Exclusive: Labor's Strategic Environmental Trade-offs Unveiled to Secure Crucial Political Alliances

Share and Follow

Labor has unveiled its final pitch to both the Greens and Coalition, as it tries to secure support for its environmental law overhaul.

The 1,500 pages of reforms are before a Senate inquiry, however, the government is dialling up the pressure to meet its self-imposed Christmas deadline.

The committee has heard from industry, business and environmental groups.

There are a variety of concerns surrounding the current proposals, ranging from efforts to expedite approval processes and the potential erosion of environmental safeguards, to the use of ministerial discretion that could potentially undermine the reforms. Additionally, there are worries that new reporting requirements might slow down project timelines.

With only two days left of the parliamentary year, Environment Minister Murray Watt is urging the parties to “get this done”.

“The act of parliament you’re talking about is 25 years old, it is hopelessly out of date and broken, it’s gotta be fixed now,” he told Sky News on Tuesday.

“We can keep talking about this for years or we can actually work together to pass these reforms this week.”

SBS News has obtained a copy of the concessions sent to the Greens and Coalition ahead of their party room meetings on Tuesday morning.

Here’s a closer look at the proposals on the table.

The Greens have been advocating for a complete halt to native logging, while the Labor party has pledged to the Greens that the native forestry sector will be required to comply with the forthcoming national environmental standards within the next three years.

The government plans to reevaluate its agreements with individual states, which could result in states receiving certain assessment or approval powers. Nevertheless, the minister will maintain the ultimate authority over decisions, regardless of whether a bilateral agreement is established.

Building on the momentum, Labor has sought to address concerns around the expansion of coal and gas by excluding them from the national interest exemption.

It will also limit the fast-tracking of fossil fuel projects as well as restrict them from new streamlined assessment pathways.

If a deal is struck with the Greens, the government will not go ahead with plans to hand over a water trigger or assessments for projects based on surface and groundwater impacts to the states.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who is actively involved in the committee reviewing the environmental protection legislation, believes that allowing three years for the native forestry industry to adapt is “too long.” Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

A woman in a floral blazer and glasses speaking in a press conference

Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young is part of the committee scrutinising the environmental protection laws, arguing three years for the native forestry industry is “too long”. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

Last month, Watt ruled out the Greens’ demands for a climate trigger, which would see projects rejected if they worsen carbon emissions or impact climate change.

The Coalition

The government tried to alleviate concerns that penalties for breaches are too high — up to $1.6 million for individuals or $825 million for businesses — by stating they would only apply in “most serious and egregious breaches”.

Controversial “stop work” orders that halt projects will only be in place for a maximum of 14 days.

The minister will have the power to set KPIs as well as sack the head of the proposed National Environment Protection Agency, addressing concerns they would have too much power.

Of the seven demands tabled by the Coalition last week, two key items are missing.

The amendments do not provide workable definitions of the unacceptable impact test for high-polluting projects that result in their refusal, or what constitutes a net gain or parameters for demonstrating how the project minimises harm or improves the environment.

The definitions, along with no attempt to address scope 1 and 2 emission reporting requirements, are expected not to fly with relevant industry stakeholders.