In a blistering assessment that has sent shockwaves through political and environmental circles, former Treasury Secretary Ken Henry has declared the Albanese government's flagship environmental laws "not worth the paper they're written on" without significant reforms to exemption provisions.
Warning From Australia's Former Economic Architect
Dr Henry, who served as Treasury Secretary under multiple governments, has broken his silence to deliver a stark warning about the proposed Nature Positive Plan. His intervention comes as Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek faces mounting pressure to strengthen the legislation before its implementation.
The core of Henry's concern lies in what he describes as "dangerously broad" national interest exemptions that could allow major projects to bypass environmental scrutiny entirely. "If these loopholes remain, we might as well not bother with new laws at all," he stated unequivocally.
The Exemption Crisis
According to documents obtained by The Guardian, the proposed legislation would grant the environment minister sweeping powers to exempt projects deemed in the "national interest" without requiring detailed environmental assessments. Critics argue this could undermine the entire purpose of the reforms.
- Major mining and infrastructure projects could bypass environmental reviews
- Ministerial discretion would override scientific assessment in many cases
- Limited parliamentary oversight of exemption decisions
- No requirement for public consultation on exempted projects
Environmental Groups Sound Alarm
Conservation organisations have echoed Henry's concerns, warning that Australia's biodiversity crisis requires genuine reform rather than symbolic legislation. "We're facing an extinction crisis, and weak laws with giant loopholes won't solve it," said one prominent environmental advocate.
The government maintains that the exemptions are necessary for projects of genuine national significance and that appropriate safeguards will be implemented. However, Henry's intervention suggests significant figures within the policy establishment remain deeply unconvinced.
What Happens Next?
With the legislation expected to be introduced to parliament in the coming months, the pressure is mounting on Minister Plibersek to address these concerns. The coming weeks will reveal whether the government heeds this powerful warning from one of Australia's most respected former public servants.
