Big business is urging Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to work with the Coalition and pass nature protection reforms rather than cut a deal with the Greens that they say could stymie wind and solar projects.
Ahead of a Senate inquiry on Friday into "nature positive" reforms, the Business Council of Australia said it was "deeply concerned" Labor may be flirting with demands from green groups to make environmental approvals subject to a "climate trigger". However, there is now concern that Labor could push to pass the changes before the next election is called, increasing its temptation to work with the Greens who insist a climate trigger is non-negotiable.BCA chief executive Bran Black said there was no need to include climate considerations in nature protection laws because emissions were already covered and regulated by Labor's safeguard mechanism reforms.
"The government ruled out adopting a climate trigger in 2022 as part of this reform and we believe it should hold to this commitment." "This can be by ensuring that all projects seeking approval under the EPBC Act are assessed for their contribution to climate change through emissions generated both in Australia and through the combustion of exported fossil fuels overseas."