Nature Positive tops PM, Premier talk

Premier Roger Cook says the Nature Positive proposal remained the big issue in discussions with the federal cabinet during the Prime Minister’s recent visit.

The federal government’s Nature Positive Bill proposed to introduce tougher penalties for breaching environmental laws and creating a national approvals body.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently said the federal government was open to a compromise with the Coalition, during his visit to Perth this week.

Speaking at an industry event this morning, Mr Cook said the federal government has listened.

“I was very pleased to see the Prime Minister's comments in Western Australian media this week, which was about understanding that this is an important issue for WA business and understanding that we have to do this deal,” he said.

“We want national environmental protection authority laws to go through, because we understand that strong ESG values underpin our international investment pathway.

“The only way these laws are going to get through is through a deal with the Greens or a deal with the Opposition.

“It has to be a deal with the opposition in order to make sure that these laws are sensible, that they benefit everyone, and don’t represent a hindrance to Western Australian industries.”

Resources industry groups have voiced their concerns over the proposed Nature Positive reforms.

In July, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA chief executive Rebecca Tomkinson fronted a Senate committee over the risk of overlap between state and federal approval processes under the Nature Positive proposal.

“I sat opposite [Environmental Minister] Tanya Plibersek some months ago. [Energy Minister] Chris Bowen on one side, Rebecca Tomkinson on the other. I think they got the message,” Mr Cook said.

“They could WA coming en-masse so it's really pleasing to see the federal government pivot on that issue.”