Labor and Coalition cut short debate on offshore gas bill labelled ‘window dressing’

Josie Alec and Raelene Cooper at the North West Shelf Project in Karratha, Western Australia. The pair are among First Nations campaigners lobbying against the OPGGS bill. Photograph: Michael Jalaru Torres/The Guardian

The Albanese government and the Coalition have voted to cut short debate on Labor’s offshore gas bill, which the crossbench and environment groups have labelled “window dressing” that fails to prevent new rules watering down First Nations consultation.

Seeking to clear the decks before Easter, the government is expected to reveal tweaks to its proposed vehicle efficiency standards this week. And on Monday Labor introduced amendments to add safeguards to the offshore gas bill after widespread concerns, including from within it own ranks.