We’re listening on Nature Positive: PM

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says delays to environmental policy reform show he is listening to Western Australian businesses, but has brushed off questions on whether a draft will be ready before the next election.

Mr Albanese’s 20^th trip to WA since his election in May 2022 was his first since the federal government revealed a plan to delay changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act last month.

In doing so, Mr Albanese delayed the implementation of contentious areas of reform, which had drawn the ire of business for a lack of adequate consultation and fears over red tape.

The EPBC Act changes are part of the third tranche of the government’s broader ‘Nature Positive’ plan, with the second tranche including the establishment of an independent federal environment protection body.

Speaking at a Business News and 9News hosted breakfast, Mr Albanese said the government was focused on protecting environment while accelerating approvals where they should be granted.

He said the recent carving of Nature Positive into three was an indication that his government was engaged in consultation and listening to business’ concerns.

“We’ve listened to what the business community, including the business community here, has said, and we’ve responded to it,” he said.

”I think everyone in WA running a business knows they want good environmental outcomes, because that gives the social licence to operate.

“But we also need to make sure that there’s not bureaucracy for its own sake, and some of the duplication is one of the things we want to work through in a cooperative way between the Commonwealth and the state government, but also working with business.

“I think we’ve made it very clear that we’re engaged on that issue.”

The decision to delay the changes to the EPBC Act was met with cautious optimism by business groups when announced but decried by the Greens and environmentalists.

In his vote of thanks to the prime minister, Rio Tinto chief executive Simon Trott said the iron miner was encouraged by the government’s commitment to consultation and the acceleration of approvals.

“Complex reforms, such as the changes to the EPBC act, do need thorough consultation, and it was pleasing to hear the prime minister talk today about speeding up the environmental approvals,” he said.

But increased consultation could come with uncertainty ahead of the next federal ballot.

Mr Albanese doubled down on his commitment to consultation at a Kings Park press conference following this morning’s event, but suggested draft reform would likely not be available before the next federal election, expected to take place in May 2025.

“We’re consulting,” he said in response to questioning around whether the policy details would be public before the next election.

“I had a really structured engagement with the business community this morning.

“It’s something that characterises my government – consultation and getting details right.”

Mr Albanese appeared alongside Premier Roger Cook and Treasurer Rita Saffioti, less than a week out from the federal budget and a day before the state budget.

Mr Cook said he was pleased to see his federal counterparts listening to the concerns of WA business and community stakeholders.

“The timing is for the federal government to choose,” he said, when asked whether the draft reform should be made public ahead of the next federal election.

“What I’ve been urging both Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and the prime minister is that they need to consult with industry and provide every opportunity for industry, environmental stakeholders, traditional owners all to have their input so that these rules work in everyone’s interests.

“There was obviously some concern, particularly in regards to some aspects of the way these laws were coming together.

“And because of the consultation that they had in place, the federal government was able to view those concerns and act on them.”