WA Labor government accused of shelving climate laws as emissions continue to rise

The Western Australian premier, Roger Cook, has previously suggested the state may allow its emissions to continue to rise as its gas was leading to a ‘dramatic reduction in global emissions’ by displacing coal-fired power overseas. Photograph: Richard Wainwright/EPA

The Western Australian Labor government has been accused of shelving plans to introduce climate change laws before a state election next March after it left the bill off a list of legislation it hopes to pass.

The absence of the climate bill – from the list of 14 legislative priorities circulated with the Liberal party and crossbench MPs – reignited claims that WA Labor is in thrall to the gas industry and failing to address the climate crisis.