Media Release | 28 May 2025
Shane Love MLA
The Leader of the Nationals WA
Shadow Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Shadow Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Nationals Leader Shane Love MLA, has welcomed the long-overdue approval of the North West Shelf Project expansion, while condemning the six-year delay that jeopardised investment and undermined confidence in Western Australia’s critical gas industry.
“This is an obvious and practical decision, one that should have been made years ago,” Mr Love said.
“The North West Shelf Project is vital to Western Australia’s economic future, our national energy security, and our role in a responsible global energy transition.”
Mr Love said the more than six-year delay since Woodside lodged its environmental applications in 2018 had created damaging uncertainty, stalled progress, and seriously undermined investor confidence in Western Australia’s resources sector.
“These delays have had real-world consequences. Time, resources and opportunity have been wasted. The operator was left in limbo and that’s not good enough,” he said.
“This is not just a Western Australian issue; it’s a national issue. Australia cannot afford to let major resource projects of global significance be bogged down by bureaucracy, red tape and political hesitation.”
Mr Love said both State and Federal Labor Governments must take responsibility.
“The system is too slow, too uncertain and too politically risk averse. If we want to remain a serious player in global energy, we need a regulatory process that matches that ambition.”
“WA’s gas industry underpins thousands of jobs, drives investment, and supports our transition to cleaner energy. Projects like this need clarity and urgency, not endless delays.”
Mr Love called on the Cook Labor Government and Federal Labor to commit to genuine reform of the approvals process for nationally significant projects.
“Let this be a turning point. Approvals must be quicker, clearer, and more transparent. That’s what investors expect, and that’s what Western Australians deserve.”
ENDS
