An independent review of Australia’s national environment laws is calling for significant reform of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC).
In his report, Independent Review of the EPBC Act – Final Report, Independent reviewer Graeme Samuel said Australia’s natural environment and iconic places were in an overall state of decline and were under increasing threat.
“They are not sufficiently resilient to withstand current, emerging or future threats, including climate change,” Professor Samuel said.
“The EPBC Act is out-dated and requires fundamental reform,” he said.
“The Act, and the way it is implemented, results in piecemeal decisions, which rarely work in concert with the environmental management responsibilities of the States and Territories.”
Professor Samuel said a sensible and staged pathway of change was needed to achieve the necessary fundamental reform.
“Changes should be made immediately to deliver the best possible outcomes from dated law,” he said.
Professor Samuel said the operation of the EPBC Act had failed to harness the extraordinary value of Indigenous knowledge systems that had supported healthy Country for over 60,000.
“A significant shift in attitude is required, so that we stop, listen and learn from Indigenous Australians and enable them to effectively participate in decision-making.”
The Independent reviewer recommended setting clear outcomes through new, legally enforceable National Environmental Standards; actively restoring the environment; taking an adaptive approach through better planning, measuring the effectiveness of implementation; and harnessing the knowledge of Indigenous Australians.
Professor Samuel’s 252-page Independent Review of the EPBC Act – Final Report can be downloaded at this PS News link.
