Scott Morrison’s rejection of Pep11 branded ‘cynical’ as government pushes on with other gas projects

Observers say decision was about protecting the Coalition vote in vulnerable seats, not the environment

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The federal government's decision to end a plan to drill for gas off the New South Wales coast has been labelled a cynical political move ahead of the next election.

Scott Morrison made the announcement at the Terrigal surf life saving club on Thursday, telling reporters he had overridden resources minister Keith Pitt to kill the petroleum exploration project, known as Pep11.