Federal election 2025: Anthony Albanese avoids questions on details of new nature positive laws

Anthony Albanese has refused to detail his new plan for nature positive laws, while standing next to Roger Cook after the WA Premier labelled the previous legislation a threat to the State’s jobs.

The pair were on the campaign trail in the crucial seat of Tangney on Thursday, when the Prime Minister was asked whether a new environmental regulator would be a compliance-only model as demanded by industry leaders.

Mr Albanese initially tried to avoid the question.

“What we’ll have is a policy that’s good for industry,” he said.

“I’ve met with Rebecca (Tomkinson) already from the Chamber of Minerals here in WA, I’ve had discussions with the Premier here, we’ve had discussions with conservation groups.

“What I want is something that’s good for business and good for sustainability, and that’s what they want as well.”

Pressed a further four times on whether the new version would be “compliance only”, Mr Albanese still refused to answer.

“You’ll get to see the legislation when it’s done,” he said.

“What we will do is not pre-empt processes of consultation. We treat people with respect, that’s what my Government does. We engage with the industry.”

The Liberal party immediately seized on the non-answer and warned voters that Labor could be forced to negotiate with the Greens.

“Western Australians can’t believe anything that comes out of this Prime Minister’s mouth on the diabolical nature positive, mining negative laws,” WA Senator Michaelia Cash said.

“What we do know is that a Labor Government will introduce these laws that will be a disaster for the WA economy.

“If they are in a minority government with the Greens and Teals they will be even worse. Mr Albanese is a risk to the future prosperity of WA.”

The Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA welcomed the Prime Minister’s commitment to consult further but was wary about his promise a new bill would be “in accordance with what was recommended by the Samuels review”.

“It is important to note the Samuels Review did not recommend establishing an EPA with decision making powers,” CME chief executive Rebecca Tomkinson said.

“Creating a new federal decision maker will add yet another layer of duplication to what is already a lengthy and complex project assessment process.

“CME continues to question the need for a Federal Environmental Protection Agency given the robust procedures already in place at our independent State-based EPA.”

The controversial Nature Positive legislation was shelved, for a second time, in February when Mr Albanese declared there was “no path” left to deliver a “sensible” national EPA days after Mr Cook declared it a “threat to WA jobs”.

“I’m just standing up for WA jobs and I’m very pleased with the outcome,” Mr Cook said at the time.

“This is a Prime Minister that gets Western Australia, he’s shown great leadership in making this decision.”