CCIWA welcomed the opportunity to meet with new federal Environment Minister Murray Watt in Perth to discuss reforms to Australia’s environmental approvals system.
Businesses and industry in WA have held significant concerns about the government’s “Nature Positive” reform agenda, which was placed on hold by the Prime Minister in February.
CCIWA Chief Executive, Peter Cock, said the meeting with Minister Watt was productive, and allowed the Minister to hear the perspectives of a broad range of WA industries.
“The impact of these reforms on the mining sector can’t be understated, but we stressed to the minister that the risk goes well beyond mining,” he said.
“This will cut across the economy, impacting housing and construction, clean energy, agriculture and many other sectors.
“If these reforms aren’t done right, there’s a real risk that projects in these sectors will become less viable. That would mean fewer houses and a slower roll-out of renewables.”
Dr Cock said CCIWA welcomed the government’s refreshed approach to the reforms and looked forward to further engagement with Minister Watt on the key principles.
“Ultimately, we agree that reform is needed,” Dr Cock said.
“Our concern lies with the model that was proposed in the previous Bills which would have established an unaccountable bureaucracy in Canberra with the power to block major projects.
“Any national body should only have a compliance and enforcement role and not be able to approve or reject applications.
“There is already a robust approvals system in place in Western Australia that is striking the right balance in terms of protecting the environment and allowing economy-defining projects to go ahead under strict conditions.”
CCIWA also stressed the need for deep and genuine engagement with industry as the new reforms are developed.
“We had been disappointed in the past by the level of secrecy that surrounded the Nature Positive reforms, which created a great deal of uncertainty in industry,”
“We welcomed the fresh start and have been encouraged so far by Minister Watt’s approach and look forward to playing a constructive role in representing the views of WA industry as the new policy is developed.”
Dr Cock said CCIWA also raised the North West Shelf approval with Minister Watt, stressing the importance of the project to the Western Australian and national economies.
“The imminent decision on this project is long overdue, and we have advocated strongly for the extension to be approved,” Dr Cock said.
“The North West Shelf extension will help to secure vital gas supplies, providing energy security for Australian businesses and households and securing jobs well into the future.”
