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As It Happened: WA News on Friday, May 23

On May 23, 2025, Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper launched legal proceedings in Federal Court, Sydney, against Environment Minister Murray Watt regarding Murujuga rock art protection.
The action seeks to compel Watt to decide on Cooper's 2022 Aboriginal heritage application, originally submitted to former minister Tanya Plibersek and now pending with Watt.
Cooper's application seeks urgent safeguards for the Murujuga rock art against risks linked to Woodside’s plan to prolong operations on the North West Shelf project from 2030 until 2070.
Research shows emissions from this extension would equal 33 years of Australia's total emissions, with Cooper stating approving it before addressing her application would show 'utter disrespect'.
Cooper's legal challenge creates a potential obstacle to Watt's expected May 31 decision on Woodside's project, highlighting ongoing tensions between cultural heritage protection and industrial development.

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The Canberra Times

+3 Reposted by 3 other sources

Lean Left

New challenge to Woodside's North West Shelf extension

A bid to protect sacred rock art has created a potential hurdle to Environment Minister Murray Watt's efforts...

1 day ago·Canberra, Australia

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ABC Australia

Lean Left

Possible Burrup gas extension and the rock art that might be at risk - ABC listen

May 31 is the due date for a Federal Government decision on granting another 40 years to Woodside's controversial Northwest Shelf gas operations on the Burrup Peninsular in WA. Critics say over 1 million pieces of world-famous rock art could be damaged. Guest: Marian Wilkinson, celebrated investigative journalist, writing a Quarterly Essay on Woodside and its Kimberley operations. Producer: Ann Arnold

2 days ago·Australia

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Sydney Morning Herald

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The Age

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Green groups fail in bid to delay federal call on Woodside proposal

The deadline for a decision on the North West Shelf extension was delayed from March 31 until May 31 as a result of a “reconsideration request” from the Conservation Council of WA and Greenpeace.

2 days ago·Sydney, Australia

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Australian Financial Review

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Labor says Woodside not blameless for six-year North West Shelf delay

Resources Minister Madeleine King suggested the company had changed its proposals, adding to the “mind-boggling” time it has taken to approve the LNG project.

3 days ago·Sydney, Australia

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