Woodside grips government policy

June 4, 2025

Murray Watt’s rapid, if preliminary, North West Shelf decision has apparently prioritised the short-term profits of global gas giants, and the jobs of 330 local employees, over securing the survival of rock art which has survived 60,000 years before Woodside’s arrival, and which was under active consideration for World Heritage listing.

It also overrides the threats posed to climate, and to future generations, by the methane that this project will emit. These, both detrimental to the national interest, suggest undue influence on government decision-making from Woodside.

The 1980s entrepreneur, John Spalvins, had a plaque saying “If you’ve got them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow”. Woodside have apparently secured the hearts and minds of both the federal and West Australian Governments through their lobbying and other influential means.

Waterford argues that it will be in the national interest for Woodside’s relationship with government to be examined by a Royal Commission to throw light on whether and how this undue influence has come about, and what it has delivered. Woodside’s interests do not match those of the nation.

Such a commission would be enlightening, but Woodside’s squirrel grip on both WA and federal policy-making render it unlikely to be called.