Labor’s New Environmental Laws Grant Minister Final Approval Power Over Projects
CANBERRA – Australia’s long-awaited new environmental protection laws will allow the Minister for the Environment to retain final say over controversial projects, despite calls for a fully autonomous Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). The legislation, unveiled today, requires proponents of heavy polluting projects to disclose greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation plans, but stops short of mandating consideration of climate impacts in decision-making.
The laws represent a compromise following pressure from both environmental groups and industry, and come as the government seeks to balance environmental protection with economic progress. The new framework aims to streamline environmental assessments, but critics argue it weakens safeguards against environmentally damaging projects, especially those contributing to climate change. The changes affect a broad range of stakeholders, including conservationists, businesses, and communities possibly impacted by large-scale developments.
Australian Conservation Foundation acting chief executive Paul Sinclair expressed disappointment that the proposed EPA would not be fully independent, advocating for a system where the minister sets nature protection rules and the EPA assesses projects against them. “Arm’s length decision making is better for nature and better for business,” he said.
The Greens environment spokesperson, Sarah Hanson-Young, warned the EPA risked becoming “another branch of government bureaucracy” without stronger enforcement powers. She also criticized the removal of a proposed “climate trigger” that could have blocked or restricted fossil fuel projects.
“They’ve taken the climate trigger off the table because they’re doing the bidding of the fossil fuel companies,” Hanson-Young stated. “now if we negotiate, the government’s going to have to come up with what they are prepared to do to protect the climate and to protect our forests.”
Under the new laws, projects like Woodside’s North-West Shelf extension could still be approved despite their potential climate impacts, as decision-makers are not legally obligated to consider greenhouse gas emissions during the assessment process. Hanson-Young indicated the Greens are prepared to negotiate with Labor on alternative mechanisms to address climate impacts.
