After a protracted five-year delay, Australia is poised to implement significant changes to its environmental regulation framework. This development comes as a result of a pivotal agreement between the government and the Greens, which will see new laws enacted to reform the country’s environmental oversight.

This morning, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed that an accord had been reached with the minor party, facilitating the passage of legislation designed to overhaul the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. The legislation is set to clear the Senate on this final day of the parliamentary year.

“Today marks a historic day for the environment in our nation,” declared Prime Minister Albanese. “It is also a positive day for businesses across Australia, as the reforms promise greater certainty, reduced delays, and improved outcomes that will boost productivity.”

The agreement arrives more than five years after a critical 2020 review led by Professor Graeme Samuel, which concluded that the EPBC Act was in dire need of “fundamental reform.” The review highlighted the Act as a hindrance to comprehensive environmental management and noted a lack of public trust in its current form.

The deal comes more than five years after a 2020 review by Professor Graeme Samuel found the EPBC Act required “fundamental reform”, because it was a “barrier to holistic environmental management which… is essential for success” and wasn’t trusted by the public.