Labor warns it is ‘now or never’ on environmental laws that have WA industry on edge

Labor is hedging its bets, offering amendments to appease either the Coalition or the Greens as Murray Watt desperately tries to secure support for contentious environmental law reforms during Parliament’s last sitting week.

The Environment Minister has repeatedly said he’s willing to negotiate with either, and remains determined to put his re-write of the environment protection legislation to a vote this week.

“(These laws) are years overdue, are fundamentally broken and urgently need reform,” he said, on Sunday.

“Every day we delay passing these reforms is another day that we see our environment go backwards and that we see important projects like housing and renewables held up by endless red tape.

“So really, the message to both the Coalition and the Greens is that it is now or never.”

A potential deal with the Coalition could be to limit the duration of stop work orders and require more evidence to justify them.

But industry sources remain concerned about the detail.

Business Council of Australia chief executive Bran Black said “unchecked” stop work powers would only deter investment, and wants other fine print clarified.

“Without a clear definition of ‘unacceptable impacts’, we risk projects falling over, ongoing litigation, inconsistent decision-making and unjustified project knockbacks,” he said.

The Minerals Council of Australia says a bi-partisan approach between the major parties is the best chance of a “sensible compromise”, to stop critical projects in WA being stalled.

“Several fundamental changes must be made based on the principles of clarity, certainty and accountability,” Minerals Council chief executive Tania Constable said.

“As well as removing duplication and accrediting the states and territories to assess and approve projects, to ensure the Bill is workable, balanced and effective.”

Alternatively, amendments are being drafted to meet the Greens’ key demands, to exclude fossil fuel projects from national interest approval and to apply new national standards to regional forestry agreements.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young insisted the current draft falls far too short of what’s needed, but described the latest concession as a “good sign” that the Government is listening.

“The existing law is riddled with holes, loopholes and get out clauses,” she told ABC Insiders.

“What the Government’s put on the table doesn’t close any of those, puts more in, and allows coal and gas to be fast tracked.

“We want to make sure there’s a package that protects nature and puts that protection front and centre. What the government has tabled so far doesn’t do that. They do need to work with us to try and fix it and improve it. I’m up for that. But also Labor have to pick a side here.”

Senator Watt confirmed concessions have been offered, but warned the Greens must be “reasonable” with their demands.

“We’re not prepared to give away everything in this bill,” he said.

“We are prepared to make some changes, as long as they deliver to both the environment and to business.

“I’ve made very clear to the Greens that we won’t be ending native forestry altogether, and we won’t be ending regional forestry agreements, but we are prepared to adopt that recommendation from Graham Samuel, which would see the National Environment standards applied.”

Roger Cook is backing Senator Watt’s version of legislation, after being credited with killing off Tanya Plibersek’s Nature Positive reforms over fears of the impact on WA industry.

On Sunday, he backed Murray Watt to get a deal done.

“The reports from the industry is that they’re pleased with the reception they’re getting from Murray in relation to any concerns they have,” the Premier said.

“We think it’s important that we continue to grow industry while at the same time protecting our great environment. We can do that, and we know that the Senate can do this.

“It’s a matter of people bringing the right attitude, making the right compromises, and we want to make sure this legislation gets through by the end of the year.”