Shadow environment minister Angie Bell has raised concerns that Labor’s proposed environmental penalties would be a “big cut to the bottom line” for businesses.

Ms Bell told Sky News Sunday Agenda the government’s proposed maximum fine of $825 million for environmental damage could create uncertainty for industry.

“The highest penalty is $825 million, which if you’re running industry and jobs and mining and resources, that’s quite a big cut to the bottom line,” she said.

“It (the legislation) doesn’t actually say whether it’s accidental (damage) or on purpose, that sort of thing. It’s open to obviously judgement as well as in the courts.

“So, there are some problems around that. We're working through that with industry and with stakeholders because, as I said, there's 1500 pages in it.

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