Neither glib lines nor warm thoughts can hide the cynicism of Labor’s North West Shelf decision | Clear Air

There is cynicism right through the Albanese government's proposed approval of a 45-year life extension for one of the world’s biggest gas developments.

The announcement that Labor planned to greenlight the North West Shelf liquified natural gas project, on the Burrup Hub in northern Western Australia , came just 15 days after Murray Watt was sworn in as environment minister.

The rapid turnaround suggests either departmental advice backing the decision was waiting for him when he arrived, or he digested it particularly quickly.

Labor has approved about 30 fossil fuel developments and expansions since it was elected in 2022 .

Meanwhile, Australia has been hit by simultaneous devastating drought and floods in neighbouring states.

The World Meteorological Organization says the world is racing towards breaking temperature goals set out in the 2015 Paris climate agreement much faster than expected.