The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) is to develop new national standards for the protection of the Australian environment following the interim findings of a report into the nation’s environmental laws.
The report, by Graeme Samuel, found that the existing Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) had become cumbersome and did not serve the interests of the environment or business.
“The EPBC Act is ineffective,” Professor Samuel concluded.
“It does not enable the Commonwealth to protect and conserve environmental matters that are important for the nation (nor is it) fit to address current or future environmental challenges,” he said.
“New, legally enforceable national environmental standards should be the centrepiece of reform.”
Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley said it was not surprising the review found the 20-year-old legislation to be struggling to meet the changing needs of the environment, agriculture, community planners and business.
“This is our chance to ensure the right protection for our environment while also unlocking job-creating projects to strengthen our economy and improve the livelihoods of everyday Australians,” Ms Ley said.
“We can do both as part of the Australian Government’s COVID recovery plan.”
She said DAWE would develop Commonwealth-led national environmental standards which would underpin new bilateral agreements with State Governments.
“It will commence discussions with willing States to enter agreements for single touch approvals, removing duplication by accrediting States to carry out environmental assessments and approvals on the Commonwealth’s behalf,” Ms Ley said.
“It will commence a national engagement process for modernising the protection of Indigenous cultural heritage, commencing with a round table meeting of State Indigenous and Environment Ministers.”
She said DAWE would also explore market-based solutions for better habitat restoration that would significantly improve environmental outcomes while providing greater certainty for business.
Ms Ley said the report raised a range of other issues and reform directions.
“Further consultation will be undertaken regarding these,” she said.
The 117-page interim report can be accessed at this PS News link.
