Concerns are rising about Western Australia's environmental policies, with some critics arguing that the state government is relaxing regulations and prioritizing fossil fuel projects over climate change mitigation. According to reports, the WA Labor government has indefinitely deferred its flagship climate legislation and announced changes to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) that fast-track project approvals and give the government more control.
The move has sparked concern among environmental groups and some lawmakers, who argue that it undermines decades of consensus on the state's role in mitigating the climate impacts of big-emitting projects. The WA government maintains that the changes are necessary to streamline processes and support economic growth.