New " tough cop" to enforce new Australian environmental laws

On a landmark change to Australia’s environmental laws, the federal government has announced a plan to create an independent watchdog to oversee compliance and enforcement as well as a national standard to protect endangered plant and animal species.

In a press conference, Environmental Minister Tanya Plibersek unveiled the government’s formal response to the scathing 2021 review of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act by Professor Graeme Samuel.

“This is large complex consequential work. What we’re seeking is a win-win a win for the environment, a win for business” Plibersek said.

Ms Plibersek said the existing EPBC Act was “not working for anyone” as it had failed to adequately protect Australia’s wildlife and provided significant hurdles for businesses to jump over to receive project approval.

“One reason that we’re establishing it in this way is to make sure that it is transparent that it is answerable to our democracy that people can see the decisions that are being made and why they’re being made and how they’re being made and can have confidence that there is integrity in the systems a tough cop on the beat that is operating at arm’s length from government.,” She disclosed.

Meanwhile, Farmers for Climate Action Deputy Chair Anika Molesworth said the new EPBC Act amendment will for the first time note greenhouse gas emissions as part of the Federal Government’s environmental assessments.

“Farmers also note the clarity the new National Environmental Standards set around the environmental value of different landscapes. We hope the new environmental protection authority will use its powers to limit emissions from Australian projects. We need urgent cuts to emissions globally to protect our farms.” Molesworth added.

On the other hand, Vets for Climate Action said they really happy the new EPBC guidelines have been released and that the new federal environmental protection agency can consider local greenhouse gas emissions in project assessments.

But are disappointed that there has been no climate trigger included in the EPBC Act amendment.

“We are hopeful that through the new EPA’s powers, the agency can make decisions that protect our unique animals from ongoing habitat destruction and the damaging impacts of our changing climate. Vets for Climate Action look forward to working with the new environmental protection agency and we are waiting to see how the EPA will be funded.” The group said.

The Greens welcome this long-awaited response to the biggest review of Australia's environment laws in a decade. The Albanese Government is moving in the right direction.

However, the government lacks any sense of urgency to halt and reverse the unsustainable environmental trajectory Professor Samuel described in his report.

Australian Greens Spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said: “ We need immediate action, action must include climate action and stopping the destruction of native forests and habitat. Sadly, this package does not deliver on these points, but the Greens are willing to work with the government to fix it”.

"The Greens will not be rubber stamping this legislative reform and will be pushing the Albanese Government to go harder and faster to protect our environment”, she said.

Hanson-Young said there is nothing in this package to save an iconic koala or to protect the native forests and there is very little to address the impact of the climate crisis on the environment at all.

"The Greens consider the package of reforms announced by the Environment Minister to be a floor when it comes to strengthening environmental laws, not a ceiling. We will continue to push for an urgent moratorium on the clearing of critical habitat, an end to native forest logging and a climate trigger. We will also work to improve the proposed EPA so that it is a true cop-on-the-beat, not just an excuse for the government when it makes unpopular decisions." She added.

The Australian Conservation Foundation has welcomed Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s intention to overhaul the country’s broken environmental laws by introducing national environmental standards and an Environmental Protection Agency with enforcement powers.

CEO Kelly O’Shanassy said Strong national nature protection laws that halt the destruction of wildlife habitat and ecosystems are critical if Australia is to meet its worthy goal of no new extinctions.

“We are encouraged that Minister Plibersek intends for the new national EPA to have decision-making powers to stop political influence affecting nature protection,” she said.

However, She deeply disappointing the Minister has made no reference to adding a climate trigger to the law, allowing the climate impacts of coal and gas projects to continue to be ignored.