By Denis Hay
Description
The Labor gas expansion, including Albanese’s approval of Woodside’s project, defies climate goals and threatens heritage. Discover what’s at stake and why it matters.
Problem – A Government of Contradictions
A Quiet Decision with Global Implications
In May 2025, Environment Minister Murray Watt quietly signed off on the 46-year extension of Woodside’s North West Shelf gas project. Emissions from the project are projected to be equivalent to adding 12 coal-fired power stations to Australia’s carbon output.
“This is a betrayal of Australia’s commitment to net-zero,” remarked Bill Hare, CEO of Climate Analytics.
This Labor gas expansion stands in direct opposition to the climate commitments made during the election campaign.
A Direct Threat to Climate and Culture
This decision not only undermines climate action but endangers Murujuga, home to over a million petroglyphs considered sacred by traditional custodians. Industrial emissions threaten to erode this irreplaceable cultural heritage.
Murujuga, located on the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia, is a living gallery of human history, with rock art estimated to be over 40,000 years old. These engravings are not merely cultural relics—they represent ancestral knowledge, spiritual narratives, and the identity of the First Nations people.
According to scientists and UNESCO heritage officials, acid rain caused by industrial emissions from gas processing plants can chemically react with the rocks, gradually dissolving these ancient carvings. The impact may be irreversible.
Furthermore, cultural practitioners and Indigenous leaders have voiced their frustration over being sidelined in decision-making. Yindjibarndi elder Michael Woodley stated:
“This is a sacred site, not just for us, but for all humanity. When you approve projects that destroy it, you’re erasing history.”
The site is currently under consideration for World Heritage listing, yet the approval of new industrial projects directly contradicts the criteria of preservation and respect required for such status.
This isn’t just about gas – it’s about what kind of legacy we leave behind. The Albanese government’s choice pits economic convenience against irreplaceable cultural heritage and a habitable planet.
The True Cost of Fossil Fuel Loyalty
Emissions, Heritage, and Hypocrisy
Despite a massive election mandate, the Labor gas expansion echoes fossil fuel loyalty. Indigenous communities weren’t adequately consulted, and environmental experts warn that approving such projects nullifies national emissions targets.
A Yindjibarndi Elder shared:
“We’ve been caretakers of this land for thousands of years. What right does a minister in Canberra have to destroy it for a few decades of profit?”
The Public Wasn’t Told
There was no national address, no press conference, and no consultation with the wider Australian public before the Labor gas expansion was approved. This silence wasn’t accidental; it was strategic. By quietly pushing through approvals like the North West Shelf gas extension, the Albanese Government avoided national scrutiny and sidestepped critical conversations about Australia’s climate obligations and cultural heritage responsibilities.
The Labor gas expansion was not discussed transparently during the election campaign, nor was it subjected to meaningful debate in Parliament post-election. Key environmental organisations and Indigenous groups found out through media leaks or delayed regulatory filings, not direct communication.
This lack of transparency reflects a more profound issue: when fossil fuel projects are entangled with political donations and backroom lobbying, democratic processes are often ignored. The public deserves to know when their future is being compromised in exchange for short-term profits. Australians were not allowed to weigh in on the environmental and cultural trade-offs of this decision, nor were alternative energy investments or local renewable opportunities publicly considered.
While the government continues to claim it is acting in the national interest, its refusal to openly discuss the Labor gas expansion exposes a disconnection between political rhetoric and real-world consequences.
Rethinking Resource Policy with Sovereignty
Reclaiming Australia’s Dollar Sovereignty
As a monetarily sovereign nation, Australia has the fiscal capacity to directly invest in clean energy infrastructure, environmental protection, and public services without needing to borrow from markets or rely on fossil fuel royalties. The issue is not financial, it’s political.
Countries like Japan and Norway have implemented expansive renewable programs through public investment. Australia can do the same by embracing its currency-issuing power to fund a just transition and ensure long-term environmental security.
This includes publicly owned solar, wind, battery storage, and green hydrogen facilities, as well as support for regional jobs and training programs.
By thoroughly understanding Modern Monetary Theory (MMT), Australia can reject austerity narratives and utilise its monetary sovereignty to generate long-term value for all citizens. Investing in public goods like clean energy isn’t a financial burden – it’s an opportunity to build resilient infrastructure that benefits future generations.
Legislative Change and Public Oversight
Current environmental laws were designed before the climate crisis was fully understood. They fail to consider the cumulative impact of emissions from fossil fuel projects. Reform must include mandatory climate impact assessments, enforceable emissions caps, and the legal right for First Nations communities to reject projects on their land.
Comprehensive legislation must also address the political economy of fossil fuel lobbying. This includes establishing a national register of political donations linked to the resource sector and placing strict limits on post-political employment within fossil fuel corporations.
Strengthening public oversight requires a national Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) with the power to audit, intervene, and enforce climate obligations. It should be independent, well-resourced, and accountable to Parliament, not the Prime Minister’s Office.
Empowering First Nations Leadership in Resource Policy
First Nations Australians have managed this continent sustainably for over 60,000 years. Their knowledge systems, ecological practices, and custodianship should not be viewed as symbolic – they should be at the centre of environmental governance.
Empowering Indigenous leadership means going beyond consultation. It requires legal frameworks that enforce consent, fund Indigenous-led conservation programs, and place cultural heritage protection on equal footing with economic development.
The Labor gas expansion has once again highlighted the lack of meaningful First Nations involvement in decisions that directly affect their lands and heritage.
We need co-management models that allow Traditional Owners to lead in land stewardship and environmental decision-making. This includes securing land rights, providing guaranteed seats on advisory panels, and embedding cultural values into state planning processes.
By integrating Indigenous governance, we not only protect heritage, but we also unlock sustainable land and water management practices that benefit all Australians.
The Path Forward
The Labor gas expansion represents a dangerous double standard: climate rhetoric paired with fossil fuel action. Australia’s environment, cultural heritage, and global credibility are all at risk.
But change is possible. By using our monetary sovereignty wisely and empowering Indigenous voices, we can chart a cleaner, more just path forward.
Question for Readers
How do you feel about the Labor gas expansion and the government approving decades-long fossil fuel projects despite climate pledges?
Q&A Section
Q1: Why did the government approve this project?
The government cited energy security and economic stability, but many believe it reflects donor pressure and outdated economic models. This Labor gas expansion has raised many questions.
Q2: What is Murujuga, and why is it important?
Murujuga, also known as the Burrup Peninsula, is home to the world’s oldest and most extensive collection of rock art, threatened by industrial emissions.
Q3: Can we afford to fund renewables instead?
Yes. Australia issues its own currency. Through the proper use of our dollar sovereignty, we can fund renewable energy without relying on fossil fuel giants.
Q4: What can citizens do to respond to the Labor gas expansion?
Citizens can demand stronger climate laws, support independent media, vote for candidates who prioritise environmental justice, and push for Indigenous-led decision-making on their traditional lands.
Reference:
Why Woodside’s WA gas expansion will drive up energy bills
Call to Action
If you found this article insightful, explore more on political reform and Australia’s monetary sovereignty at Social Justice Australia. The Labor gas expansion is not just a policy choice – it’s a reflection of priorities that need to be challenged through civic engagement and grassroots pressure.
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Interesting that Plibersek wasn’t the one signing off on it.