A federal environmental watchdog could finally be legislated before Christmas, as the Albanese government prepares to introduce revamped laws to Parliament on Thursday.

Environment Minister Murray Watt, who wants his package of bills to be passed by the end of the year, is keeping the door open to a deal with either the Greens or the Coalition as he pushes to finally overhaul laws found by multiple inquiries to be inefficient and ineffective.

The new Environmental Protection Authority's chief executive would exercise a delegated ministerial power to approve projects, with the minister of the day to have the final say - but it's understood that this process will be made more transparent.

The bill to set up the new EPA includes a requirement for the instrument of delegation to be publishe

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