A WA Labor MP has broken ranks to raise concerns about “a concerted effort by interest groups” to influence state and federal environmental protection laws.
It comes as the federal government continued to face backlash from industry over the prospect of a deal with the Greens on its “nature positive” laws.
Outgoing MLA Chris Tallentire, who is retiring at next year’s state election, made the comments in parliament while speaking about his concerns regarding the WA Labor government’s new Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) legislation.
The mining industry has welcomed legislation to reform WA’s environmental watchdog. (ABC News: Gian De Poloni)
“It is just so important that we, as members of this place, realise that there is a concerted effort by interest groups to counter the environmental protection laws that exist at a state and federal level,” he told parliament.
“This concerted effort is most clearly seen in the writings of the Seven West Media group, with the number of headlines and stories on at least a weekly basis attacking ‘nature positive’ evidence of this.”
Seven West Media was singled out by Mr Tallentire for its coverage of federal environmental protection laws.
(Four Corners: Nick Wiggins)
The WA government recently introduced legislation to reform the EPA.
The law reform has been informed by 39 recommendations from an independent report by former EPA chair Dr Paul Vogel and planning expert David McFerran.
The laws have been widely welcomed by the mining industry and business sector but have raised concerns among environmental groups.
‘Wish list’ for industry: Tallentire
Mr Tallentire, who was Labor’s shadow environment minister in 2017 and previously director of the WA Conservation Council, said he would be supporting the state government’s legislation to reform the EPA, but raised several concerns shared by conservationists.
He said the report by Dr Vogel and Mr McFerran “basically presents a wish list that certain industry groups have been touting for years”.
Mr Tallentire is worried about the removal of the right of appeal against an EPA decision. (ABC Perth: Nicolas Perpitch)
Among his concerns was the removal of the right of appeal against an EPA decision, and the introduction of a government ‘statement of intent’ outlined by the environment minister.
“That appeal process is so important, and we should respect and treasure it,” he said.
Mr Tallentire said while he had no concerns about a statement of intent made by current Environment Minister Reece Whitby, he was worried about the potential for the law to be misused by future governments.
“There could be a statement of intent issued to expedite the approval of nuclear power plants,” he said.
“That is a concern that one might have.”
He raised concerns about media coverage of the federal government’s proposed nature protection reforms, which have stalled due to ongoing negotiations with both the Coalition and Greens.
“These laws have been subject to so much ridicule, especially by Seven West Media,” Mr Tallentire told parliament.
Graeme Samuel, who led the review into Australia’s national environmental laws, has previously also accused WA’s mining industry and Seven West Media of spreading misinformation about the Albanese government’s nature reforms.
Minister against federal climate trigger
WA Premier Roger Cook has previously stated he did not want to see a “climate trigger” included in federal Labor’s planned rewrite of environmental protection laws.
A climate trigger around carbon emissions would initiate a federal approval process. (ABC News: Brendan Esposito)
Among his concerns was the potential for Commonwealth-state duplication and increased approval times, which he believed could counter his government’s efforts to become a major green energy hub.
In response to recent reports that a deal with the Greens might be back on the table, Mr Whitby again inferred a climate trigger was not necessary.
“We have a safeguard mechanism at the federal level which is competent in terms of assessing those types of climate change issues,” he said.
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Mr Whitby said Mr Tallentire, a Labor colleague, was entitled to his views and reiterated that the backbencher had ultimately supported the legislation.
“We have a robust democracy, people are entitled to their views,” he said.
“We have industry making their views known, Chris making his views known, conservationists making their view known.
“My job is to strike the balance that gets it right.”
Seven West Media have been contacted for comment.
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