Politics Now Can Labor reform Australia's environment laws? | Insiders On Background
Oct 31, 2025
Ken Henry, former Treasury secretary and seasoned economist, dives into the urgent need for reforming Australia's environmental laws. He discusses the long delays and inefficiencies of the EPBC Act, advocating for a balance between environmental protection and quick approvals for vital projects. Henry weighs the potential risks of ministerial overrides while stressing the integration of climate policy. He highlights the importance of safeguarding standards in bilateral approvals, urging swift reform to enhance productivity and tackle pressing issues like deforestation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Legislation Offers A Feasible Fix
- The bill is complex but gives parliament something workable to fix the long-failing EPBC Act.
- Ken Henry believes parliament could process it quickly if there is political goodwill.
Approvals Bottleneck Harms Projects
- Project approvals have stalled for years due to overlapping Commonwealth, state and local laws.
- Henry highlights renewable projects stuck in the pipeline for up to nine years because of legal complexity.
Ministerial Override Creates Tension
- The proposed ministerial override creates tension between environmental standards and other national interests.
- Henry accepts the pragmatic need but warns it must be exceptional and clearly justified.