Albanese government to put nature watchdog back on the agenda, confirms Murray Watt
Australia's new environment minister has wasted no time in setting his agenda.
Just one week into his new role, Murray Watt is signalling a major overhaul of the country's s environmental laws.
Riding the wave of the newly re-elected labor government's win, Watt said he would prioritise changing environment laws, and also potentially ditch the 'Nature Positive Plan' title in the government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
'Our environment laws aren't working for our environment, business or the community,' Watt posted to X on Saturday.
'They need an overhaul, and I've spent week one speaking to a range of interests about it.'
Watt, formerly the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, replaced Tanya Plibersek last week, who served as environment minister for three years.
Plibersek had been close to establishing an independent Environment Protection Agency in 2022.
However, the plan was shelved by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in November, and again in February.
During the recent election campaign, Albanese recommitted to introducing a federal nature watchdog — but indicated it may diverge from the core design of Plibersek's original proposal.
'This is a very high and immediate priority for the government,' Watt told The Guardian.
'It's why on day one on the job, I was on the phone to all of the key stakeholders talking about this. It's why I'm headed to WA next week...to get those conversations started.'
Watt also confirmed he is reconsidering the language used to frame the reforms, including whether to continue referring to the policy as the 'Nature Positive Plan.'
'I am considering the type of language we use to describe these reforms,' he said.
'I think the more we can explain these concepts in terms that Australians can understand and buy into, I think that does improve our chances of building public support for them.'
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