The Hon Sussan Ley MP, Minister for the Environment
The Hon Ben Morton MP, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Minister for the Public Service, Special Minister of State
The Morrison Government is investing more than $47 million to slash green tape for industry, protect the environment and improve transparency in project approvals.
Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley said the funding will expand a ground-breaking Digital Environmental Assessment Program (DEAP) being piloted in WA to reduce unnecessary duplication and delay.
"This is an investment in the future of environmental law reform, one that will help the economy and the environment," Minister Ley said.
"A national DEAP will ensure assessments are based on consistent data, that decisions can be made more quickly, with less cost for all concerned.
"Proponents would submit applications through an integrated 'portal' that meets Commonwealth, State and Territory requirements, and which is aligned with a national environmental biodiversity database.
"The current system of multiple development applications being made across multiple jurisdictions invites confusion, delay and unnecessary cost."
"Our $25 million investment in congestion busting has already seen the number of key decisions made 'on time' move from just 19% to 96% since 2019, and our DEAP pilot with Western Australia is showing the additional value of a simplified, single touch process."
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Ben Morton, said cutting the unnecessary green tape would be a game changer at a critical time for Australia's growing economy.
"It will help drive efficiencies and make it easier to do business," Minister Morton said.
"Once fully implemented, the investment will deliver up to $61 million each year in regulatory savings through streamlined digital user experiences and by reducing the time and effort required for industry to provide information for environmental assessments."
"We've listened to industry, and we're delivering a better system that will reduce duplication across Commonwealth and state and territory regulatory systems."
The Government is continuing to work closely with states and territories on a national roll-out to support 'single-touch' and other national environmental reforms.
