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Australia has a new environment minister – and he has a big job ahead of him: fixing the country’s broken environment laws.

Murray Watt has replaced Tanya Plibersek, whose efforts at reform were famously thwarted by the prime minister.

But before Watt can begin that task, he faces another critical decision: whether to let Woodside Energy extend its North West Shelf gas project to 2070 – opening new gas fields and unleashing a “carbon bomb” worth roughly 10 times Australia’s current annual emissions.

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe, on Murray Watt, his plans for the environment and the decision that could define his tenure.

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

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Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.

Photo: AAP Image / Darren England

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The ‘carbon bomb’ awaiting Australia‘s new environment minister

7am

The ‘carbon bomb’ awaiting Australia‘s new environment minister