Multiple mining giants are urging the Labor government to overhaul a range of environmental laws, with the calls led by BHP.
BHP's call echoes a push by rival global mining giant Rio Tinto, which in October backed the Albanese government in "prioritising and progressing" reform of the 25-year-old Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
While the mining giants are both supportive of the need for a better regulatory system, it is understood they do not agree with Labor's plans to establish an independent environmental protection agency (EPA) watchdog.
BHP's Australian boss, Geraldine Slattery, has issued a warning that failing to streamline mining approvals, would impact Australia's appeal to global clean energy investors which she described as “one of the greatest industrial shifts in history”.
“Inefficient regulation leads to project delays. Governments are figuring this out," Slattery said at a function hosted by the Melbourne Mining Club, noting that streamlining approval had already begun to take off in rival mining countries including Canada, Chile and the United States.
This comes after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shut down Senate negotiations on the topic last week, facing possible political backlash from West Australian resources players.
The reform of federal environmental approvals has faced resistance by key parts of the resource sector and the West Australian premier Roger Cook, who has personally lobbied Mr Albanese to scrap the currently proposed changes.
