Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has announced the Coalition will support the government's proposed environmental law reforms, but only if Labor agrees to implement seven crucial amendments to the legislation.
Coalition Sets Conditions for Support
In a significant development for environmental policy, Ms Ley stated that the Coalition is seeking sensible amendments to the government's proposed overhaul of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. The 25-year-old environmental legislation is scheduled for debate in the Senate next Wednesday.
"The Coalition is seeking sensible amendments. If they are adopted, then we will be supportive of legislation next week," Ms Ley declared during her visit to Emu Plains engineering business Marley Flow Control.
However, she issued a clear warning: "If the government rejects sensible suggestions and chooses to put jobs at risk, then we will vote against them, with an open mind to revisit negotiations next year."
Key Demands and Political Tensions
The seven changes demanded by the Coalition align with requests from an alliance of 26 business groups presented to both major parties last weekend. These include:
- Assurances that the minister will retain decision-making powers
- Preventing emissions reporting from being used for environmental assessments
- Reinstating fast-tracked approval pathways
- Narrower definitions of "unacceptable impacts" and "net gain"
- Changes to penalty provisions and fines
Environment Minister Murray Watt expressed concern about the Liberal Party's internal instability, noting that striking a deal with the Coalition remains risky despite being preferable. The government currently lacks the numbers to pass the bills without support from either the Coalition or Greens.
Senator Watt reiterated on Thursday that he remains genuinely open to a deal with either party, telling the Queensland Media Club: "Be in no doubt: We will be passing these reforms next week, and it's now up to the Coalition and the Greens to decide whether they want to get on board."
Political Games and Tight Timelines
The political maneuvering comes as the government faces pressure to deliver on its environmental reform agenda. Ms Ley criticized Labor's determination to push the laws through next week, urging them not to be rash and "rush to failure."
Shadow environment minister Angie Bell revealed that the Coalition had previously provided Senator Watt with a list of 23 requested changes, describing their current seven amendments as "reasonable solutions that benefit jobs and the environment."
Senator Watt is reportedly working on amendments to meet the Coalition's requests, aiming to present them before Monday's shadow cabinet meeting. The government appears ready to compromise on some issues but is likely to draw red lines around the powers of the Environmental Protection Authority and the inclusion of emissions reporting.
The political tension escalated when Nationals MPs Matt Canavan and Barnaby Joyce likened the government's threats to deal with the Greens as "a gun to the Coalition's head." Senator Watt responded by calling on the party to "just for one week put aside their leadership turmoil" and focus on the business benefits of the reforms.
Greens environment spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young added to the drama by describing Ms Ley as a "dead woman walking" who had been continually rolled by her colleagues. She urged Senator Watt to "pick a lane" if he was serious about passing the bills.
With the Senate vote scheduled for next Wednesday and a committee inquiry still running, all parties are engaged in last-minute negotiations that will determine the future of Australia's environmental protection laws for years to come.
