Ken Henry warns Labor’s nature laws ‘are worthless’ unless minister tightens ‘national interest’ exemptions

Exclusive: ‘Every project developer is absolutely convinced that their project is in the national interest,’ Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation boss saysGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe former Treasury secretary Ken Henry says “a conga line of developers” would lobby the environment minister for special carve outs unless the Albanese government clarifies the types of projects that could be granted exemptions under its new nature laws.While welcoming the overall package of laws introduced to parliament on Thursday, Henry said the vague drafting of the “national interest” exemption and the failure to close loopholes for native forest logging and land clearing were problems that needed to be fixed. Continue reading...