In a whirlwind 72-hour negotiation, Australia’s long-standing battle to reform its environmental protection laws came to a head. On Thursday morning, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a landmark agreement with the Greens to pass a significant overhaul of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, marking the end of a five-year legislative struggle.
The deal was brokered in the offices of Parliament House, where the Greens’ environment spokesperson, Sarah Hanson-Young, and Labor’s Murray Watt engaged in intense discussions. Meanwhile, opposition leader Sussan Ley criticized the government’s offer on national television, signaling the Coalition’s resistance.
The Political Maneuvering Behind the Deal
The government was prepared to negotiate with either the Greens or the Coalition until the eleventh hour. However, the Greens’ consistent demands contrasted sharply with the Coalition’s shifting positions, which included new requests as late as Wednesday night. This consistency ultimately paved the way for an agreement with the Greens, announced by Albanese at 8 a.m. on Thursday.
The agreement included significant concessions to the Greens, such as preventing the fast-tracking of coal and gas projects, removing exemptions for native forest logging within 18 months, and tightening regulations on agricultural land-clearing.
“The bills were rammed through with almost no time for scrutiny,” said independent senator David Pocock, describing the package as only a “partial” win for nature.
Historical Context and Shifting Political Climate
Almost a year prior, Albanese had halted a similar deal with the Greens and Pocock to establish a federal environment protection agency. This time, the political landscape had shifted. After securing a federal election victory, Albanese was less concerned about backlash from mining interests in Western Australia and more focused on passing the reform.
Albanese appointed Watt, known as his “Mr. Fix it,” to navigate the complex negotiations, which were further influenced by the Greens’ new leadership under Larissa Waters. Sources within Labor praised the Greens for their pragmatic approach, contrasting it with previous negotiations under Adam Bandt.
The Role of Concessions and Strategic Timing
The negotiations reached a critical point on Wednesday when Albanese personally met with Waters, Hanson-Young, and Watt to resolve outstanding issues. The Prime Minister made it clear that the offer was a “one-time” opportunity, pushing the Greens to decide swiftly.
Faced with the possibility of industry lobbyists diluting or derailing the reforms, the Greens prioritized securing protections for forests over a broader climate trigger. Labor’s willingness to reduce the timeframe for ending logging exemptions from three years to 18 months was a pivotal factor in closing the deal.
Implications and Future Challenges
The passage of the bill marks a significant step forward for environmental protection in Australia, but it also highlights ongoing challenges. The Greens, while celebrating the achievement, emphasized that the fight to incorporate climate considerations into federal nature laws continues.
“This has been a tough negotiation but we’ve managed to deliver some tough blows,” Hanson-Young remarked, acknowledging the progress made.
On the other side, Ley condemned the agreement as a “dirty deal” and maintained that the Coalition had negotiated in “good faith.” However, Graeme Samuel, whose review inspired the reforms, criticized the Coalition’s approach, stating, “They have maneuvered themselves into irrelevance on this matter.”
Looking Ahead: The Path Forward
As the dust settles, attention now turns to the implementation of the new laws and the potential impacts on industries, particularly in Tasmania’s logging sector. The government will need to navigate these challenges while maintaining momentum for further environmental reforms.
The agreement with the Greens underscores a broader shift in Australia’s political climate, one that may pave the way for more comprehensive environmental policies in the future. As the nation grapples with the realities of climate change, the need for robust and effective legislation remains as urgent as ever.
