Libby Coker (Corangamite, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Every day we delay reforming Australia's environmental laws is another day where nature loses ground. We need urgent action now, and our reforms would deliver it. If passed by the Senate, the reforms will enshrine national environmental standards, better protect threatened species and deliver an independent national EPA with real powers. These reforms will modernise an approval system that is too slow and too confusing, holding up renewable energy, housing and critical minerals projects our country urgently needs. These reforms build on our achievements to protect 95 million hectares of bush and ocean, to drive investment in renewable energy and to work towards ambitious emissions reduction targets.

After years of debate, now is the moment for this parliament to choose progress over politics. It's worth remembering that our communities sent us here to act, to do better for our environment, to do better for business. I urge all members across the chamber to work with the government in good faith. Every day without these laws is another day of environmental decline and another day Australians wait for homes, clean energy and the regional jobs that these reforms will unlock. We can fix our broken laws, we can protect nature and we can build the future at the same time, but only if we pass these reforms now.

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