Changes to Australian law should come from public debate and democratic will, not deals to appease corporate interests ahead of an election.
“Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s overriding of government processes and his own Environment Minister recalls the ‘captain’s picks’ of Tony Abbott – like knighting Prince Phillip and scrapping the proposed paid parental leave scheme,” said Bill Browne, Director, Democracy & Accountability Program at The Australia Institute.
“The NSW gambling industry used ‘MoUs’ with politicians to prevent action on gambling harm for a decade. Albanese’s pledge to change environmental laws if they do not suit polluters is just as disappointing.
“In Australia’s Westminster system of government, ministers are responsible for their portfolios – and Tanya Plibersek is Minister for the Environment. It is Ms Plibersek, not Mr Albanese, who promised zero extinctions under a Labor government and who is accountable to Parliament.”
“The salmon industry cannot rely on the Prime Minister’s pledge to make Australia’s environmental laws “appropriate” for the industry: it is Parliament that makes Australia’s laws, and the Labor Party has not controlled both houses of Parliament since World War 2.”
It is still unclear whether the salmon industry has the necessary approvals under the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
