The Australian Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane has pledged to cut environmental regulation, slashing both “red and green tape”.

Speaking at a national conference of the Energy Users Association of Australia this week, Mr Macfarlane said: “Australia’s energy security is being compromised through slow approval processes and excessive green tape.”

He said the Government would work with states and territories to create a “one-stop shop” for approval of new energy projects so they aren’t held up by environmental regulation.

The minister pledged to bring stability to government policy as well: “The Coalition Government will work with the industry to restore policy certainty to the energy sector, after six years of constantly shifting goalposts and wasted opportunities for energy market reform to reduce pressure on energy prices.”

He also repeated the promise of Prime Minister Tony Abbott to get rid of Australia’s carbon tax.