Albanese government plotted to maintain native forest logging in NSW if court battle was lost, documents show

Published on July 24, 2025
Albanese government plotted to maintain native forest logging in NSW if court battle was lost, documents show

Exclusive: Anthony Albanese sought ‘advice on strategy’ as federal and state governments prepared for ‘potential impacts of an adverse decision’

The Albanese government was so worried a court case could halt native forest logging in northern New South Wales that it drew up plans to essentially sidestep federal environment laws in the event of a loss, documents released under freedom of information laws reveal.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, played a key role as the commonwealth and NSW governments worked to ensure some logging could continue in the face of any “adverse decision” and to manage a potentially volatile situation between loggers and environmentalists.

Sign up to get climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s Clear Air column as a free newsletter

Continue reading...
New South WalesAnthony AlbaneseAustralian politicsLogging and land-clearingTrees and forestsEnvironmentAustralia newsConservation