Anthony Albanese confirmed that the federal environmental protection agency Labor plans to establish, if elected, will be different from the one he previously promised but failed to legislate this term.
In his first public remarks about reviving the initiative, Albanese stated that Labor intends to pursue an alternate model after consulting with states, industries, and environmental groups.
Albanese said, “We won’t be legislating the same model.”
He acknowledged that there is a consensus among industry and environmental groups that current federal environmental laws are not adequate.
“We will go through this process. We will consult widely to ensure we get it right. That is what we will legislate, something that offers certainty for industry and processes while also promoting sustainability.”
Last week, Labor recommitted to reviving plans for an EPA if elected on 3rd May. This pledge was partly to soothe MPs concerned about laws protecting Tasmania’s salmon farming industry.
WA’s significance to Labor’s electoral aspirations provides the context for the government’s failed attempt to fulfill its 2022 election promise of creating a federal EPA as part of a broader overhaul of national environmental laws.
The Prime Minister repeatedly intervened to halt legislation for the watchdog’s creation amid substantial opposition from WA.
While Albanese claimed Labor lacked the Senate numbers due to Coalition and crossbench resistance, the Greens and environmentalists argued the government had yielded to “vested interests.”
Details about the proposed new model have yet to be specified. Labor previously promised to legislate a national EPA capable of making approval and regulatory decisions and enforcing stricter penalties, with Environment Information Australia providing data, information, and analysis.
This commitment followed a major review of environmental laws last year, led by the former competition watchdog head Graeme Samuel, which recommended creating an office to oversee environmental compliance and a “custodian” responsible for reliable data.
Some industry groups were willing to support a federal EPA, provided it focused on enforcement and compliance of nature laws rather than project decision-making.
On Monday, the Prime Minister spoke about the planned new model while criticizing Peter Dutton’s pledge to expedite Woodside’s North-West Shelf gas expansion, accusing him of pre-empting a decision on a project still under federal environmental assessment.
Albanese stated that proceeding without following legal procedures could lead to a “clear misuse” for any legal practitioner.
Albanese’s campaign visit to WA, a state that delivered Labor four additional seats and majority government in 2022, highlighted the Prime Minister’s first campaign stop there’s potential impact on the Labor government’s re-election strategy.
Guardian Australia approached Cook, who was present at Monday’s campaign stop, about the WA government’s stance on a potential federal EPA 2.0, but the question was not addressed during the press conference.
