Australia news live: conservation group lashes Coalition promise to expand Woodside gas project as PM dismisses it as ‘another thought bubble’
Albanese says Coalition promise on North West Shelf decision ‘another thought bubble’
Back at Anthony Albanese’s press conference, he has taken a question about the Coalition’s promise to fast-track a decision on Woodside’s North West Shelf if it wins the election.
The prime minister said the state government had the project “for a long period of time” but it has been with the federal government “just for a matter of weeks”.
We’ll go through that process in accordance with the law. Do we support the gas sector? Yes, but subject, of course, to environmental approvals.
Albanese said this was another “thought bubble” – but really “like a soap bubble, because it lasts about as long as a bit of a soap bubble that that comes up from a bubble bath or something, it just disappears into the ether”.
Within hours, they just come up with these things. Then they walk away from them, whether it’s referendums, whether it be zonal taxation rates, whether it be the other statements that Peter Dutton makes …
Key events
Albanese says Australia-Canada relations ‘very separate’ to Canada-US relations
On Canada’s deal with Australia to develop an Arctic radar system, as we reported earlier, the prime minister was asked whether this is an example of how countries can diversify their defence supply chain to be less reliant on the US?
Anthony Albanese said it was an “excellent” one on one call last night, and provided a “good opportunity for us to get to know each other personally”:
Canada, of course, has an excellent relationship with Australia, and one of the things that the prime minister confirmed is that he is looking at what we have, which is our … radar network technology … We want to export wherever possible, and this will be a significant export if this deal is finalised.
The PM went into more detail about the call:
Last night we talked about … other areas as well, of potential cooperation … Obviously, there are issues taking place – particularly between Canada and the United States – that I wouldn’t have expected to have been happening in my lifetime, but we have a very separate relationship with Canada, and it’s a very good one.
PM on Coalition intention to add antisemitism question to citizenship test
Asked if he would support the Coalition’s intention to add an “antisemitism” question to the citizenship test (see earlier post), Anthony Albanese responded:
It’s another soap bubble. We’ll see if it lasts until, you know, a couple of hours away. Yesterday’s didn’t make it to lunchtime, so we’ll wait and see what happens.
The Coalition have run a campaign complaining that too many Australians were making the citizenship pledge, who’d been in the queue, some of them for years, in order to become Australian citizens.
PM lashes Coalition’s lack of economic policy and intention to cut public sector jobs
Anthony Albanese continued to lash the opposition and argued it needed to “start getting serious about policy”:
He took aim at the shadow treasurer, Angus Taylor, saying he had been on a tour this week before the budget but has “no economic policy”:
He put out a range of things when asked that weren’t actually economic policy, and no one has any idea what they stand for, except for $600bn on nuclear power plants.
On the Coalition’s intention to cut public sector jobs, Albanese said:
$350bn they say, is wasteful expenditure … The National Emergency Management Agency did not exist before we came to government. They are under the gun.
These public servants aren’t in Canberra. They’re in Hervey Bay, in a car park, helping people. And Peter Dutton regards them as being waste.
Albanese says Coalition promise on North West Shelf decision ‘another thought bubble’
Back at Anthony Albanese’s press conference, he has taken a question about the Coalition’s promise to fast-track a decision on Woodside’s North West Shelf if it wins the election.
The prime minister said the state government had the project “for a long period of time” but it has been with the federal government “just for a matter of weeks”.
We’ll go through that process in accordance with the law. Do we support the gas sector? Yes, but subject, of course, to environmental approvals.
Albanese said this was another “thought bubble” – but really “like a soap bubble, because it lasts about as long as a bit of a soap bubble that that comes up from a bubble bath or something, it just disappears into the ether”.
Within hours, they just come up with these things. Then they walk away from them, whether it’s referendums, whether it be zonal taxation rates, whether it be the other statements that Peter Dutton makes …
Coalition promising to fast-track decision on Woodside’s North West Shelf
Dan Jervis-Bardy
As we just flagged, the Coalition is promising to fast-track a decision on Woodside’s North West Shelf gas extension if it wins the upcoming federal election.
The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, has vowed a Coalition government would make a ruling on Woodside’s application within 30 days under a new “national interest” test that forces decision-makers to give more weight to a project’s social and economic benefits as part of the environmental assessment.
Woodside wants to extend the life of its massive gas processing plant on the Burrup Peninsula in the state’s remote north-west out to 2070.
Scientists and conservation groups have described the project as a “climate bomb”, with one estimate suggesting the total emissions from Burrup Hub could reach 6bn tonnes once the gas was exported and burned overseas.
The environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, last month deferred a ruling on the application until 31 March, avoiding a decision ahead of the WA state election.
If the federal election is called before the revised deadline, a decision on the project could not be made until after the poll.
In a statement, Dutton said it was “of national importance” that the project not be delayed any further.
We would expedite consideration of the North West Shelf project as a matter of urgency because, unlike Labor, we recognise the significance of the North West Shelf to the WA economy and the importance of secure and reliable gas supplies in pushing down energy prices.
The Albanese Labor Government has been the most anti-resources, anti-mining, anti-WA federal government in living memory.
In a separate move to stop “activists” blocking projects, a Coalition government would legislate a “statute of limitations” to prevent third-parties from challenging approvals that were issued more than 12 months earlier.
Dutton and the shadow environment minister, Jonno Duniam, will make the announcements on Wednesday in WA, a state in which Coalition is desperate to regain ground after losing five seats at the 2022 election.
PM giving press conference on cyclone disaster relief payments
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is giving a press conference about the disaster relief payments being given in the aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
As of last night, there’s been $80m paid in disaster relief payments. That’s making a difference, whether it be the $1,000 payments or $400 for children, or whether it be the more complex, 13-week payment that can come for people who are unable to continue to work.
Australian Conservation Foundation lashes Coalition plan to extend Woodside’s NW shelf until 2070
The Australian Conservation Foundation has accused the Coalition of “confusing the national interest with the commercial interests of a big fossil fuel company”, after reports emerged it would extend Woodside’s North West Shelf gas plant until 2070 if elected.
The ABC and Australian newspaper reported overnight the Coalition would approve the extension within 30 days of the election, and would limit the ability of protest groups to challenge approval decision.
In a statement, the ACF’s national nature policy adviser Brendan Sydes said:
If it gets the green light, Woodside’s North West Shelf expansion would emit billions of tonnes of carbon pollution to 2070, drive demand to open new gas fields and continue the deterioration of ancient First Nations rock art at Murujuga, which is being eaten away at by acid emissions from the neighbouring facility Woodside hopes to extend.
The proposal to limit the rights of Australians to challenge approval decisions would be a win for the gas lobby and a loss for the community.
Bandt calls for sanctions on Netanyahu amid latest deadly airstrikes on Gaza
The Greens leader, Adam Bandt, says Australia needs to move “from words to action” in its response to the latest airstrikes in Gaza, and put pressure on the Israeli government.
In a post to X, he wrote that civilians “cannot be asked to pay the price again” of the hostages being released:
Netanyahu’s decision to resume airstrikes on Gaza is horrific. More than 400 people have been killed already. Australia needs to move from words to action, and put pressure on Netanyahu’s extremist government to stop the genocide.
The Greens have always called for all hostages to be released unconditionally, but civilians cannot be asked to pay the price again. Our government should be sanctioning Netanyahu and his extremist government, ending the two-way arms trade, and recognising Palestine.
Israel has faced multiple accusations that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide, including most recently from the UN:
Benita Kolovos
Allan reiterates that allegations of conspiracy to remove police commissioner and deputy are ‘baseless’
Jacinta Allan also held a press conference in Brunswick East this morning, where she faced questions over the report. She reiterated the allegations were “baseless” and said:
I’ve seen these reports, and I want to be really clear, these reports are completely untrue. These allegations, they’re baseless, completely untrue. It is really disappointing that there are some people who are choosing to politicise Ibac, politicise an integrity agency by making these absolutely baseless allegations.
Benita Kolovos
Nugent says allegations ‘completely untrue’
Continuing from our last post: Rick Nugent also released a statement rubbishing the allegations as “completely untrue”.
There was absolutely no discussion between myself and government about me stepping into the Acting Chief Commissioner role prior to the weekend of 15-16 February.
This was after the vote of no confidence result on 14 February.
There was no condition Deputy Commissioner Paterson be removed for me to return to Victoria Police.
I look forward to assisting Ibac and the Ombudsman to resolve this matter.
Allan denies reports police commissioner and deputy removed due to conspiracy
Benita Kolovos
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, has issued a short statement hitting back at a report in the Herald Sun, which alleged the police commissioner and deputy commissioner were removed from their roles last month due to a conspiracy.
According to the report in the Herald Sun, the former Victoria police deputy commissioner Neil Paterson filed a complaint with the state’s anti-corruption watchdog alleging “corruption and misconduct in public office” by Allan and another minister.
He alleges the Allan government approached the then emergency management commissioner Rick Nugent to replace the police commissioner, Shane Patton, weeks before a vote of no confidence in him by 87% of police members.
Patton resigned in the days after the vote, with Allan at the time saying the result was “overwhelming” and could not be ignored. Paterson’s contract was not renewed days later.
Paterson alleges the government “conspired” to remove both Patton and himself due to their “frank and fearless advice”.
Guardian Australia has approached the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission for comment.
In her statement, Allan said the allegations were “completely untrue”:
I am disappointed that people are seeking to politicise Ibac and the important work they do by making these baseless allegations. My focus is always on supporting the hardworking men and women of Victoria police, and passing our tough new bail laws this week.
Advocacy group calls for seniors dental benefit scheme
Sixteen thousand Australians over the age of 65 were admitted to hospital for the urgent treatment of painful dental issues in 2022-23, according to new data from the Australian Dental Association.
The ADA expects that figure to increase by 42% to 22,630, by 2027-28.
Patricia Sparrow, the chief executive officer of older people advocacy group COTA Australia, said the statistics should be a wake-up call and prove the need for a seniors dental benefit scheme.
Every day our governments delay action on providing affordable dental care for those who need it most, more and more older people are falling ill and being forced into our hospital system unnecessarily. That’s not good for anyone.
Sparrow said the risks of poor oral health increase as people age – not only “embarrassment and social isolation, but also increased risk of diabetes, heart disease and even chromic malnutrition in older people”:
It’s particularly difficult for more vulnerable older people and those living in rural and remote areas of the country.
Motorists urged to stay off roads in north-east Queensland amid heavy rain
Heavy rainfall will continue across north-east Queensland this morning.
According to the Queensland Fire Department, Fire and Rescue’s swiftwater crews have already been called to multiple vehicles in flood water. It wrote on X:
If you need to be on the roads today, please stay safe and do not enter floodwater. If it’s flooded, forget it.
Canada PM announces $6.6bn Arctic radar deal with Australia
The Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, has announced a C$6bn deal with Australia to develop an Arctic radar system.
As AFP reports, Carney made the announcement on the final leg of his first official trip as prime minister since taking over from Justin Trudeau last week.
Carney – who has previously described the US under Donald Trump as a country Canada “can no longer trust” – characterised the radar deal as part of a broader effort to assert Canadian sovereignty over the Arctic.
The world is changing. International institutions and norms that have kept Canada secure are now being called into question. And the United States’ priorities, our ally, once closely aligned with our own, are beginning to shift. We cannot and should not look first to others to defend our nation.
Australia is a leader in “over-the-horizon” radar, an advanced system that allows for continuous threat-tracking over a vast area. Carney’s office said in a statement announcing the deal:
The radar system’s long-range surveillance and threat tracking capabilities will detect and deter threats across the north.
Victorian energy minister denies suggestions of talks to extend Yallourn coal power plant
Benita Kolovos
Victoria’s energy minister, Lily D’Ambrosio, has denied claims in a report in The Australian that suggests the state government asked the operator of the Yallourn coal power plant to extend operations beyond its mid-2028 closure date.
The report, published last night, suggested there was a discussion between EnergyAustralia, the Victorian Department of Energy Environment and Climate Action (Deeca) and the Australian Energy Market Operator (Aemo) amid “fears of devastating electricity shortages”.
But in a statement, D’Ambrosio said Deeca, Aemo and EnergyAustralia had all confirmed that the claims are wrong:
The three agencies also confirm that no such discussions have occurred and nor have there been ‘rolling talks’. Aemo has not advised the Victorian government that Yallourn would need to be extended beyond 2028, as claimed in The Australian. Before publication, EnergyAustralia confirmed to The Australian that the plant would close in 2028.
She said the Australian did not contact the Victorian government for comment prior to publication.
In 2021, EnergyAustralia announced it would close the station in 2028 – four years earlier than planned – and built a battery at a nearby gas-fired plant to compensate for the loss.
Yallourn produces about a fifth of Victoria’s electricity and is the state’s oldest power station.
Marles asked about diplomatic approach to Israel after latest deadly strikes on Gaza
Back on Gaza, Richard Marles was asked if there would be any diplomatic approach to Israel about ending or pausing the fighting. He responded:
We’ve consistently used our voice, bilaterally in respect of Israel, but internationally as well, around supporting a ceasefire – about supporting humanitarian efforts for those in Gaza. But also, importantly, seeing the return of the hostages to Israel.
The steps that Hamas took back on October 7 in 2023 were utterly unacceptable. They were an act of terror. It was completely reprehensible and we’ve stood in condemnation of Hamas and we continue to do that.
We need to see the return of hostages to Israel. We need to see humanitarian assistance flowing to the people of Gaza. And we need to see an end to this conflict.
Marles says Putin needs to be held to account for being ‘aggressor’
Richard Marles was also up on ABC News Breakfast this morning, and was asked if Vladimir Putin could actually be trusted to stand by any ceasefire proposal.
The deputy PM said: “At the end of the day, [Putin is] the reason why this conflict started in the first place”:
He is the aggressor here. He is the one who has completely flouted the global rules-based order by the invasion of Ukraine in the first place. So it’s very important that whatever is put in place absolutely holds Vladimir Putin to account.
Australia will continue pushing US for tariff exemption, Marles says
Richard Marles was also asked if the trade minister, Don Farrell, had been able to make a deal with Trump, to secure an exemption for Australia from tariffs on aluminium and steel.
The deputy PM said the United States is doing “what they said they were going to do … as far back as the lead-up to the last US election”:
What matters here is that we are doing everything we can to be arguing for Australian trade, and we’ll continue to do that.
Is it going to work? Marles responded: “Let’s see what happens.”
Last time it took the better part of nine months before there were any exemptions provided to Australia. We will continue to make the argument to the United States about the importance of trade.
Marles says Australia will ‘exercise its voice’ to see ceasefire maintained in Middle East
Moving to Gaza, Richard Marles said the ceasefire breakdown is “very disappointing” and Australia wanted to “see the entire terms of the ceasefire fulfilled”.
And to be clear, that does mean the return of hostages to Israel. That was part of the terms of the ceasefire …
I think for all of us, there has been so much death in the Middle East over such a long period of time. Now, we don’t want to see this continue and we’ll be exercising our voice to see that a ceasefire is maintained.
