It's not often I give credit to politicians, but I think today is one of those rare occasions when I do.

In the 199 days since his appointment to the role of environment minister, Murray Watt has been able to achieve what his two immediate predecessors – Sussan Ley and Tanya Plibersek couldn't – and has overseen the reformation of the nation's outdated and not fit for purpose environmental laws.

Late on Thursday evening politicians passed the bill through the Senate and then this morning the House of Representatives – in which Labor holds a majority – passed the bill 89 votes to 34, a move that was met with applause from members voting in favour and notable silence from the Coalition.

And in doing so, we can all rest easily in our beds, safe in the knowledge that the environment will henceforth be well protected and projects will speed through approvals processes without unnecessary delays.

Well, not quite…

In all deals – whether that's in business or politics or the more mundane, everyday life - there will always be trade-offs and – as the old adage goes – you can't please all of the people all of the time.

But when Roger Cook, the premier of Western Australia - the engine room of the country - and the man who (if reports are to be believed) was responsible for the failure of Tanya Plibersek to do what Watt has today done, is broadly OK with the reforms then maybe it's been worth it.

Cook is an out and out supporter of industry and that's perhaps understandable seeing as the wealth of his state and indeed the country is dependent on that continuing development. And yesterday when asked what he thought of the reforms he said: "It could've been better from an industry point of view, but it could have been a lot worse."

From him, I'll take that to be honest as it means that whatever the alphabet-soup of the likes of AMEC, the CMEWA, the AEP and the BCA have to say, they too know it could have been better and it could have been worse.

And then on the flip side, you have the assessment from Larissa Waters, the leader of the Australian Greens, that her party's pressure "made this bill better."

So, we have a business advocate and an environmentalist both speaking if not exactly in glowing terms about the reforms, but at least with a degree of positivity.

So, that's why today I think Watt deserves just a bit of credit. He was brought in by Albanese as a fixer and he's met his objective of getting the reforms through parliament before the end of the year.

Of course it's not a perfect deal, but anything which improves the regulatory process for industry and improves the protections afforded to the environment, is a step in the right direction.

On ya, Muzza.

Yours,

Russell Yeo