Contributed from Victoria

Scientists have warned the proposal to extend the life of the gas processing plant on the Burrup Peninsula, which is in the country’s remote north-west is linked to the development of at least three major gas fields, and which will ultimately result in billions of tonnes of climate pollution being released into the atmosphere.

Despite this, the Western Australian government remains unperturbed, and the federal government stands aside as Woodside is about to be given a 50-year extension to continue without restraint.

_{Image from Greenpeace: See Woodside’s Burrup Hub offshore infrastructure}

To understand how this recommendation came about, it is necessary to realise that the EPA has been criticised as being stacked with pro mining people and has limited scope. Last month, this was narrowed down further, after the Environment Minister, Reece Whitby, announced that the rules would be changed the EPA could no longer regulate significant emissions levels from development proposals.

Immediately after this, the Minister announced that critics would only be given a small window of opportunity to respond. They were effectively cut out, and the implication is that the government intends to give Woodside the green light

The excuse is the claim that dirty emissions will slowly reduce. But a major element in this reduction claim is that emission figures will be reduced for exported gas, using the argument that pollution occurring outside Australia’s borders is irrelevant to the nations carbon footprint. This matches federal government policy.

It just happens that most Australian gas is earmarked for export, and that this line of reasoning covers up the true nature of the harm of gas extraction.

Furthermore, Woodside’s project in the Burrup Peninsula will cause major damage to local fauna and flora according to experts who have examined the impact effect.

Opponents of the project are not going to give up. This includes Indigenous people and Australians from all walks of life across West Australia and the re of the country. The necessity to reduce carbon emissions has not diminished because politicians fail their responsibility by pandering to corporate interests. Teir duty to humanity and the Earth is far more important.