Lock the Gate Alliance is relieved that plans to fast-track coal and gas projects under Australia’s national environment laws have been avoided, thanks to a determined effort by the Greens to fix the damaging Bills put forward by the Government.
Lock the Gate understands that:
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Coal and gas projects that are caught under the water trigger will not be able to be handed back to state or territory governments for devolved decisions.
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Coal and gas projects will not be subject to streamlined assessments that would have stripped out community consultation and fast-tracked approval
Georgina Woods, Head of Research and Investigation at Lock the Gate Alliance said “The Albanese government squandered its opportunity to dramatically improve Australia’s national environment law to make it fit for the twenty-first century and the realities of climate change and ecosystem collapse.
“The Government’s focus all along was on haste and convenience for companies wanting to harm the environment, and that is reflected in the outcome of this process where the Greens have been forced to negotiate to ’save the furniture’ and reinstate existing protections.
“It’s appalling that decisions will continue to be made without considering the contribution they will make to climate change, even as our communities, wildlife and environments face more frequent and intense extreme climate change-related weather events.
“We’re grateful to the Greens for backing regional communities and winning concessions so that the water impacts of expanding coal and gas mines will still require a decision by the Federal Government and the community will still have a say.
“There is still a long way to go in terms of finalising National Environment Standards that will be integral to the ultimate outcome of this scheme, and we’re calling on the Government to ensure they deliver strong standards that protect habitat, landscapes, and water resources.”
ENDS