The Albanese Government is set to introduce its environmental law reform bill to the parliament this sitting fortnight.

It’s been five years since Professor Graeme Samuel handed down his landmark report which provided a blueprint for change, to protect the environment and improve business confidence in major project approvals.

Since then, multiple attempts have been made to change the legislation by both sides of politics.

Now, after months of intense consultation, Environment Minister Murray Watt will introduce his version of these reforms to parliament.

But the support of either the Coalition or the Greens will be required to get the Bill through the Senate.

In his address, Minister Watt will outline the details of his reforms and make his pitch for broad support for the legislation.

BIO:

Senator the Hon Murray Watt was appointed Federal Minister for the Environment and Water on May 13, 2025.

Senator Watt has represented the State of Queensland in the Australian Parliament since 2016.

Serving as a Government Minister since the 2022 federal election, he previously held the portfolios for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Employment and Workplace Relations, and Emergency Management – responding to Australia’s floods, bushfires and tropical cyclones.

In those roles, Minister Watt led government action on a range of key issues, including delivering a minimum wage increase for nearly 3 million workers, overhauling Australia’s response and preparedness for natural disasters, restoring Australia’s biosecurity protections, expanding agricultural trade and export markets, and responding to the impacts of climate change.

He and wife Cynthia live in Brisbane with their two children and they are all big fans of the Socceroos, the Matildas and soccer in general.