Anthony Albanese denies ‘rift’ with Tanya Plibersek as Roger Cook praises PM’s ‘great leadership’ on EPA deal

Anthony Albanese denies there is rift between himself and Tanya Plibersek after he spiked her Federal EPA deal — a decision he claims was not about heading off a political backlash in WA.

But in a sign of just how central WA is to the saga, Premier Roger Cook praised Mr Albanese for showing “great leadership” in shelving the EPA after lobbying from himself and the State’s mining and business heavyweights.

Amid the fallout to Mr Albanese’s decision to scuttle an agreement Ms Plibersek reached with the Greens to deliver Labor’s EPA, the relationship between the long-time internal rivals has come under renewed scrutiny.

The decision has disappointed some Labor MPs, infuriated pro-environment Labor members and robbed Ms Plibersek of the chance to deliver Labor’s major election commitment in the portfolio.

Asked on Monday if he could “categorically deny” a rift with his high-profile environment minister, Mr Albanese told ABC radio: “Absolutely”.

He then criticised the media for focusing so heavily on one of Labor’s only bills that didn’t pass during a flurry of activity in Parliament’s final week, which saw 45 pieces of legislation rammed through.

Labor MPs who spoke to The West acknowledged there was tension between Mr Albanese and Ms Plibersek.

But they downplayed the severity of the split, with one noting “healthy tension” was common between any environment minister and ministers with economic responsibilities.

The Prime Minister on Sunday maintained he advised Ms Plibersek the agreement was off the deal before informing the Greens, rejecting suggestions he sunk the deal behind her back.

The Australian on Monday reported tensions between Mr Albanese and Ms Plibersek are set to flare again over the controversial issue of salmon farming in Tasmania – another Federal election battleground state.

Nationals frontbencher Bridget McKenzie seized on the rumoured rift, declaring that “if Tanya Plibersek can’t trust Anthony Albanese then why should Western Australia?”.

Mr Albanese stepped in to shut down the EPA deal amid lobbying from Mr Cook and mining and business groups, which feared the new nature watchdog would slow approvals for energy, housing and infrastructure projects.

WA handed Labor majority Government at the 2022 election and the State will be decisive at the next poll, due in May.

Mr Albanese rejected suggestion he intervened to appease Mr Cook or to prevent a political backlash in WA.

“Now, this isn’t about politics, it’s about getting it right,” he said.

“And we won’t support measures that don’t get it right.

“We want to support industry to be able to operate effectively, but also to operate in a sustainable way. And so that’s our focus. We didn’t have that agreement, so it was put aside.”

Mr Albanese on Sunday insisted he remained committed to the federal EPA - the second pillar of the Nature Positive Plan - but only if it can be passed on Labor’s terms.

At a press conference on Monday, Mr Cook sidestepped questions about the prosect the EPA laws would be revisited as soon as February.

Instead, he praised Mr Albanese for last week’s intervention.

“The Prime Minister made a call last week,” Mr Cook said.

“He made a call in the best interests of Western Australia, and the call in the best interests of the country.

“I think he showed great leadership in relation to that. And of course, we in Western Australia and my government agree with the call.”