind of complaints were made in the 19th century by those investing in the slave trade. Giles Parker, Riverview
Use Royal Randwick for housing
Peter McGauran, chairman of the Australian Turf Club, claims that a great opportunity to financially secure the future of thoroughbred racing has been lost with the vote not to support the sale of Rosehill racecourse (' Rosehill won't become a mini-city, but there's a Plan B just down the metro line ', May 29). Your correspondent Mike Keneally has proposed, as an alternative, the disposal of Canterbury track (Letters, May 29), while acknowledging it is a smaller area than Rosehill. Another option would be for racing to focus on Warwick Farm and Rosehill tracks and dispose of Royal Randwick racecourse, which is not only a larger land area than Rosehill but of far greater value for housing development as it is already well served by the light rail system and is close to important health services and the University of NSW. As well, the new suburb of Royal Randwick, being adjacent to Centennial Park, would have ready access to recreational facilities. Thus, it would be ideally suited to high-rise residential development similar to that at nearby Queen's Park. McGauran claims that selling Rosehill would have financially helped the racing industry. This seems to suggest that the industry is suffering difficulties, at a time when the number of NSW races with prize money above $1 million continues to increase and would-be owners are struggling to buy a yearling for less than a few hundred thousand dollars. Bruce Coomber, Sawtell
Should Premier Chris Minns compulsorily acquire Rosehill racecourse for housing despite opposition from 'high-profile' wealthy trainers (' Timid city needs V'landys 'can-do', May 29)? The arguments in favour are very strong, though of course it's not only the wealthy, well-connected and powerful people who run racing we should be concerned about as we wrestle with the crisis of housing affordability. We need a laser focus on vastly increasing not just the amount of housing, but well-designed housing with good urban amenity such as parks, sports fields, public transport and schools all based on suburbs that are designed to be walked around, not car-based. To get good suburbs, we need more than government making land available; we need the firm hand of government mandating good urban design and the direct provision of public housing in spades.
Of course NSW being what it is, the conflict of interests between wealthy and powerful developer interests are likely to be even more problematic to the delivery of good housing than the horse and gambling crowd, influential as they are. Colin Hesse, Nowra
Rosehill had a train station. It now has a light rail stop at Rosehill Gardens – some 600 metres from the main entrance to the course. Grand Avenue is congested with heavy vehicle traffic from industries that feeds into James Ruse Drive, which is a carpark most weekday mornings and afternoons. The whole notion of placing a mini-city in this location was fraught with many more issues than the value of the land or turf club members' votes. George Zivkovic, Northmead
For the record, those who advocate development of Canterbury racecourse for housing need to understand that the racecourse, built beside the banks of the Cooks River, lies on reclaimed swamp; every time it rains, it returns to its mangrove origins. Recent housing developments nearby are pumping water out of their basements constantly and have rapidly dropped in value. John Bailey, Canterbury
Unions: It's complex
It's great to see the lid lifted on corruption in the CFMEU but unfortunate that it fires up those who demonise the trade union movement (' CFMEU confessions ', May 29). Unions have played a huge role in improving the lives of millions of Australians. Sadly, many younger people who have benefited from battles fought by previous generations are reluctant to belong to a union. I can't help feeling collective bargaining is becoming more important than ever as work is casualised or outsourced and AI threatens countless other jobs. Rob Mills, Riverview
Regulators dozed off
Caitlin Fitzsimmons' article exposes the deplorable service provided by Sydney Water and the EPA (' Forever chemicals in Sydney water ', May 28). Both agencies have been asleep at the wheel as these chemicals pollute our water and bodies. Remember how the EPA failed to act on radioactive materials at Hunters Hill many years ago, and we are still waiting for the same agency to identify the source of the asbestos spread in public parks and playgrounds. Maybe a royal commission into Sydney Water and the EPA would force management of both 'regulatory bodies' to do their jobs. Lin Sinton, Killarney Heights
Taxing the wealthy
Ross Gittins nails it once again (' Ignore rich men's super tax whine ', May 28) but omitted one important point regarding the alleged evil of taxing unrealised capital gains. Despite the fears that the sky might fall in if these gains were to be taxed, it should be remembered that a similar tax already exists – state Land Tax. It is levied annually on the unimproved value of property held (excluding the family home) above a specified threshold, even though the property has not been sold. It may not be a popular tax, but it forms an important part of the state's finances. Vince Taranto, Roselands
Style over substance
House sellers are not only ones being ripped off by the price of online advertising (' House sellers are being ripped off – and the ACCC is onto it ', May 29). There is also the expensive practice of 'styling' – in other words, convincing the vendor that the property will sell more easily or for a better price if there are 10 cushions on the bed. Add in the state government rip-off called stamp duty on a new purchase and it is no surprise a considerable proportion of the older generation do not consider downsizing. Stephanie Edwards, Leichhardt
Lesson lost
If Giselle Kapterian survives the recount, she will be immediately given a shadow ministry position. This will take her focus away from her electorate, which she barely knows, to her shadow position. And the Liberals wonder why Bradfield has become the ultimate marginal electorate? Years of neglect landed them in this position. They've learned nothing. Megan Pursche, Gordon
Let the sun set
Your editorial on the demise of the British Empire sets an odd jarring note of remorse that this has come about, when it should be a cause for rejoicing (' London lets the sun go down on the British Empire ', May 29). Professor Geoffrey Sachs of Colombia University says 'no country has done greater harm to the world than the British'. The results of British interference and British theft are still having repercussions today; our own ABC ran a show called Stuff the British Stole. A fitting farewell for the British Empire would be the nickname given to the Union Jack by Irish republicans – the butcher's apron. Denis Doherty, Glebe
Sorry to rain on the glorious parade of the empire, but the afterglow you are witnessing is from the unresolved embers of the many fires created by Britain in its colonies. The natives may have received incidental benefits, but undoubtedly the biggest winner from colonialism was the British Treasury. Let's stop reading the history as written by the victors. Good riddance. Manbir Singh Kohli, Pemulwuy
Problems loom for Ley
Liberal leader Sussan Ley has already proven a more savvy politician than predecessor Peter Dutton (' Team sorted, now the hard graft must start ', May 29). I suspect the collective IQ of the opposition frontbench is at least double what it was. However, perhaps her smartest move was to appoint Jacinta Price to the outer ministry, where she will be forced to hold her divisive tongue. Ley owes voters a huge debt of gratitude for dispensing with Dutton, who would have been an albatross around the Liberals' neck. She might even have a reasonably credible opposition if she can keep the wolves in her party at bay and persuade David Littleproud to keep his ego in check. Perhaps the biggest challenges facing this fragile alliance are the twin issues of net zero and nuclear power, which appears to be an impossible task. This could result in the downfall of both leaders and the demise of the Coalition's hopes of a speedy recovery. Graham Lum, North Rocks
Musk epiphany
As an astute businessman (he is the world's richest man, after all), Musk should have known about Trump's preferences well before now ('' Disappointed' Musk splits with Trump, says key tax bill undermines DOGE ', 29 May). Tax cuts for the rich were already enacted in Trump's first term. This is just a continuation of that. His tariff policies were part of his election platform and have been telegraphed for many years. And making someone a 'whipping boy' implies that they are innocent. By contrast, DOGE seems to have merited all the opprobrium it has been getting. It would seem that Musk has been blindly following the cult leader rather than sticking to common business sense. Maybe the scales have belatedly been lifted from his eyes? Still, at least he should benefit from the tax cuts. David Rush, Lawson
Silent not forgotten
I know Coral Button's generation as the Silent Gen, of which my parents were members (Letters, May 29). 'Silent' characterised this generation. They experienced many hardships, especially deprivations linked to the Great Depression and World War II without complaint. The Australia we have today is built on their toil. We should all be grateful for the foundation their efforts laid for the generations that followed. Meg Pickup, Ballina
Higher cause
When I got an A in English throughout my non-selective high school exams sometime last century, it prepared me for getting my letters published in the Herald. No selective high school could have done better. Dorothy Gliksman, Cedar Brush
Open for business
I was never a big fan of US President Ronald Reagan's conservative brand of politics, but I do like this quote of his: 'Politics I supposed to be the second-oldest profession. I have come to realise that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.' Eric Palm, Gympie