Industry welcomes staged Nature Positive rollout

The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies has welcomed a move by Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to break up the government's Nature Positive Plan reforms into stages. “We’re pleased to see that the majority of environmental reforms, will now get the public consultation process they deserve," AMEC chief executive officer Warren Pearce said. "This will enable industry to properly engage in the process and understand the potential benefits or consequences of these changes. “We are waiting for more detail on how the public consultation will work, timeframes and how industry will be involved.” Ms Plibersek today said the second stage of the Nature Positive Plan would deliver stronger environment powers, faster environment approvals, and more environment information and transparency. Key measures include: Australia’s first national independent Environment Protection Agency with new powers and penalties. A new body called Environment Information Australia to give businesses easier access to the latest environmental data, release State of the Environment reports every two years, and report on progress on national environmental goals. Faster environmental approval decisions on projects, thanks to a $100 million investment, including on renewables and critical minerals. Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek. Ms Plibersek said the government was doing more than ever to protect the country’s natural treasures, native plants and animals. “We’re delivering stronger protections for the environment, including Australia’s first ever independent national Environment Protection Agency," she said. “We’re also working to support faster, clearer decisions for business. That greater certainty for business will help drive investment in nation-building projects. “When I first announced the Nature Positive Plan, I said it would take a bit of cooperation, compromise and common sense to deliver. That’s exactly how we’re approaching the rollout.” Environmental groups have expressed dismay at the staged approach to reforms, with Lock the Gate Alliance national co-ordinator Carmel Flint commenting: "Big coal and gas companies wanted this delay and they got it. “Instead of acting on the twin extinction and climate crises and protecting Australia, the Albanese Government has chosen, in the middle of one of the worst global coral bleaching events in history, to capitulate to the mining industry. “Delaying these reforms will cause untold environmental damage - more than 30 coal and gas projects are likely to be approved that will drain groundwater, bulldoze habitat for iconic endangered species like the koala and turbocharge climate change.” Laws to deliver the second stage of the government’s Nature Positive Plan will be introduced into Parliament in the coming weeks. The first stage was completed late last year when laws passed the Parliament to establish the world’s first Nature Repair Market, and to expand the ‘water trigger’ so all unconventional gas projects have to be assessed for their impact on water resources. The Federal Government pledged to fully deliver the third stage of environment law reform by continuing to consult closely with environment groups, business, states and territories, and others, on further updates to national environment laws. Funding towards faster approvals 'sorely needed' Mr Pearce said that when the Nature Positive Plan was first devised, Ms Plibersek had said it would “take a bit of cooperation, compromise and common sense to deliver.” AMEC chief executive officer Warren Pearce. Today marked a step in the right direction after a lack of transparency and consultation, he said. AMEC acknowledges that Ms Plibersek will release all the legislation before it goes to parliament in coming weeks. "We also welcome the sorely needed extra funding towards faster environmental approval decisions on projects," Mr Pearce said. "At the same time, we need more details about exactly where the money is being directed, what it will be used for and whether it is ongoing or a one off.” At a time when the Prime Minister was speaking about becoming more competitive with the rest of the world, it was imperative that the Nature Positive reforms did not create an added layer of bureaucracy for an industry most critical to decarbonising the economy, he said. You may also like: https://industryqld.com.au/calls-to-review-regulations-to-help-meet-renewable-energy-targets

Industry welcomes staged Nature Positive rollout

Industry Queensland

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