Environmental law reform has been sitting in the too-hard basket for years — under successive governments, the system stayed broken.

Now, just days before the end of the parliamentary year, Labor has passed the first major changes in a generation.

The government chose to work with the Greens, agreeing to scrap logging exemptions, close coal and gas loopholes, and hand real enforcement powers to a new EPA.

Meanwhile, the Coalition fractured over the details — dealing themselves out of negotiations and out of relevance.

Today, press gallery veteran Paul Bongiorno, on how Labor landed a landmark deal, and what it means for the future of environmental policy.

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Guest: Press gallery journalist, Paul Bongiorno

Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch