Murray Watt pledges decision on key gas project by month’s end after delays

Anthony Albanese’s new environment tsar has pledged a decision on a major gas project after delays under Tanya Plibersek.

Anthony Albanese’s new environment tsar has pledged to make a decision on a major gas project in Western Australia by month’s end after months delay.

Murray Watt was sworn into the environment portfolio last week as part of the Prime Minister’s post-election reshuffle, with former environment minister Tanya Plibersek moved to social services.

Extending the North West Shelf Project is the first big-ticket item in front of the new Environment Minister and was delayed under Ms Plibersek, who drew ire from both environmentalists and fossil fuel industrialists.

Senator Watt on Monday said it was “certainly my intention” to make a call on the project by the May 31 deadline.

Environment Minister Murray Watt has pledged to make a decision on a major gas project in Western Australia by month’s end. Picture: Save our Songlines

“I recognise that this project has been going through an approval process for quite some time and I think all parties want to see a resolution,” he told the ABC.

“Of course, there’s really strong views on either side of this debate, and I can guarantee you that whatever decision I make, there’ll be some people who’ll be unhappy.

“That’s the nature of the work that I’ll be doing in this portfolio, but it is my intention to stick to the current deadline of May 31.

“I have had some preliminary briefings from my department about this last week.

“I’ll be expecting some more formal briefings in the next few days so that I’ve got plenty of time to work through them and make that decision.”

Senator Watt succeeded Tanya Plibersek as environment minister in a post-election cabinet reshuffle. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Albanese intervened on several issues in Ms Plibersek’s old portfolio, including halting a deal she struck with the Senate crossbench to pass legislation for a new environmental protection agency.

He has since promised to set up a new agency.

More to come

Originally published as Murray Watt pledges decision on key gas project by month’s end after delays