Woodside North West Shelf gas project could break international law, Vanuatu says

Honiara | The Vanuatu government says Australia will break international law if it approves Woodside’s huge North West Shelf gas project.

The Albanese government is poised to make a final approval decision on the future of the project as soon as Friday, after informing parties to a related court battle that a decision is imminent.

The government and Woodside have been locked in negotiations for almost four months over new environmental conditions underpinning the company’s bid to extend the life of the facility until 2070, after Environment Minister Murray Watt granted provisional approval.

Sources familiar with the discussions – speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks – said Watt’s office had alerted interested parties that a final decision could c