The rollout of Australia's landmark national environmental law reforms continues at pace, with the opening of the second round of consultation on a new set of National Environmental Standards.
The revised National Environmental Standard for Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) responds to feedback from 433 submissions made during the first round of public consultation, from 5 November 2025 to 30 January 2026.
Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said the National Environmental Standards are a critical part of the national environmental laws envisioned in the Samuel Review.
"In his groundbreaking review, Professor Graeme Samuel described setting new National Environmental Standards as the centrepiece of reformed laws," Minister Watt said.
"The National Environmental Standard for Matters of National Environmental Significance will set clear and enforceable expectations around impacts to our most precious species, habitats and heritage places.
"The Standards will support the National Environmental Protection Agency and proponents to work to a consistent set of rules, speeding up approvals, while also delivering better outcomes for the environment.
"That's why it's so important that we hear from a range of Australians with different experiences and points of view before I finalise this Standard."
The revised Standard is open for feedback until 11:59pm on Friday, 29 May 2026.
Feedback can be provided via the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water's online consultation hub.
"We are working to finalise the first set of National Environmental Standards mid-this year and will be releasing additional Standards for consultation over coming weeks," Minister Watt said.
