Environment Minister Murray Watt is urging business groups and environmentalists to compromise as they seek to update the outdated EPBC Act. Stakeholders from various sectors are set to meet today to discuss long overdue reforms to Australia's environment laws.

The EPBC Act, established in 1999, has seen little change over the years. Despite two failed attempts to update it, a major review in 2020 highlighted the detrimental impact of the outdated laws on Australia's natural environment and Indigenous heritage.

Representatives from mining, environmental, farming, urban development, and other sectors will gather to find common ground on the necessary reforms. Minister Watt is optimistic that a deal can be reached this term to address the shortcomings of the current legislation.

Last term, proposed reforms aimed to expedite approval decisions, focus on environmental outcomes, and establish an environmental watchdog. However, the government faced challenges passing the laws, leading to their shelving by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Senator Watt, taking on the task, expressed confidence in rewriting the laws and emphasized the need for compromise to address the broken system. The meeting today aims to pave the way for a rewritten EPBC Act that benefits both the environment and business.

While some have suggested including climate considerations in the laws, Senator Watt remains cautious about duplicating existing laws. He emphasized that strong regulations are already in place to address emissions from heavy industry projects.

As pressure mounts on the Albanese government to push for environmental law reforms, the EPBC reform train is set to depart. With support needed from various parties, including the Coalition and the Greens, the government faces the challenge of passing the much-needed reforms through parliament.