Matt Kean, a prominent Liberal figure and current chair of the Climate Change Authority, has delivered a sharp rebuke to his own party for prioritizing political games over crucial environmental legislation. The former New South Wales treasurer accused the federal Coalition of “playing politics rather than acting in the national interest” as debate intensifies around Australia’s nature protection laws.

Kean’s criticism comes at a pivotal moment, as the Labor government prepares to introduce a massive 1,400-page bill to completely overhaul the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. The proposed reforms represent one of the most significant changes to Australia’s environmental laws in decades, with potential far-reaching impacts on how the country balances development with conservation.

The Climate Change Authority chair argues that the environmental law reforms would provide much-needed certainty for businesses while serving the broader national interest. His public intervention adds considerable weight to growing pressure on Opposition Leader Sussan Ley to find common ground with Labor on the legislation, rather than engaging in partisan obstruction.

This rare public split within Liberal ranks highlights the mounting urgency around environmental policy reform. Industry groups and environmental advocates have long criticized Australia’s current environmental laws as outdated and inadequate for protecting biodiversity while enabling sustainable economic development. Kean’s call for his party colleagues to “find a way forward” suggests that some within the Coalition recognize the need for meaningful environmental law reform, despite political tensions between the major parties.