Opposition Leader Sussan Ley will challenge the government to split up its contentious environmental protection laws as she offers Coalition support for efforts to speed up the approval of rare earth mines and major infrastructure projects.

Ley’s attempt to turn the tables on the government after weeks of opposition infighting came as the government confirmed the environment minister would be able to overrule the new regulator, to be known as the National Environment Protection Agency, on major project approvals.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley called for the government to split its environmental reform package to gain Coalition support. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Flagging an intense period of negotiations during the remaining weeks of the parliamentary year, Environment Minister Murray

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