WA Labor caves to Woodside’s demands with proposed changes to EPA

The WA Greens are deeply concerned about the Cook Government’s proposed changes to the functioning and independence of the Environmental Protection Authority.

In practice, these changes will undermine proper environmental assessment and are designed to pressure the EPA to approve new fossil fuel projects rapidly.

WA Greens MLC Dr Brad Pettitt said this legislation seriously undermines the independence of the EPA and will ultimately enable WA Labor to fast-track new gas projects. 

“This is a new low for state capture in Western Australia, a dark day for our unique and threatened natural environment and a crushing blow to anyone worried about a safe climate and future. 

“Former Premier Mark McGowan put pressure on the EPA to make decisions that favoured big gas corporations; now Premier Cook is simply legislating to make it easier for new gas and mining projects to be fast-tracked without proper environmental assessment. 

“Requiring the EPA to recognise the government’s priorities and policy objectives through a Statement of Intent and list of priority projects is unprecedented and problematic. It also seriously undermines the independence of the EPA. 

“Mark my words; these new powers will not be used to fast-track renewable energy or other clean energy projects. These changes are designed to pressure the EPA into fast-tracking the approval of new gas projects. 

“As we heard today from the Smart Energy Council, the clean energy sector are not the ones pushing for their reforms. In reality, these changes are what the gas and mining sector have demanded.  

“It is not so-called “Green tape” holding back WA becoming a renewable energy superpower – it is this state government’s failure to implement a 2030 emissions reduction target that is discouraging green investment.

“An expanded board that could see the EPA dominated with people from industry is also deeply concerning. The purpose of the EPA is to protect the environment so it follows that board members with environmental expertise should continue to be the priority.  

“Altering the public appeals process is the final insult. This process is one of the very few mechanisms by which the WA public can have their say on the environmental assessment of potentially damaging projects. 

“This WA Labor government is utterly captured by the fossil fuel industry and intent on destroying not only the independence of the Environmental Protection Authority, but any chance we have on limiting global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius in line with the Paris Agreement. Shame.” 

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