- Major step forward – strongest progress on national nature laws in 25 years
- Important wins for critical habitat and the Great Barrier Reef – and closure of key loopholes
- Unfinished business – climate gaps, devolution risks and strong Standards still needed
The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) welcomes today's agreement between the Albanese Government and the Australian Greens to strengthen and pass the EPBC reform bills – marking the most significant step towards national environmental protection in more than two decades. But AMCS also makes clear that the amended laws don't go far enough in key areas.
AMCS Chief Executive, Paul Gamblin said: "This is a big day for the places and wildlife Australians love. The improvements secured today give Australia a better chance of protecting our ocean, coasts and wildlife from escalating threats. This is the most promising improvement in environmental protection we've seen in over 20 years but we must be clear-eyed about where gaps remain in our nature laws.
"Australians overwhelmingly want nature protected, and this agreement moves us closer to that goal. We commend the Albanese Government and the Australian Greens for forging the agreement."
AMCS applauds the inclusion of stronger safeguards for critical habitat, including the establishment of a National Environment Protection Agency-key reforms long called for by scientists and conservation organisations. The agreement also lays a firm foundation for effective National Environmental Standards, which are essential to delivering the transformational change needed to halt nature's decline and includes the first legislative definition of unacceptable impacts
Great Barrier Reef catchments
"We welcome amendments to the loopholes that have resulted in extensive tree clearing in the Great Barrier Reef catchment, damaging the reef's water quality and undermining efforts to protect this World Heritage icon. The assessment of all riparian clearing is a major step in protecting the Great Barrier Reef and stopping deforestation in reef catchments."
The AMCS report released in October reported that from 2018 to 2022, 70,000 ha of trees were cleared along rivers and creeks that run out to the Reef. Clearing these areas increases erosion and the amount of soil entering the waters of the Reef, which muddies the water and makes it hard for corals and seagrass to grow.
Political will now the real test
"It's one thing to have a better legal toolkit; it's another to use it. For far too long, the missing ingredient has been the sustained political will to apply laws properly and protect nature. The onus is now on the Government to show that these reforms will actually arrest the steep decline in Australia's natural heritage. The focus must now shift quickly from parliament to our coastlines, ocean and natural places – that's the ultimate test and where we must see change," Mr Gamblin said.
Unfinished business
Whilst this is a welcome step forward, AMCS remains concerned about the potential devolution to states and territories of federal decision-making for matters of national environmental significance, and the ongoing failure to address climate impacts within the reforms – despite clear advice from the conservation sector.
AMCS urges the Albanese Government to now finalise a robust initial suite of National Environmental Standards – including a measurable outcome for all Matters of National Environmental Significance, Standards for Community Engagement and Participation, and First Nations Engagement – and ensure the laws, including the new EPA, are properly resourced to fulfil its mandate.
