Senate debates Questions without Notice
Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025
Steph Hodgins-May Victoria, Australian Greens
2:59 pm
My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Water. The Wilderness Society has said that the Environment Protection Reform Bill would increase opportunities for political influence on decisions and use new loopholes to weaken nature protections. Without an independent EPA making decisions, and both major parties continuing to accept political donations from fossil fuel corporations, have you received legal advice about higher corruption risks under the new laws?
Murray Watt Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water
3:00 pm
I find it interesting that the Greens party have asked a question about the risk of the EPA not having independent decision-making powers. I was reading a newspaper report only a couple of weeks ago where the Greens spokesperson for the environment was saying that they supported the minister having decision-making powers rather than the EPA. I'm not quite sure if there's a disagreement there between Greens senators. Frankly, this is the one point that we do have agreement on across the entire parliament. I look forward to many more.
Steph Hodgins-May Victoria, Australian Greens
Thank you for that nonanswer. The Wilderness Society also described the bill as 'a piece of swiss cheese riddled with loopholes that would enable rampant deforestation and species extinctions to continue at pace'. Will the government close the many loopholes that provide get-our-of-coal-free cards for project that do not meet environmental standards?
Murray Watt Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water
3:01 pm
I don't think it's surprising at this stage of the debate that different groups have things that they would like to see changed in the legislation.
Sarah Hanson-Young SA, Australian Greens
Not one environment group will back you.
Murray Watt Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water
We've seen comments from business groups. We've seen comments from environment groups. And we will weigh all that up. But one thing I can guarantee you is that we will pass these laws. We will pass laws that protect the environment and do better for business, and we will either do it with the Greens party or the coalition.
Steph Hodgins-May Victoria, Australian Greens
Not one group is backing you. You selectively include lines to include in your email blasts; it's ridiculous. The Wilderness Society has called for the removal of the continuous use loophole that it says is being used to clear one million hectares in Queensland alone under the Albanese government—one million hectares! Will the government remove the section 43B continuous use exemption so that agricultural clearing cannot continue to destroy habitat and drive extinctions without scrutiny?
Murray Watt Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water
3:02 pm
In her question, Senator Hodgins-May cited some of the comments from environment groups. I can only assume that she's referring to the press release from the Australian Conservation Foundation, Greenpeace and WWF-Australia, in which they said, 'Environment groups welcome new enforcement powers and increases in penalties for nature laws'. That sounds like a degree of support from environment groups. Perhaps the Greens might like to listen.
Sue Lines President
Senator Hodgins-May?
Senator Hanson-Young, I invite you to turn around to see one of your own senators on her feet. You need to be quiet.
Steph Hodgins-May Victoria, Australian Greens
On a point of order on relevance. Senator Watt completely failed to answer the question. I hope he attempts another crack, because people are really disappointed.