Finding the best balance between the environment and development is vital but often contested. Renewable energy projects, housing and mining approvals are all important, while Australia's unique natural environment also requires defence.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act is crucial on all those fronts – but it's long been seen as not properly serving either the environment or business.

The Albanese government tried to make changes last term with Tanya Plibersek as environment minister, but the effort failed. This term, new Environment Minister Murray Watt has made a fresh push to pass the reforms. He's hoping to push legislation through by Christmas – even though there's just one sitting week of Parliament left, at the end of this month.

Watt has to make a Senate deal with either the Greens or the Coalition and both want substantial amendments to different parts of the legislation. To discuss the likelihood of striking that deal, the Coalition's shifting position on net zero emissions and actually achieving Australia's climate targets, Watt joined the podcast.

He argues the proposed environmental law reforms:

On the progress of his discussions with Greens and the Liberals, Watt says both still remain open to negotiation and that everyone will need to compromise:

On one of the controversial aspects of the bill – a “national interest” override, giving the environment minister the final say in approving significant projects – Watt defends its inclusion but says he's willing to compromise:

Watt remains optimistic that Australia can reach its climate targets, including net zero emissions by 2050, while admitting the difficulties:

Read more: Labor's environmental law overhaul: a little progress and a lot of compromise

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