A high-level meeting of key stakeholders in Canberra today has supported fast action to reform Australia's environmental laws.
The Albanese Government is committed to delivering stronger protections for the environment while streamlining project approvals processes to improve productivity.
Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt, hosted a high-level roundtable in Canberra this morning, bringing together leaders from across the environmental, resources, energy, climate, housing and agricultural sectors, as well as First Nations representatives.
The assembled group supported the reforms to Australia's environmental laws being based on three pillars:
- Stronger environmental protection and restoration
- More efficient and robust project assessments
- Greater accountability and transparency in decision making
The meeting also demonstrated strong support for key components of the reforms, such as:
- National Environmental Standards
- Streamlined approval processes
- Regional planning
- More robust offsets regimes
- Better data on environmental impacts
Minister Watt said there was a lot of goodwill from those who attended and that while there is much work left to do, there is also much the stakeholders agree on.
"Everyone agrees that our current laws are broken," Minister Watt said.
"They are not working for the environment, and they are not working for business.
"Many groups shared that they were prepared to give and take, knowing there will need to be some compromise to achieve the broader outcomes.
"It's vital these groups continue working together, as well as with the Government to deliver these much-needed reforms.
"Reforming our environmental laws is not just a job for government and there is an opportunity for all involved to be part of the solution."
Minister Watt said it was in the national interest that these laws pass parliament in the first half of this term.
"Obviously these laws are vital for protecting our precious environment, which is a major cultural and economic contributor to our country."
"But it is also incredibly important that we get these laws working to achieve other national priorities, like improving productivity and delivering the homes, jobs, clean energy and economic prosperity our country needs in the future.
"This process offers a massive opportunity to drive long-lasting change that benefits our natural environment and all Australians.
"That's why it is my intention to deliver these reforms within the next 18 months."
Further announcements about future consultation will be made in due course.
