Murray Watt: Gold Coast-based Senator named Environment Minsiter in new-look Albanese Cabinet

Gold Coast developers and civic leaders have welcomed Murray Watt’s appointment as Environment Minister and what it will mean for their projects. FIND OUT MORE

Gold Coast developers and civic leaders have welcomed Murray Watt’s appointment as Environment Minister.

The Gold Coast-based Senator was sworn in to the high-profile portfolio on Tuesday and has been tasked by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with sorting out some of the major issues associated with it.

With his portfolio also having a say over key Gold Coast projects, key figures including Mayor Tom Tate and developer Bob Ell say they look forward to working with the Senator.

The LEDA Group boss says he is particularly keen to meet with Mr Watt to discuss his controversial Coomera housing development, which, if realised, would create 5000 homes.

The project has been held up by federal government environmental approvals.

“I welcome the appointment of a Gold Coast man (to the job) and I just hope he is the same breed as we are here and that he will help us get 5000 blocks of land sorted out at Coomera as soon as possible,” he said.

Mr Ell wrote to Mr Albanese and Mr Watt’s predecessor, Tanya Plibersek, in December last year asking for them to remove what he calls federal “green tape” holding back the project, which has already been green-lit by both the Gold Coast council and the state government.

The federal government said at the time it was still looking at the development.

The Leda Group boss wants to build the homes on a 161ha site fronting George Alexander Way and Cunningham Dr.

Mr Ell bought the site in May 2023 in one of the biggest sales of its kind in the city’s history.

The site, known as Coomera Quarter, sits between Coomera Rivers State School and the heavy rail line, south of Pimpama State Secondary College.

Once completed, it could house up to 10,000 people.

It comes amid a significant housing shortage in the city as it falls further and further behind state-set targets for new dwellings.

Mayor Tom Tate echoed Mr Ell’s sentiments and said he was keen to speak with Mr Watt.

“I’m looking forward to working with Senator Murray Watt,” he said.

“It is very handy that he is Gold Coast based, as we continue to grow our green credentials.”

Among the projects Mr Watt will likely have a say in is a cableway in the Hinterland.

While Mr Tate has indicated the tourism project would not need federal approval, the claim has been questioned by fellow councillor Glenn Tozer who said it was “ridiculous” to think it wouldn’t.

Mr Watt said following his swearing in on Tuesday that he was looking forward to “getting stuck in”.

“Australia’s natural environment and waterways are the envy of the world and I look forward to playing my role in their protection, along with enabling ecologically sustainable economic development,” he said.

“Only Labor Governments do that, and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”

‘Can’t wait to get stuck in’: Watt to hold power over key GC projects

Gold Coast-based Senator Murray Watt has been tapped by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to become the nation’s new Environment Minister.

Mr Watt, a close ally of Mr Albanese, replaces Tanya Plibersek in the senior post, which will put him in line to have a say over some of the city’s biggest projects.

Among them is a controversial 5000-home housing development at Coomera put forward by Bob Ell’s LEDA Group, as well as a proposed cableway in the Gold Coast hinterland.

Mr Watt, who will be sworn in alongside his Cabinet colleagues at Government House on Tuesday, said he was looking forward to working in the high-profile portfolio.

Murray Watt is the new Environment Minister. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

“I’m thrilled to be appointed as Minister for the Environment and Water by Prime Minister (Albanese),” he said.

“Our natural environment and water supply is the foundation of life on earth and only a Labor Government can advance its long-term conservation.

“There’s always more we can do, to protect Australia’s spectacular natural environment, be a good international partner and facilitate sustainable economic development.

“I can’t wait to get stuck in.“

Mr Ell’s Coomera project is still awaiting federal government environmental approvals after already gaining a green light from the council and state. While Mayor Tom Tate has indicated the tourism project would not need federal approval, the claim has been questioned by fellow councillor Glenn Tozer who said it was “ridiculous” to think it wouldn’t.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced his new frontbench on Monday. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Watt, who was not up for re-election this year, previously served as Employment Minister prior to the May 3 election.

Mr Albanese praised Mr Watt for his abilities serving in the Cabinet.

“Murray is an outstanding performer as a Minister and I regard the environment as a really central portfolio,” he said.

“It’s the only one I’ve ever asked for in (Parliament House) and I regard it as very much a senior role in a Labor government.

“Murry will do it very well.”

Incoming Forde MP Rowan Holzberger will sit on the backbench.

It comes ahead of the Liberal Party holding its leadership spill on Tuesday which will be contested by Angus Taylor and Sussan Ley.

Regardless of who wins, the dramatically shrunk party room following the party’s thrashing at the election means the Gold Coast’s LNP MPs are likely to hold shadow frontbench posts.

However, The Gold Coast’s LNP MPs are keeping mum on who they will back at Tuesday’s Liberal Party leadership showdown.

Mr Taylor and Ms Ley will face off at the meeting, held in Canberra, where the Opposition rump will determine the replacement for the vanquished Peter Dutton, who lost his seat at the election.

Fadden MP Cameron Caldwell declined to reveal his choice for the leadership.

“I will support whoever is elected leader in order to provide a strong opposition that will hold the government to account over the next three years,” the backbencher said.

Moncrieff MP Angie Bell, a moderate, also played her cards close to her chest.

“I look forward to working with our new leader, whoever that may be, and am committed to the work that needs to be done in reshaping our party,” she said.

“My goals will always be to deliver for and engage with the people of Moncrieff every step of the way.”

Incoming McPherson MP Leon Rebello, also understood to be a moderate, did not respond to the Bulletin’s requests for comment on Sunday.