{"id":507421,"date":"2026-02-27T11:24:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T11:24:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/507421\/"},"modified":"2026-02-27T11:24:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T11:24:08","slug":"im-it-bob-brown-puts-hand-up-to-lead-new-national-environmental-watchdog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/507421\/","title":{"rendered":"“I’m it!” Bob Brown puts hand up to lead new national environmental watchdog"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of Australia\u2019s fiercest defenders of nature and biodiversity, Bob Brown, has thrown his hat into the ring to become the first CEO of the National Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) \u2013 the \u201ctough cop on the beat\u201d that will be put to work in July as part federal Labor\u2019s amended EPBC Act. <\/p>\n

The Bob Brown Foundation said on Friday that its namesake \u2013 the founder and first leader of the Australian Greens and a Living National Treasure of environmental activism \u2013 is in the process of applying for the job as top \u201ctough cop\u201d at the new green body.<\/p>\n

The federal government on Monday opened applications for CEO of the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), which \u2013 according to a job ad published in the AFR on Friday \u2013 will be Australia\u2019s national environmental regulator.<\/p>\n

The ad says the CEO will lead the establishment and day-to-day operations of NEPA, an independent statutory body tasked with providing \u201caccountable, efficient, outcomes-focused and transparent environmental regulatory decision making.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe role requires a constructive, solution-oriented regulatory approach that enables regulatory certainty for proponents, while safeguarding Australia\u2019s nationally and internationally significant environmental assets,\u201d it says.<\/p>\n

The also job calls for knowledge of, or experience in, public sector administration, or governance and regulation, together with expertise in one or more of: conservation of biodiversity; ecologically sustainable development; heritage; indigenous affairs; law; law enforcement; natural resource management.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m it!\u201d said Brown on Friday. \u201cI do not wish to trumpet my genuine green credentials, but I tick all the boxes\u2026 I will provide excellent references from dinkum environmentalists, including lawyers, academics, members of parliament and business.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had an open line to Albo when we Greens were in the balance of power, so it\u2019ll be back to well-trodden territory. I commit to genuinely protecting Australia\u2019s environment and have excellent advice for the prime minister on how to achieve just that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brown says the requirement that the successful applicant for the role should be \u201ctruly independent\u201d will be critical to the success of NEPA as another layer of environmental protection.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe most important thing is to be independent of the politics of the day and genuine about protecting the environment and indigenous heritage \u2013 as the job parameters require,\u201d Brown told Renew Economy on Friday. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe other point is being transparent. \u2026True independence comes with true transparency \u2026 and authenticity, of course \u2013 authentic about the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n

On renewables, Brown says his message to the industry would be the same as it is to any other \u2013 stick to projects that do not invade natural ecosystems or wild environments. <\/p>\n

Another message would be to keep in mind whether there are \u201cprudent and feasible alternatives.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cPrudent and feasible alternatives to all energy modes is energy efficiency,\u201d he tells Renew Economy. \u201cIt is utilising the 15-20 per cent of current waste of electricity that can \u2026 provide for decades, for new industry and domestic purposes.<\/p>\n

So will DCCEEW take Bob Brown\u2019s application seriously? Minister Watt\u2019s office said in an email on Friday that \u201cif Mr Brown wants to apply he\u2019s most welcome, and can do so like every other candidate.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you would like to join more than 28,000 others and get the latest clean energy news delivered straight to your inbox, for free, please\u00a0click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter.<\/a><\/p>\n

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