URGENT UPDATE: The mining sector is calling for immediate action on critical nature protection reforms as Labor’s sweeping 1,500-page bill is set to pass through the House of Representatives this Thursday. Environment Minister Murray Watt is engaged in intense negotiations with coalition members and the Greens, emphasizing the need for swift action before the year-end deadline.
Watt stated, “I make no apologies for moving with haste,” during a press conference in Canberra. The Minister urged coalition members to prioritize these reforms despite their internal divisions on net-zero policies. “The challenge for the coalition is, can they focus over the next couple of weeks?” he added, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The proposed reforms aim to overhaul the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and are viewed as pivotal for the future of Australian mining. Chief executive of the Minerals Council of Australia, Tania Constable, echoed this sentiment, stating that a balanced bill that protects the environment while facilitating essential projects would benefit both the sector and the nation. “A win for the sector is a win for Australia,” she insisted.
However, the coalition and the Greens demand compromises for the bill to secure passage before the Christmas recess. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young voiced her concerns on Sky News, stating that closing loopholes in logging exemptions is necessary for the bill’s approval. Meanwhile, Nationals MP Kevin Hogan is advocating for streamlined processes to expedite project approvals.
As negotiations continue, tensions within the coalition are escalating, especially after the Nationals recently abandoned their commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This has sparked speculation regarding the future of Liberal leader Sussan Ley, who is expected to announce a new position on net-zero goals within the next fortnight. The coalition is scheduled to convene on November 23, just before the final sitting week of the year.
The outcome of these negotiations is crucial not only for the mining sector but also for Australia’s environmental future. With a Senate inquiry set to report its findings in March, the government is racing against time to finalize the reforms. All eyes are on Canberra as the clock ticks down to a potential breakthrough in environmental policy, and the implications for businesses and the public could be significant.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.
