An overhaul of Australia’s environment laws will be sped up and broadened in its ambitions, despite repeated failures to reform the ageing laws over previous terms.<\/p>\n
Environment Minister Murray Watt says the reworked laws will be introduced by the end of this year, six months sooner than planned, after a “clear” message from last week’s productivity roundtable.<\/p>\n
He said the government’s reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act would also be broader than what it introduced last term \u2014 despite those reforms failing to find support to pass.<\/p>\n
“It was clear from last week’s round table that there is very strong support \u2014 across business, environment and community representatives \u2014 for serious and urgent reform to deliver stronger environmental protections, faster and simpler project approvals and greater transparency in environmental regulation,” Senator Watt said.<\/p>\n
“We are answering that call by significantly accelerating these reforms.”<\/p>\n
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The government’s productivity round table heard there was an urgent need to rewrite Australia’s environment laws. (ABC News: Simon Beardsell)<\/p>\n
The reforms will include a focus on removing duplication between state and federal approvals processes for developments, and “strong” new national environmental standards that will set minimum expectations for a project \u2014 giving businesses a clearer picture up front of whether or not their proposals are likely to be approved.<\/p>\n
While environment and business groups are divided on the shape of the laws governing approvals for mining, energy, housing and other projects that potentially impact Australian nature, there is a unanimous view that the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act is not working for the economy or the environment.<\/p>\n
There is a backlog of more than 30,000 housing, renewables and resources projects under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act, which the government will also establish a strike team to sort through in the hopes of accelerating projects that can be quickly approved.<\/p>\n
Third try at reform in three terms<\/p>\n
The EPBC Act has been largely unchanged since it was created more than 20 years ago, despite attempts by several previous governments to reform it, including by then-environment minister Sussan Ley under the Morrison government, and by Tanya Plibersek last term.<\/p>\n
However Senator Watt has been quietly engaging with stakeholders since taking up the portfolio, including multiple visits to Western Australia to speak with Premier Roger Cook \u2014 whose opposition to the reforms contributed to them being put on ice ahead of the 2025 WA and federal elections.<\/p>\n
And the government was able to make headway at last week’s economic summit, finally winning the endorsement from some business groups for a national environment watchdog, with the condition that the minister has final say on decisions.<\/p>\n
The minister said in a statement the government would continue consulting on its reforms as it approaches the introduction of legislation, including the final shape of a federal Environment Protection Agency.<\/p>\n
Shadow Environment Minister Angie Bell told the ABC last week that it was “welcome news” that the government was accelerating its overhaul of the EPBC Act “after more than three years of inaction”.<\/p>\n
“The door is open, and we welcome the opportunity to work with the government in a bipartisan way on this legislation,” Ms Bell said.<\/p>\n
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Angie Bell said reforms to the EPBC Act could not wait any longer. (AAP: Mick Tsikas)<\/p>\n
“We will engage in robust discussion because we understand the importance of getting the balance right. We simply cannot afford to wait another three years for these outdated and broken laws to be addressed.”<\/p>\n
Both the Coalition and Greens refused to support the government’s proposed reforms last term, criticising its attempt to establish a watchdog before substantive changes were made.<\/p>\n
Senator Watt said he had held more than 40 meetings on the EPBC and forums with environment, resources, energy, property and other groups since becoming environment minister three months ago, and it was clear that reforms should be accelerated.<\/p>\n