The Senate has today sent the Government's controversial environment legislation to inquiry to report back in March next year, despite the Minister's attempt to rush the pro-mining, pro-logging laws through the parliament.
As stated by Greens spokesperson for the environment, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young:
"Labor's laws fail to protect our forests and fail to protect our climate. Despite the Government spin, this package leaves nature for dead.
"The Albanese Government's proposed environment bill will make things worse for nature and the climate. It will take environment protections backwards while fast tracking approvals for business.
"Big business and the mining companies have had their grubby fingers all over this package, there's no wonder the Government wanted to rush the laws through without scrutiny.
"Instead, the Senate has today sent the Bills to an Inquiry, to ensure the laws are properly scrutinised and that the community is given a say.
"Now that we have seen the full bill, it's clear the only thing being protected here is the profits of the mining companies and big business.
"These are meant to be environment protection laws, not big business approval laws.
"This bill is riddled with weasel words and carve-out clauses for big business. It makes approvals quicker and cheaper for the mining and big business lobby, and fails to provide proper protections for nature.
"The Greens have been clear from the start: we will not rubber stamp laws that fail to protect our native forests, wildlife and climate.
"We need laws that protect nature, not make way for big business to make big profits. The Greens cannot pass these so-called environment laws in their current state."
