WA Waitsโค on Federal Budget as Submarine Base โ& โEnvironmental Reform Face hurdles
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – โคNovemberโค 22, 2023 – Western Australia is holding its breath โfor clarity on key federal projects as Prime Minister Anthony AlbaneseS recent visit to the โstate revealed lingering concerns surrounding the AUKUS submarine base and stalled environmental law reforms. Whileโค the submarine baseโค is expected to proceed, even local beneficiaries aren’t fully convinced of its โbenefits, citing worries about housing availabilityโฃ and road congestion from an influx of personnelโ andโ workers.
The timing coincides with the โfederal government’s attemptโฃ to overhaul the nation’s surroundings laws -โ a move crucial for expediting approvals forโ critical minerals and renewable energy projects. โHowever, neither the Greens โคnor the โCoalition have pledged their supportโ for the proposed reforms, leaving their passage โคuncertain.
Businessโข groups are urging parties to “work together” to land a deal on the EPBC act reforms, viewing the โคcoming days as critical, particularly after the Liberals โabandoned โคtheir net zero target.
Western Australian Senator Matt Cook previously scuttled the last attempt to rewrite the environmental laws and is expected to remain a key voice, perhaps influenced by the state’s mining industry.
With only one sittingโฃ week remaining,โค the outcomeโ of the budget update – to be handed downโ before Christmas – will be โclosely watched for any potential “present” offered to West Australians.