Labor set to use last parliamentary sitting week to pass environmental reforms; Israel launches first attack on Beirut in months

Albanian government offers Greens a sweetener on native forest logging trying to make a deal this would see totemic environmental laws come into force in the last parliamentary session week of the year.

The Greens are considering granting a concession to include native forestry within the proposed National Environmental Standards after a three-year transition period. Yesterday Environment Minister Murray Watt held a press conference to increase pressure on the minor party’s support in the Greens’ single lower house electorate.

Ending the parliamentary year with a victory on environmental reform would be a victory for the government, which thwarted an initiative before the May election.

The Greens are reviewing the government’s proposed amendments, which would not end native forest logging but would impose stricter environmental standards. Environment spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young said the change was welcome but the timeframe would be too long.

“Another three years of destroying our forests… I don’t think that matches the urgency of protecting our native forests at all,” Hanson-Young told ABC TV. insider Sunday.