India trade deal at risk on Adani delay

The federal government has warned a free trade deal with India could be jeopardised by delays to the Adani mine, as it pushes for controversial environmental laws changes.

Trade Minister Andrew Robb says the Indian government is keen to conclude an agreement but is closely watching their country's biggest investment project falter at the hands of green activists.

Mr Robb was speaking on legislation before parliament curbing the ability of green groups to challenge major projects in the courts.

The government introduced the changes after a conservation group took successful action against the Adani group's proposed Carmichael coal mine in Queensland's Galilee Basin.

Mr Robb warned endless delays to the project will affect India's appetite to finalise the trade agreement this year.

"This `lawfare' being engaged by a bunch of green activists is seriously undermining the prospect of concluding this agreement in a satisfactory manner," he told parliament on Wednesday.

The minister said Australia could not afford to rely solely on north Asian trade deals, with India on track to becoming the next China.

But Opposition frontbencher Anthony Albanese said the problem was not with the court nor the Mackay Conservation Group which initiated action exposing the government's failure to properly consider two endangered species.

The point of having more liberal rules over who could go to court was that endangered Tasmanian devils couldn't take action, someone had to do it for them, he said.

Greens MP Adam Bandt said the laws were intended to protect the environment, questioning if the government was proposing plants and animals should seek legal advice to protect themselves.

"Fishes and snakes aren't well-known for hiring lawyers," he told parliament.