00:00The federal government is determined to overhaul Australia's environmental laws, which have
00:07long been described as broken.
00:09So the government says the changes will deliver stronger protections for the environment,
00:14but also quicker approvals for all kinds of projects like housing and mining.
00:19But the reforms have attracted criticism from the Greens, who say that the proposed laws
00:25don't go far enough to protect the environment, particularly after Environment Minister Murray
00:30Watt ruled out a so-called climate trigger, which would have blocked high-carbon-emitting
00:38projects.
00:39But on the other side, the reforms have also been criticised by the Coalition, who say
00:44that they don't give industry confidence to invest here in Australia.
00:49But Senator Murray Watt says the government has struck the right balance.
00:53Take a listen.
00:55We need to have a clear definition of the types of projects that would simply be unacceptable
00:59because of the impact that they would have on the environment.
01:02Of course, that would be beneficial for the environment in stopping unacceptable developments
01:07going ahead.
01:08But it's also really important for business to have that kind of clear definition so that
01:12they get a fast no on a project and know that a particular project isn't going to get approved.
01:17If the Coalition rejects the legislation, it could be a key test of how the Greens respond
01:23in this term of Parliament.
01:25Senator Watt says he is open to striking a deal, but it is shaping up to be very challenging.
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