Environmental (Commonwealth Union)_ Global mining giants, led by BHP and Rio Tinto, are urging the Albanese government to expedite reforms to Australia’s environmental laws amid increasing competition from other mining nations. The calls come after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stalled negotiations on the proposed “nature-positive” reforms, citing resistance from resource players and the West Australian government.
At the Melbourne Mining Club, BHP Australia President Geraldine Slattery emphasized the need for streamlined permitting processes to maintain Australia’s position in the clean energy transition. “Inefficient regulation leads to project delays,” she said, noting that countries like Canada, Chile, and the U.S. have already moved to simplify their permitting systems.
Slattery pointed to findings from the 2020 Graeme Samuel review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, which revealed that complex resource projects often face assessment times exceeding 1,000 days. The delays, she argued, undermine Australia’s ability to attract global investors and jeopardize its role in supplying critical minerals for clean energy technologies.
While mining companies support updates to environmental laws, they oppose Labor’s proposed independent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). BHP and Rio Tinto favor maintaining ministerial oversight for project approvals, arguing that this approach better balances environmental, economic, and social considerations.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has championed the EPA, asserting it would simplify processes by consolidating regulatory functions and making them “better for nature and faster for business.”
However, Shadow Environment Minister Jonno Duniam criticized the government for introducing “red tape” that could deter investment. He pledged that a future Coalition government would halve project approval times under the EPBC Act while maintaining high environmental standards.
Slattery highlighted international examples of permitting reform, including the U.S.’s Energy Permitting Reform Act and Canada’s federal permitting coordinator. These initiatives aim to reduce approval timelines and provide certainty for investors.
“A risk-based permitting system is essential for ensuring reliable and timely processing,” Slattery said, adding that Australia’s future competitiveness hinges on modernizing its regulatory framework.
The debate reflects tensions between economic imperatives and environmental stewardship. While mining companies emphasize efficiency and competitiveness, green groups and crossbenchers advocate for robust environmental protections through a strong EPA.
With Australia’s role in the global energy transition dependent on critical minerals like lithium and nickel, stakeholders on all sides agree that reform is necessary. Whether the Albanese government can find common ground remains uncertain, particularly with speculation that the issue could resurface in February.
As global demand for clean energy minerals grows, Australia’s ability to adapt its environmental laws will shape its competitiveness on the world stage. Striking the right balance between efficient permitting and robust environmental oversight remains the challenge at the heart of this debate.
