In the final week of Parliament for 2025, Labor and the Greens cooked up a dirty deal to push through changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
This last-minute pact will have implications that will be felt throughout the electorate of Parkes and far beyond, causing significant problems for councils, for farmers, for miners, for forestry, for the construction industry and for everyday Australian families. It will impact on jobs, productivity and investment.
This move comes after Anthony Albanese’s promise he would not do deals with the Greens to pass legislation. But here we have it, a deal that will further block appropriate projects in regional areas, that will limit regional Australia’s growth by slowing down the approval process, that places additional power in the hands of the minister of the day, and that will push power prices even higher.
Industry Reaction
The National Farmers Federation has said it is “bitterly disappointed” by the reforms, with concerns they could lead to worse environmental outcomes and an increased bushfire risk.
The Business Council of Australia has called the reforms a “missed opportunity”.
The Minerals Council of Australia says it is “an inferior and disappointing outcome” that will increase red tape.
Australian Energy Producers have said the Albanese Government has chosen more red tape and uncertainty instead of enabling new gas supply in a deal that “threatens Australia’s energy security”.
These reforms throw insurmountable challenges at the mining sector, an industry that contributes hundreds of billions of dollars to our nation, and continues to be a major employer.
The Albanese Government has not been able to guarantee farmers won’t experience a financial loss as a result of the reforms, and there has been no industry consultation or information for farmers about how the rules will apply to their property. Farmers who are concerned and confused about the new rules have no idea how this will apply to their properties.
The way to approach the protection of our landscape is not to give in to the Greens, but to consider all the implications and the consequences of these reforms. Not only is this a dark day for farmers and industry, but it may leave Australians in the dark.
Community Energy Forums
On another note, thank you to everyone who came along and thank you to those who spoke at our Cheaper. Better. Fairer. Community Energy Forums in Dubbo and Dunedoo. Senator Matt Canavan joined me at the heart of the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone to explain the Nationals policy to lower emissions.
School Presentations
In the weeks ahead, I will be travelling throughout the electorate to attend as many end-of-year school presentations as I can. Many secondary schools have included the new Member for Parkes Vocational Student of the Year among their awards, and I look forward to presenting some of these in person.
There are many ways to make your way in this world, and becoming a tradie or following a vocation is a great path to follow!
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wud it be better if they’d done a deal with Lib-Nat ?
doesn’t sound like he’s read them tbh, quoting other people’s opinions
Except why do we need new gas supply?