The Department of the Environment and Energy has commissioned an independent review of Australia’s environmental laws.
Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley said the review, the first in a decade, was aimed at tackling green tape and delivering greater certainty to business groups, farmers and environmental organisations.
She said Graeme Samuel (pictured) would conduct the review, leading an expert panel that included Bruce Martin, Wendy Craik, Erica Smyth and Andrew Macintosh.
“The statutory review will ensure that the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999) remains fit for purpose and fit for the future within the context of our changing environment,” Ms Ley said.
“This review is not about ideology. The one thing all sides of the environmental debate concede is that the complexities of the Act are leading to unnecessary delays in reaching decisions and to an increased focus on process rather than outcomes.”
She said delays in decisions were estimated to cost the economy around $300 million a year and frustrate both business and environmental groups.
“The Act has been a world benchmark in environmental protection but needs to be adapted to changes in the environment and economy,” Ms Ley said.
“I’ve asked Professor Samuel to look at how we can improve efficiency and make clear and simple decisions that deliver strong, clear and focused environmental protection.”
She said Professor Samuel would be releasing a discussion paper later this month and would begin initial stakeholder meetings shortly after.
