In response to Woodside’s new report touting the supposed economic benefits of its proposed Browse gas project, which is still being assessed for its environmental impact, the Australian Conservation Foundation’s CEO Adam Bandt said:
“Economically and environmentally, Woodside’s Browse proposal is a disaster that should be stopped in its tracks.
“This is big gas greed, and people and nature will pay the price.
“Exported coal and gas comes back to Australia as heatwaves, bushfires, floods and coral bleaching. There can be no new coal or gas mines if we’re to stop the climate crisis.
“The gas industry makes big profits selling Australia’s gas overseas, then pays hardly any gas tax and leaves the rest of us to pick up the tab.”
Research released in November 2025 by the Institute for Energy Economics and Finance found Browse gas would likely be four times more expensive than existing domestic gas.
Woodside plans to drill right near the environmentally sensitive Scott Reef, which is critical habitat for endangered marine animals like the pygmy blue whale and green turtle.
In February, ACF wrote to Environment Minister Murray Watt with a ‘reconsideration request’ citing substantial new scientific information about the damage that will be caused if Woodside exploits the Browse gas.
“There is an urgent need for Australia to get off dirty coal and gas and become energy independent by investing in renewables built in the right places,” Mr Bandt said.
“The best way for Australia to have energy independence and for people to save money is by making energy from the sun and the wind.
“We would like to see gas exporters made to pay a 25% tax on their exports of Australian gas, which would raise billions of dollars every year to fund real cost-of-living relief.”
Woodside plans to pipe the gas from Browse to the controversial North West Shelf gas hub for processing.
Scott Reef photo by Nush Freedman, courtesy Conservation Council WA