Labor has withdrawn its Nature Positive bill from the Senate agenda following intense opposition from the business lobby, which argued that including a climate trigger would severely impact the economy.
The bill, scheduled for Senate debate on Thursday, was pulled this morning after Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said negotions were ongoing with the Greens to secure support for the legislation.
The move comes after a sharp rebuke from peak business organisations, warning of dire economic consequences should the proposed environmental laws, potentially featuring a climate trigger, be enacted. The Australian government had reportedly signalled its intention to proceed with the bill despite objections from the Coalition and business interests, demonstrating political brinkmanship.
Opposition Environment spokesman Jonno Duniam criticised the government's handling of the issue, accusing them of inconsistency and internal discord.
"The Government’s environmental agenda is in a shambles and they are the only ones to blame," Duniam said, highlighting apparent conflicts within the administration over environmental policy.
The withdrawal reflects ongoing tensions between environmental priorities and economic concerns, underscoring the challenges in balancing environmental protection with economic stability in legislative initiatives.
This decision marks a setback for Labor's environmental agenda and underscores the complexities of navigating bipartisan support amid significant industry opposition.