UPDATE: The mining sector is urgently calling for a swift agreement on critical nature protection reforms as Labor’s massive 1,500-page bill is set to move through the House of Representatives this Thursday. This landmark legislation aims to overhaul the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and must pass before Christmas to be effective.
Environment Minister Murray Watt confirmed he is engaged in intensive negotiations with the coalition and the Greens, expressing no regret for the urgency of the discussions. “The challenge for the coalition is, can they focus over the next couple of weeks?” he stated during a press conference in Canberra. “We know they are incredibly divided when it comes to net zero, which is obstructing their decision-making on these reforms.”
Although a Senate inquiry regarding the bills has been scheduled, with findings expected in March, the government is pressing for a deal before the inquiry’s conclusions. Tania Constable, chief executive of the Minerals Council of Australia, urged both Labor and the coalition to finalize a deal swiftly, emphasizing that a balanced bill could significantly benefit both the environment and the mining sector. “A bill which balances protecting the environment and getting critical mineral projects off the ground urgently would be a win for the sector, and a win for Australia,” she asserted.
However, both the coalition and the Greens have indicated that compromises are essential for timely passage of the bill. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young emphasized the need for closing loopholes related to logging exemptions to facilitate a smoother approval process. Meanwhile, Nationals MP Kevin Hogan is advocating for streamlined processes to hasten project approvals.
Internal tensions within the coalition have intensified, particularly as the Nationals have abandoned their commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This shift has raised speculation about the future of Liberal leader Sussan Ley, who may face pressure to align with her party’s stance on net zero. Ley is anticipated to announce her position on net zero within the next two weeks, coinciding with a scheduled party meeting on November 23—just before the year’s last sitting week.
As negotiations continue, the urgency to finalize this significant environmental legislation is palpable, with potential ramifications for both the mining industry and Australia’s environmental policies. Stakeholders are closely monitoring developments, and the outcomes of these discussions could shape the landscape of Australia’s environmental governance for years to come.
