Departing WA minister urges immediate approval of $30b Browse LNG project

Departing Western Australian Minister for Mines and Petroleum Bill Johnston has told an international forum that it is critical the giant Browse LNG project is given approval as soon as possible.

A keynote speaker at the Australia-China LNG event in Perth, Mr Johnston said that development of the Woodside-operated Browse project would benefit both nations.

He told those in attendance that Australia’s energy export industry to China continues to be of great importance.

Immediate action needed

Mr Johnston, who decided in November 2023 that he would step down from the WA cabinet and not contest the 2025 state election, noted in his presentation that his views were not those of the current government.

However, he highlighted his role in establishing a close relationship with the Chinese LNG sector while he was minister.

He noted that all parties involved needed to undertake immediate action to enable the $30 billion project to proceed.

A final investment decision for the massive development off the WA coast is awaiting environmental approvals from the government and a go-ahead from the Browse venture partners.

Critical to WA

Mr Johnston said that it was critical to WA that the Browse project proceed.

“We can provide another 30 years of LNG supply for China and other partners in our region,” he said.

“WA’s and China’s LNG trade can have a bright future but the time is now for the Browse joint venture to feed into the next stage of our energy partnership and for WA LNG to contribute to economic development and political stability in East Asia, including China.”

“This is the time for strong and respectful partnerships, for mutual effort.”

Domestic feedstock

Mr Johnston told the audience that Browse would be critical in providing additional feedstock for domestic gas plants and supporting the energy transition to low-carbon and renewable energy.

He said the WA economy faced a number of risks, including the potential closure of industries and job losses, if domestic gas security was not maintained.

The departing minister also called on the Browse partners to commit unequivocally to using domestic plants to support the WA gas reservation policy.