Burke holds off on gas hub decision

Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke has denied he is delaying a decision on Woodside’s controversial James Price Point gas hub until after the State election.

But in the wake of Shell last week flagging preference for a floating platform in the Browse Basin, Mr Burke said processing the gas offshore would also pose fewer environmental hurdles than a gas hub on land.

The time taken for Mr Burke to decide whether to approve the project has prompted questions whether the minister is holding off making a decision to prevent a backlash against State Labor in the run-up to the March 9 poll.