Businesses urging nature protection reforms
Big businesses are urging Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to join forces with the Coalition on nature protection reforms. They fear a deal with the Greens could sabotage crucial wind and solar projects. Environmental groups are equally vocal, warning of a glaring "climate blind spot" where projects gain approval without considering their emissions.
As the Senate gears up to investigate Labor's plans for an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Business Council of Australia (BCA) is deeply worried. They argue that including a "climate trigger" in the reforms would complicate approvals, potentially stalling everything from mining to renewable energy projects. Plibersek insists no such trigger is included, but the BCA remains sceptical.
Environmentalists argue the current laws fail to address emissions adequately, while business groups fear more bureaucracy. The tension is palpable as the Senate inquiry looms, with Australia's environmental and climate future hanging in the balance.