Labor welcomes the contribution from crossbenchers today to the national discussion about the need for better environmental protections.

Labor has been consistently calling for a strong cop on the beat to ensure our nation's environmental laws are upheld. We're pleased to see parts of the cross bench agree.

The Prime Minister must explain why the Government paid at least $13 million more for water than an independent valuation advised it to, following explosive revelations today. 

The Morrison Government must ensure the construction of a go-kart track at Wahluu, Mt Panorama, in NSW does not go ahead until there is a proper determination on any impacts for potentially significant First Nations’ heritage.  

Scott Morrison’s low standards are on full display yet again, with the introduction of a second tranche of environment legislation which is inconsistent with the Samuel Review.

The Productivity Commission has slammed the Morrison Government on water, including a project that is projected to deliver water at almost 45 times the cost of existing water. 

A report on Australia’s chronic and savage cat problem issued by the Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy provides a sad window into the damage being done to our biodiversity, and the shortcomings in the government’s response.

World Wetlands Day 2021 is an important reminder of the environmental legacies that Labor governments have delivered for Australia, but also the unprecedented threats our environment now confronts.

PATRICIA KARVELAS, HOST: A once in a decade review of environmental legislation is calling for urgent reforms to prevent the continued extinction of Australia's plants, animals and ecosystems. Former head of the competition watchdog Graeme Samuel handed his review to government in October last year, but it was quietly released late yesterday afternoon. The report backs the federal government's decision to hand environmental approvals to the states but says National Environmental Standards must be legally binding. Terri Butler is the Shadow Minister for the Environment and Water. Welcome back to the program.

Labor has welcomed today’s release of the final report from the independent Samuel Review into Australia’s national environment laws, after the Morrison Government sat on it for months.

Topics: Shadow Cabinet reshuffle; Mark Butler; Richard Marles; Jobs, Jobs, Jobs; Scott Morrison is bad for Queensland; COVID -19; Vaccines; Federal Labor Queensland Team; JobKeeper; Climate Change; Samuel Review; Photo op, follow up; Renewables; Gas; Manufacturing.