Australian Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has approved extensions for three coal mines in New South Wales, arguing the decisions comply with national environmental law and are necessary for job security and energy supply. However, this move has drawn sharp criticism from conservationists and political opponents, who label it as reckless and contradictory to the government's climate commitments, particularly its goal to reduce emissions by 43% by 2030. The Australian Conservation Foundation has stated that these projects could emit over 1.3 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases, raising concerns about their impact on climate change. Critics also highlight the irony of approving coal projects while the government recently blocked a smaller gold mine due to environmental concerns. Advocates for climate action argue that such decisions undermine the government's credibility in addressing climate issues and are at odds with global calls for no new coal and gas projects. The controversy continues as the Albanese government prepares to host a global summit on environmental issues next month.