Federal Western Australian Labor MP Josh Wilson has become the first Labor member based in WA to express strong opposition to fracking in the Kimberley in a leaked letter. The letter, sent to a constituent, highlights a growing internal divide within Labor over the only region of Western Australia not covered by a moratorium on the practice.
In the letter, Wilson wrote that he shares the community’s sharp concern about the significant risks of fracking in general, particularly its potential impact on the Martuwarra/Fitzroy River. He noted that the WA Labor State Conference in November 2025 passed a resolution calling for the moratorium to be extended to the Kimberley, a position he said he strongly supports. Wilson wrote that the current proposal is limited to exploration and appraisal activities only, but said an exploration approval could lead to a fracking operation.
The Kimberley is the only part of WA not covered by the moratorium on fracking. A state government moratorium covers 98 per cent of Western Australia.
Premier Roger Cook said AEMO projects a gas shortfall in the early 2030s and that WA could be forced to start fracking the Kimberley if Woodside’s Browse gas project off the north-west coast is not developed. “If not Browse, then does something else make up that shortfall?” he asked during budget estimates in May.
The WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) green-lit Black Mountain Energy’s Valhalla proposal, which includes plans to drill and frack up to 20 exploration wells. The decision sparked more than 8,000 appeals, which are now under review.
Lock the Gate WA coordinator Simone van Hattem said the EPA decision had sparked one of the biggest grassroots campaigns in Australia. “Fracking in the Kimberley poses huge environmental risks ... that's why fracking is already banned in huge parts of WA,” she said. “The widespread community opposition to fracking in the Kimberley is becoming impossible for Labor to ignore.”
Van Hattem also claimed more than half a dozen Labor MPs have told the group they are pushing for a ban internally. "Given how rarely Labor breaks ranks, [Wilson's comment] speaks volumes," she said.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The outcome of the Kimberley fracking debate could set a precedent for resource extraction in ecologically sensitive and culturally significant areas across Australia.
- The internal Labor rift exposes a policy tension between environmental commitments and energy security concerns, with implications for the party's electoral prospects.
- The decision could affect the long-term health of the Martuwarra/Fitzroy River and the rights of Traditional Owners.
Background
The Kimberley region is the only part of Western Australia not covered by a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing. Black Mountain Energy's Valhalla gas project proposes drilling and fracking up to 20 exploration wells near the Fitzroy River. The WA Environmental Protection Authority approved the project, sparking more than 8,000 appeals. The state government is facing pressure from both environmental campaigners and industry, with Premier Cook warning of a potential gas shortfall in the early 2030s if the Browse gas project is not developed.
Key Perspectives
Josh Wilson (Federal MP for Fremantle): Says he is particularly concerned about fracking in the Kimberley and supports extending the moratorium to protect the Martuwarra/Fitzroy River.
Roger Cook (WA Premier): Has signalled that fracking in the Kimberley may be necessary to meet energy needs if the Browse gas project is not developed.
Simone van Hattem (Lock the Gate WA coordinator): Argues that fracking in the Kimberley poses huge environmental risks and that community opposition is forcing Labor to reconsider.
What to Watch
- The outcome of the 8,000-plus appeals against the EPA's approval of the Valhalla project.
- Whether more Labor MPs publicly break ranks on the issue.
- The progress of Woodside's Browse gas project, which could affect the need for onshore fracking.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe leaked letter reveals a Labor rift over Kimberley fracking.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “A leaked letter from a federal West Australian Labor MP has highlighted the schism growing between the party’s members”
- SupportedJosh Wilson is the first Labor MP based in WA to express strong opposition to Kimberley fracking.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “He is the first WA-based Labor MP, either federal or state, to express strong opposition to fracking in the Kimberley.”
- SupportedWilson’s letter highlights a growing internal divide over the only WA region not covered by a fracking moratorium.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “A leaked letter from a federal West Australian Labor MP has highlighted the schism growing between the party’s members over the small portion of the state that remains open to oil and gas companies interested in fracking.”
- SupportedWilson said he shares the community’s concern about fracking risks, particularly its potential impact on the Martuwarra/Fitzroy River.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““I share the sharp concern of many in our community when it comes to the significant risks that come with fracking in general,” Wilson wrote in his email to the constituent. “I am particularly concerned about fracking in the Kimberley, with the potential to impact on the Martuwarra/Fitzroy River.””
- SupportedWilson said the WA Labor State Conference passed a resolution in November 2025 calling for the moratorium to extend to the Kimberley, and that he strongly supports the position.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “He also noted the WA Labor State Conference, held in November 2025, had passed a resolution calling for the moratorium to be extended to the Kimberley – and said he strongly supported that position.”
- SupportedThe moratorium covers 98 per cent of WA, leaving the Kimberley uncovered.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““It is welcome that the WA government has established a moratorium that prevents fracking in 98 per cent of Western Australia – but clearly the Kimberley is the missing piece””
- SupportedCook said WA could be forced to start fracking the Kimberley if Browse is not developed, and cited a projected gas shortfall in the early 2030s.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Back in May, Premier Roger Cook told the Australian Financial Review that WA could be forced to start fracking the Kimberley if Woodside’s Browse gas project off the north-west coast was not developed – a stance he doubled down on in budget estimates that same day. “Our [Australian Energy Market Operator] projects a gas shortfall in the early 2030s””
- SupportedCook asked, “If not Browse, then does something else make up that shortfall?” during budget estimates.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““If not Browse, then does something else make up that shortfall?””
- SupportedThe EPA approved Black Mountain Energy’s Valhalla proposal, which includes plans to drill and frack up to 20 exploration wells.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “concerns about Black Mountain Energy’s Valhalla gas project proposal in the Kimberley, which includes plans to drill and frack up to 20 exploration wells.”
- SupportedMore than 8,000 appeals against the EPA decision are under review.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “WA’s environmental watchdog also green-lit Valhalla’s proposal, sparking more than 8000 appeals which are now under review.”
- SupportedVan Hattem said the EPA decision had sparked one of Australia’s biggest grassroots campaigns and said fracking poses environmental risks and is already banned in large parts of WA.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Lock the Gate WA coordinator Simone van Hattem said that decision from the Environmental Protection Authority had sparked one of the biggest grassroots campaigns in Australia. “Fracking in the Kimberley poses huge environmental risks ... that’s why fracking is already banned in huge parts of WA,” she said.”
- SupportedVan Hattem said more than half a dozen Labor MPs told the group they were pushing internally for a ban, and said Wilson’s comment “speaks volumes.”Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Van Hattem said while Wilson was the first Labor MP to formally put their opposition in writing, she claimed more than half a dozen MPs had told them they were also pushing for the ban internally. “Given how rarely Labor breaks ranks, [Wilson’s comment] speaks volumes,” she said.”