One Nation WA Senator Tyrone Whitten has slammed the Productivity Commission for proposing what it calls a blatantly unlawful and environmentally disastrous plan to exempt wind farms and other renewable energy projects from Australia’s national environmental protections.
In an extraordinary move, the Commission is recommending the removal of federal environmental oversight for wind, solar, battery, and transmission infrastructure, fast-tracking approvals for projects that would otherwise be prohibited by law.
“The Productivity Commission has lost the plot,” Senator Whitten said.
“What they are proposing is not just dangerous, it’s a direct assault on Australia’s environmental laws and democratic processes.”
The proposal would strip away the independent federal oversight provided by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, allowing the destruction of irreplaceable landscapes including remnant forests, RAMSAR-listed wetlands, prime farmland, and marine sanctuaries.
“This would be the first time in Australian history that an entire industry is given a free pass to bulldoze nature, no scrutiny, no accountability. It’s a carve-out for corporate interests at the expense of our national environment,” Senator Whitten said.
“If these proposals go ahead, Australia will be in breach of multiple international treaties. It’s a legal and moral disgrace. And to make matters worse, many of these projects are controlled by foreign-owned companies with no long-term interest in the health of Australia’s environment or communities.”
Outrage is growing across the country, with environmentalists and farmers uniting in opposition to what they see as the industrialisation of Australia’s last remaining wild and productive landscapes.
“This is a sell-out of everything Australians value, our land, our water, our wildlife, and our sovereignty. One Nation will fight this madness every step of the way. We will not allow our environment to be sacrificed on the altar of corporate greenwashing.”
One Nation stands for real environmental protection, not loopholes for profiteers.
