Federal environment minister Murray Watt confirmed Australia’s reworked environmental laws will not include a climate trigger.
Watt firmly opposed assessing climate harms under the EPBC Act when questioned by senators.
Environmental groups and the Greens had requested a climate trigger, but Watt indicated it was unlikely from the start.
The EPBC Act legislation is still being drafted but Senator Watt confirmed the government is leaning towards the Samuel review’s handling of climate matters, which asks proponents to disclose their scope one and two emissions and present an abatement plan.
The EPBC Act, now five years past the Samuel review, was deemed outdated and ineffective at protecting nature and providing business certainty.
Watt argued existing policies, including the safeguard mechanism, already regulate emissions from major projects, making a climate trigger unnecessary.
Environmental groups warned climate change threatens nationally significant wildlife and ecosystems and should be addressed in federal law.
Watt pledged to introduce the new EPBC legislation by the end of 2025, aiming for “faster yesses and faster nos” to support clean energy and housing projects.
Regional planning reforms, including “go zones” and “no-go zones,” are underway, with eight pilot projects across Queensland, South Australia, NSW, and Victoria.