Chaney says Nature Positive is teal deal (25 Jan 25)
Article summary: Curtin independent MP Kate Chaney has announced her intention to prioritise the revival of the Federal Government's Nature Positive laws in the event of a hung Parliament.
Speaking at a City Beach forum alongside independent Senator David Pocock, Chaney criticised Western Australia (WA) Premier Roger Cook and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for their roles in shelving the legislation, which was initially designed to introduce stronger environmental protections, including a national Environmental Protection Agency with enforcement powers.
Chaney expressed frustration with the political manoeuvring that derailed the bill, noting, “I had quite a lot of hope about the Nature Positive legislation... then the politics got in the way.” She accused Premier Cook of opposing the legislation on behalf of the WA mining industry and claimed the Prime Minister abandoned the bill to avoid potential electoral backlash in WA. “Roger Cook said ‘we don’t want it over here,’” she stated. “Albo wasn’t willing to risk an election outcome from Western Australia. And so that decision was made on political grounds, not based on what’s good for the country.”
Chaney remains optimistic about the bill’s future, saying its revival would be “a high priority” in a hung Parliament scenario. Her comments follow the Albanese government’s decision last year to halt the legislation after Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek reached an agreement with the Greens. The deal was scuppered following backlash from WA’s mining sector, which warned it would threaten jobs.
Senator Pocock echoed Chaney’s sentiments, criticising the government for caving to industry pressure. He cited polling indicating that 80 per cent of West Australians support stronger action to address climate change. Pocock argued that inadequate funding for environmental protection has positioned Australia as “a world leader in extinction.”
Premier Cook defended his government’s opposition to the legislation, describing it as an economic threat to WA and its clean energy ambitions. He stated, “The Nature Positive laws... represented a risk to WA jobs, and any WA premier will stand up for their state.”
