Labor's Strategic Nature Law Adjustments Aim to Secure Crucial Greens and Coalition Backing

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Labor has unveiled its final pitch to both the Greens and the 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 varied concerns, including the simplification of approval processes, potential weakening of environmental safeguards, and the extent of ministerial discretion possibly undermining reforms. Additionally, there are worries about reporting obligations potentially delaying projects.

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“The act of parliament you’re talking about is 25 years old, it is hopelessly out of date and broken, it’s gotta be fixed now,” he told Sky News on Tuesday.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

The Greens have advocated for a halt to native logging. In contrast, Labor assured them over the weekend that the native forestry sector would need to adhere to the upcoming national environmental standards within a three-year timeline.

The government plans to reassess bilateral agreements with states, which could grant them assessment or approval authority in certain situations. Nevertheless, the minister will still hold the final decision-making authority, irrespective of any bilateral agreements.

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, a member of the committee evaluating the environmental protection legislation, contends that a three-year period for the native forestry industry to comply is “excessively long.” Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

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

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.