Murray Watt vows to bring similar live-export ban tough approach to decision on North West Shelf gas project

Environment Minister Murray Watt has vowed to make a “significant” call on WA’s North West Shelf gas project within two weeks, even though he has not yet received a formal recommendation from his department.

Despite being freshly minted into the portfolio after Tanya Plibersek was dumped in a Cabinet reshuffle last week, Mr Watt has maintained he will decide the project’s fate by the May 31 deadline.

However, Mr Watt on Sunday said the department was still “finalising the paperwork” on a formal recommendation — despite the decision on extension already being delayed twice.

“They’re still finalising the paperwork for that. I’ve certainly had some preliminary briefings from my department about this particular project and the approval that needs to be made,” he told Sky News.

“I’ll be expecting formal briefings from the department in coming days.I haven’t made any decision at this point in time.

“It is my intention to make that decision by May 31 which is the current deadline. I do want to make that decision within the current time frame.”

Mr Watt will meet Premier Roger Cook and his State counterpart Matthew Swinbourn in Perth on Tuesday after the WA Labor leader wrote to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urging his Federal colleague to make a swift decision.

As well as consulting with environmental and business groups during his trip west, Mr Watt also plans to meet resource sector representatives on the sideline of a mining summit expected to be held in Perth on Wednesday.

While the Federal Government has stalled its verdict, the WA Government has already approved the 50-year extension after a six-year assessment.

Asked if he had been brought in as a “fixer” figure for the Albanese Government after previous controversies in the portfolio, Mr Watt backed his track record.

He vowed to bring the same “approach” to “get the job done” that he brought to implementing a ban to live sheep exports while the Agricultural Minister.

“I think my record does show that I’m someone who can bring different groups together and make decisive decisions and then get matters passed through the Senate,” he said.

“I did that in my agriculture role when it came to live sheep exports — which was a very controversial issue — but we got the job done there. I’ve done that when it comes to the CFMEU administration.

“And that’s the sort of approach I’ll be taking here, as well.”

Mr Watt has also signalled plans to reignite the stalled “nature positive” reform debate, declaring stakeholders from both sides agree the federal environmental laws need an overhaul.

He has already met with key environmental groups and is expected to hold talks with the mining industry this week, saying there’s “goodwill” in consultation from both sides on making changes.

Mr Watt said the party’s win in Braddon in Tasmania after their move to protect salmon fishing industry jobs has given Labor a “strong endorsement” that their “balanced” approach in the environmental portfolio washed well with the public.

“I think that there is a strong endorsement of Labor’s approach when it comes to managing the environment. We can protect jobs and the environment,” he said.

“I guess the seat results demonstrate that Australians, pretty much in all states, supported the agenda of the Albanese government.”