The future of Australia's landmark environmental reforms remains uncertain after the Labor government's latest concessions failed to secure immediate support from either the Coalition or the Greens.
High-Stakes Negotiations Intensify
Environment Minister Murray Watt presented separate amendments to both major political parties on Tuesday morning, desperately seeking a deal to overhaul the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act before parliament rises for the year on Thursday night. The government continues talks with both sides and appears prepared to offer further concessions to pass the legislation.
The negotiations occur against a backdrop of significant criticism from the government's own advisory body. The Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) warned in a Senate inquiry submission that the legislation fails to achieve the right balance for meeting Australia's goal of preventing new extinctions.
Greens and Coalition Demand Different Concessions
In his pitch to the Greens, Minister Watt offered several changes addressing concerns that coal and gas projects could be fast-tracked under the revamped laws. Key concessions include restricting the new "streamline assessment" process to limit fossil fuel projects and ensuring the commonwealth minister retains approval powers for projects even under state devolution agreements.
Most significantly, coal and gas projects would be excluded from a special "national interest" exemption if the Greens support the legislation. However, the Greens remain unsatisfied, with environment spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young criticising the proposed three-year timeframe for subjecting native forest logging to national environmental standards as "three years too long."
Meanwhile, the Coalition received a different set of concessions, including a 14-day time limit on stop-work orders and clarification that maximum fines of $1.6 million for individuals and $825 million for businesses would only apply in "the most serious and egregious cases."
Critical Definitions Remain Contentious
The government's latest offer to the opposition did not include changes to the "unacceptable impact" definition, which the Coalition and industry groups claim sets too low a bar to reject projects. Shadow Environment Minister Angie Bell told the Coalition party meeting that failing to revise this definition represented a "deal-breaker" for the opposition.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley described the offered concessions as "totally insufficient" and accused Minister Watt of seeking a "political fix" rather than genuine legislative reform. Legal and scientific experts hold opposing views on the provision, with some fearing it won't adequately protect at-risk species and ecosystems.
Amanda McKenzie, Chief Executive of the Climate Council, criticised the government's approach, suggesting they were treating the long-awaited environmental reforms "like a coin toss" between political expediency and genuine environmental protection.
With parliament scheduled to rise on Thursday night, the window for securing a deal is rapidly closing, leaving Australia's much-needed environmental reforms hanging in the balance.
