Labor backbenchers have warned Murray Watt against gutting the new environmental laws to get them through the Senate as the minister considers how to win over the Coalition or the Greens.

The caucus approved a package of seven bills to overhaul the 25-year-old Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act with unanimous applause when MPs met in Canberra on Tuesday morning.

But backbenchers had an unusually large number of questions for the Environment Minister too, including one who said they were wary of major changes being made during negotiations.

Senator Watt made it clear his preference was to pass something as close as possible to what he will introduce, which has tangible gains for both business and the environment.

The Coalition and Greens have both come out e

See Full Page