Business groups back faster EPBC Act reforms

"What’s critical is that we continue to back planning reform through the EPBC process. Obviously that is a key focus here in Canberra today, and it’s a key focus because it matters. It has been described as the single biggest impediment to the green energy transition — it's major projects right across the economy," he said.

Consistency mattered when getting infrastructure projects planned and delivered on time, he added.

"The pitfalls are pretty clear [without a consistent approach]: you lose skills, people move out of industry, they head overseas. And when it comes time to re-invest, they’ll reacquire those skills, it costs more, it takes time and that slows down delivery of infrastructure."

The report also called for a royal commission into the activities of the Construction, Mining, Forestry and Energy Union, re-establishing reform of the National Construction Code which was suspended, and reintroducing asset recycling, where state assets are sold to private buyers.

What they said: Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt told reporters earlier today that EPBC Act reform was now being treated as urgent. He confirmed the bill would be introduced in one tranche, instead of two as Coalition leader Sussan Ley called for over the weekend.

"We are rejecting this silly idea that has come forward from Sussan Ley and [shadow environment Minister Angie Bell yesterday that we should split the bill and only proceed at this point in time with the pro-business aspects of these reforms," he said.

"Some of the changes that we want to make to business processes and approvals processes can help the improvement by cordoning off certain areas that can't be developed into the future. That's why this this idea about splitting the bill is so mad because it won't actually deliver for the environment or for business."