WA Labor softens criticism over North West Shelf delay

Angela Macdonald-Smith, Tom Rabe and Ryan Cropp

Updated Mar 26, 2025 – 6.09pm, first published at 3.21pm

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West Australian Premier Roger Cook has softened his criticism of Commonwealth delays to approve a 40-year extension to the massive North West Shelf gas project after the decision was pushed beyond the looming federal election, and perhaps into hands of minority government.

The ruling, which Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek had already delayed by one month to March 31, has been pushed out by a further two months to May 31, according to a notice dated March 24 that was posted by the environment department.

Angela Macdonald-Smith writes on the resources industry with a focus on energy, including gas, oil, electricity and renewables.

Tom Rabe is the WA political correspondent, based in Perth.

Ryan Cropp is an energy and climate reporter at The Australian Financial Review based in the Canberra bureau.