Environmental advocate and Shepherd’s Hut owner Laura Wishart keen to see support for Nature Positive Bills

The third-generation owner of a family-run Porongurup winery has said stronger nature laws would “remove red tape” for businesses as the Federal Parliament prepares to debate environmental law reforms. Owner of Shepherd’s Hut Wines Laura Wishart was one of seven West Australians to meet Federal ministers in Canberra on August 21 to discuss the three Nature Positive Bills proposed to reform Australia’s 25-year-old legislation. As a wine grower, landowner and lifelong Porongurup resident, Ms Wishart said reform was necessary in the face of a declining climate. “The change would be really impactful as the current laws are effectively obsolete,” she said. “We can see that on virtually every measure, environmental health is in decline and there is no cohesion across the sectors in the current laws to stop it. “The impact of them being so ineffective is being felt broadly in our drying climate, especially in agriculture. “Things like increased salinity, vegetation die-off and topsoil loss, and because farm boundaries are a bit arbitrary, changes that are made over the road by the neighbours can affect someone 5km to 10km away. “If we don’t get on the same page, then things can feel a bit disjointed, and we want to make sure the good things are actually being felt.” The three Bills would create an environmental protection agency and environmental data body, and reform national nature laws, including the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. Ms Wishart, who took over the running of her family vineyard four years ago, said the laws would make it easier for businesses by creating “clear and transparent frameworks for operating”. “Strong nature laws have historically been portrayed as anti-business,” she said. “But we aren’t separate from the environment, even without the agricultural side of things. “These improved nature laws are proposing a more streamlined system that would actually remove red tape. “If done well, they can make things quicker and easier for businesses as well. “A healthy business requires a healthy environment.” The Places You Love alliance — a national collective of not-for-profits — invited Ms Wishart to represent her area and sector in Canberra after she signed its open letter from landholders supporting strong national nature laws. Erin Farley — who is a strategy adviser for bird conservation at Birdlife Australia, a member of the PYL alliance — said it was important for people like Ms Wishart to speak out “because they can be the faces of what will be cost without stronger protection”. “This is a critical time for Australia’s natural environment and it can’t wait,” she said. The Senate Committee report was released on Monday and is scheduled for debate in Parliament on Thursday.