Australia's new independent National Environmental Protection Agency will launch into action on Wednesday, beginning a new era of protection for Australia's natural environment.
The National EPA, the first in Australia's history, underpins the Albanese Government's landmark environmental law reforms, which were passed in December last year.
It is a key plank in the reforms' promise to strengthen environmental protections and speed up the approval of critical housing, energy and minerals projects.
In just over six months, the National EPA has gone from a long-held ambition to a reality supported by more than $250 million in funding over the next two years.
From July 1, the National EPA will be a modern and effective regulator that helps people understand Australia's environmental laws and makes sure those laws are followed.
These include the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and laws regulating sea dumping, ozone protection and synthetic greenhouse gas management, hazardous waste, product emissions standards, recycling and waste reduction and underwater cultural heritage.
The role of the National EPA will include issuing permits and licences, environmental assessments and approvals, compliance and enforcement activities and the assurance, monitoring and auditing of the operation of accreditations, bilateral agreements and bioregional plans under the EPBC Act.
It will also improve the consistency, transparency, and integrity of environmental decision-making at the national level.
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt:
"It's great to see the National Environmental Protection Agency come to life, and I want to thank everyone who wrote letters, called their MPs, and advocated for its establishment over many years.
"This adds to Labor's strong environmental legacy, having saved the Franklin, Daintree and Kakadu, created huge marine parks, legislated net zero emissions and championed the international ban on mining in Antarctica.
"The National EPA will play a critical role as the independent umpire Australia's environment needs.
"It will be a strong regulator that enforces compliance with our laws, while delivering better outcomes for nature and the economy.
"The National EPA will help Australia protect what's precious while continuing to grow and develop our economic prosperity, and I wish the CEO and his team every success."
Quotes attributable to the incoming Chief Executive Officer of the National Environmental Protection Agency, John Bradley:
"As we launch the National EPA, we're building a trusted and modern regulator to deliver real improvements for the environment, the economy and community.
"We bring together a wide range of environmental regulatory functions with a strong focus on timely, evidence-based regulatory decisions.
"Recent reforms provide stronger regulatory tools and pathways to protect environmental outcomes and enable faster decisions.
We'll help businesses of all sizes to understand, and comply with, their obligations - while taking stronger enforcement action where significant and deliberate harm to the environment has been caused.
"I want to thank the many staff and stakeholders who've worked hard to get ready for the launch of the National EPA this week."
