The Albanese Government will accelerate the timeline on its national environmental law reforms, with plans to now introduce the legislation to Parliament before the end of this year.
The legislation was originally intended to be introduced in the middle of next year but, supported by the strong consensus in favour of reform at last week's economic reform roundtable, the timeline will be brought forward.
Having modern, fit-for-purpose environmental laws in place will protect Australia's incredible natural environment, while also supporting speeding up assessments and approvals for national priorities like more homes, jobs, renewable energy, critical minerals and the economic prosperity Australia needs in the future.
The bill to be introduced to the Parliament will also include a broader suite of reforms than what was introduced in the last term of parliament and will be focused on implementing the three core principles of the Samuel Review delivered to then-Environment Minister Sussan Ley in 2021: stronger environmental protection and restoration, more efficient and robust project assessments and greater accountability and transparency in decision-making.
This will include a strong focus on removing duplication within the environmental approvals and assessments system, while introducing strong new national environmental standards.
The legislation will also deliver on the Government's election commitment to establish a Federal Environmental Protection Agency, with consultation ongoing regarding its exact model.
Minster for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said the Albanese Government was committed to fixing the laws.
"Four years ago, the Samuel Review told then-Environment Minister Sussan Ley that Federal environmental laws weren't working for our environment or for business," Minister Watt said.
"It was clear from last week's roundtable that there is very strong support - across business, environment and community representatives - for serious and urgent reform to deliver stronger environmental protections, faster and simpler project approvals and greater transparency in environmental regulation.
"I have been consulting extensively over the past three months on these reforms, holding more than 40 meetings, roundtables and forums with environment, resources, energy, property and other business groups.
"In those meetings, I have consistently heard that we need to move quickly to reform these laws, as delays mean holding up investment and more environmental destruction.
"We are answering that call by significantly accelerating these reforms.
"We will continue consulting in the months ahead as we develop the reforms and get closer to passing this vital legislation."
Today's announcement builds on other measures already announced out of the roundtable including:
- Establishing a new strike team within the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water to fast-track assessment of the more than 26,000 homes currently with the department.
- Ensuring better access to the existing rapid EPBC assessment pathway for new applications with new Ministerial guidelines to prioritise robust development applications that provide required information upfront.
- Piloting AI to simplify and speed-up assessments and approvals.
