Companies could have profits from breaking environment laws stripped under Australian reforms

Murray Watt is optimistic new environment laws will pass before Christmas and is willing to make a deal with the Coalition or Greens – or both. Photograph: Jamila Filippone/The Guardian

The Albanese government wants the power to strip companies of any financial gains made from breaking environment laws, as part of a package of landmark reforms to be put before parliament in the next two weeks.

In an interview with Guardian Australia, the environment minister, Murray Watt, also revealed he wants a definition of “unacceptable impact” to be part of the nation’s new environment laws.