SUBJECT/S: Historic environmental reforms; High risk weather season

HOST, JAYNIE SEAL: Well, only a short time ago, the Prime Minister announced what he described is a significant victory for the country with environment laws to pass the Senate today with the support from the Greens. Well, joining us live is Emergency and Regional Development Minister Kristy McBain. Minister, thank you so much for joining us. Yes, very fresh that news. And of course, we'll be hearing more during the day, but many people, I guess, asking the question why is this being rushed?

MINISTER FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, KRISTY MCBAIN: Good morning, Jaynie, it's good to be with you. Environment laws are 25 years old now. And we know from environment groups, from industry and business that they're not working for anyone. The former Coalition government commissioned the Samuel Review five years ago. This is now the third attempt to reform environmental laws. It hasn't been rushed. It's been five years in negotiations between the two major political parties, as well as with the Greens political party as well. So, we've been able to finally strike a deal which provides more certainty for business, more certainty for the environment. And most importantly, it actually looks to fast track housing projects across the country, critical mineral projects, renewable projects. You know, we've got to get on with things. And this is a huge step forward in productivity, which was one of the big things that came out of that economic roundtable we held earlier this year, was that these environment laws were holding things up in our country, and we can't have that anymore.

HOST: And when you say fast track, I mean, I guess as we've had plenty of discussions here, Minister, about the lack of consultation and the fast tracking of rollouts of renewable projects, for example. Are you going to be, you and your government, be really mindful of the, you know, the fast track process that's been going on and, you know, the divide between communities?

MCBAIN: I think that's one of the major concerns that we have seen is that for a lot of communities, they've got projects that are hanging over their heads and hanging over their communities for years on end as it goes through a range of planning and environmental processes. So, even the Federal Government, it's quicker yeses and quicker noes, so that proponents and communities can get on with their lives, which I think is incredibly important. This doesn't mean every project gets fast tracked to a yes. It actually means that we've got time frames on how we track these projects. So, really important, I think, and something that the community is calling for.

HOST: Alright, we know, of course, you're the Emergency Management Minister as well. Severe weather season is in full swing and tragically we have been reporting today one death of a man in regional NSW due to the bad weather. It's only the start of the season. How prepared is the government regarding emergency crews, equipment, supplies etc.?

MCBAIN: Well, firstly, my thoughts and condolences to the man’s family that did pass yesterday in those heavy winds that we had. Look, we've already seen Tropical Cyclone Fina reach Darwin and the Tiwi Islands as well as the Kimberley in WA. We've had significant hail storms impacting South-East Queensland. We had catastrophic fire danger warning yesterday in NSW and obviously heavy winds that have impacted a lot of communities. I think the thing we need to make sure of is that people are planning and making sure that they've got their plans in place as we head into this high risk weather season. Know if you're staying or going if there's a bushfire. Understand your risks if there's a flood. Heed the advice of emergency services and make sure you've got your emergency kit packed and ready so that in the case of an emergency where you do have to stay, that you are prepared for that.

But I think it is incredibly important that it's not only individuals that are preparing, it's state, territory and federal governments as well. To that end we've obviously got our National Aerial Firefighting Fleet, which is now available and being used. We've got our National Emergency Stockpile, a range of specialist equipment that can be deployed if necessary, like emergency accommodation generators and the like and they were pre-deployed into Darwin for Tropical Cyclone Fina and we'll continue to work with state and territory agencies to ensure that we can assist them coordinate a range of assets, if and when they are needed. But the message is clear. Be aware of the risks around you and make sure you've got your emergency plan in place.

HOST: Alright, and very good advice indeed, Minister, in terms of back burning and what's prepared for potential bushfires are you satisfied with what you've seen?

MCBAIN: Look, each state and territory does their own hazard reduction burns. We know that the window for hazard reduction burns is getting smaller year on year, and I do commend the amount of work that has been done. I think every community would love to see more work being done. But we are hamstrung by the weather that we face during the off-season. So, we need to make sure that people are prepared as well and listening to those emergency services when a disaster does strike.

HOST: Alright. Well, Minister, thank you so much. We know it's going to be a very busy season and we know that you'll be ready to jump on and talk to us here on Sky News. Certainly, it probably will be for quite a few days, certainly over the severe weather season, to say the very least. But thank you so much and we look forward to hearing more with what goes on in Parliament today, possibly tomorrow again, you'll be sitting?

MCBAIN: Absolutely there is that possibility. Until then, take care.

HOST: Alright. Thanks so much, Minister.