Overview
- Environment Minister Murray Watt says he has no doubt the legislation will pass this week, with support to come from either the Greens or the Coalition.
- Labor’s latest offer to the Greens would bring native forestry under new National Environmental Standards after a three‑year transition, which Greens senator Sarah Hanson‑Young says is too slow.
- The government has also proposed removing the national‑interest mechanism for approving coal and gas projects to address crossbench and Greens concerns.
- The Coalition has tabled a list of demands, including curbing the proposed environment agency’s powers and scrapping emissions reporting by project proponents, and says the current bill is unacceptable.
- Business groups urge a compromise as Labor argues the overhaul will strengthen protections and speed approvals for housing, renewables and critical minerals, even as a Senate inquiry continues toward a March 2026 report.