Murray Watt, the new Labor Environment Minister, is getting close to wrapping up a historic overhaul of Australia’s environmental laws. His proposed legislation shortens timelines for developing new housing as well as clean energy projects. It creates a much more precise framework for determining “go” versus “no-go” zones. The legislation to be introduced in November follows months of outreach and conversations with stakeholders.
Since taking office in May, Watt has been hands on, meeting with more than 70 stakeholders. He’s ardently collecting insights, feedback, and best practices to inform proposed improvement to Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. His approach emphasizes a bipartisan effort, as he prepares to meet with his Liberal counterpart, Angie Bell, to discuss the framework and negotiate potential compromises.
Watt’s proposals involve the creation of a climate trigger that would allow the Interior Department to deny new coal and gas projects. He signaled that this provision would not survive into the final legislation.
Stakeholder Engagement and Legislative Goals
Murray Watt’s extensive outreach to stakeholders reflects his commitment to crafting legislation that balances environmental protection with the need for development. By developing partnerships and listening to all sides, he seeks to develop a consensus on changes being proposed while protecting our most pressing environmental needs.
The currently proposed laws require the disclosure of scope one and two emissions from project proponents. Watt agrees that these disclosures are important that any new development can be fairly assessed by its environmental impact. He encourages advocates to develop an abatement plan. This plan must outline their actions to proactively lower emissions from their projects.
Watt’s approach aligns with recommendations from the independent review led by Graeme Samuel, which emphasized the necessity for transparency in emissions reporting. Those critics have been rightly skeptical of Watt’s commitment to true, meaningful environmental protections.
Climate Trigger Controversy
While Watt has called for some kind of climate trigger, whether that will be included is still up in the air. His comments have set off warning bells for environmental advocates, especially those within The Greens party. Australian Greens Senator Larissa Waters has long expressed skepticism over the bill, saying that,
“I take Murray’s statement with a grain of salt.”
This skepticism comes at least in part from a fear that the legislation just as proposed will still lead to development taking precedence over environmental protections.
Angie Bell has chimed in on the controversy—indicating that Watt might be taking a strategic approach. She remarked,
“I think the minister is just trying to keep his options open. They may well want to do a deal with the Liberals to have really bad environmental laws that don’t protect nature and just give the go-ahead to coal and gas. That’s open to them.”
Bell pointed out the importance of continued and open discussion between the different parties, calling on Watt to continue to work and consult with The Greens.
Bipartisan Negotiations Ahead
As Watt gets ready for negotiations with Bell, he has called his style of EPBC negotiation bipartisan. Adopting this Forthbridge strategy would help make the implementation of environmental laws represent a wider array of perspectives, while moving essential projects forward.
Given his apparent predisposition to accept Samuel’s proposals, questions remain on whether the touted reforms will go far enough to protect Australia’s environment. Senator Murray Watt acknowledged these uncertainties, stating,
“I would say it is unlikely. Again, we haven’t reached a final position on that.”
The road ahead is still unclear as negotiations continue. Environmental advocacy organizations have kept up the heat on Watt as well as the administration to ensure that environmental integrity is safeguarded in any new legislation.
