PM criticised over walking back from environment pledge

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PM criticised over walking back from environment pledge

The Albanese government has been accused of gutting Australia’s new environmental watchdog to get it across the line before the election.

Legislation to establish Environment Protection Australia is currently before the Senate.

Voters have long been told the independent umpire for nature – rather than the environment minister – will have primary responsibility for deciding if developments proceed or not.

But the prime minister now says he’s willing to scrap those decision-making powers amid talks with the Coalition to get the bill through parliament.

Conservation groups are horrified, having praised those powers as a way to remove the risk of political interference from nature protection.

“We’re prepared to talk and engage to make sure that we get it right, and we want to get it right with industry as well,” Mr Albanese has told The West ***********.

“One of the things that we’re considering is whether the new EPA would be compliance-only, that is, (it) would examine compliance with the act, the EPBC Act.”

WWF-Australia says any such change will leave Australia with a weak watchdog at a time of unprecedented environmental decline.

“It’s heartbreaking to hear the government talk about gutting the EPA that has been at the heart of its reforms,” says Quinton Clements, the group’s head of policy.

“Without this, the government will have ******* to put in place meaningful reform and will have missed a once-in-a-decade chance to reverse our extinction crisis.”

The *********** Conservation Foundation says the government should be working with Senate crossbenchers to ensure the nation doesn’t end up with a dud.

“A strong, independent and well-resourced regulator is critical for Australia to move beyond the situation where vested interests influence decision making, undermining nature protection,” says nature policy adviser Brendan Sydes.

“The government should listen to those who are calling for the environment protection agency to be strengthened, rather than the mining industry, which wants the body weakened and watered down.”

Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek says the changes are about achieving a situation that’s good for business, as well as nature.

“From the beginning, I have said that delivering improvements to national environment laws would require a bit of common sense, cooperation, and compromise,” she said in a statement on Monday.

“There is something in this for everyone – the whole idea is to have a system that is both better for nature, and for business. Sensible, lasting reform will give industry the stability it’s looking for, and nature the protection it needs.”

She said talks were ongoing including with the Coalition, the Greens and other crossbenchers.

“And as usual we’re happy to consider sensible amendments,” the minister said.

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