Australia Set to Launch First National Environmental Oversight Body, NEPA

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A new federal environmental watchdog will be set up by the Labor government as part of its attempt to revamp Australia’s environmental laws.

Environment Minister Murray Watt announced on Sunday that the government would establish the nation’s first-ever National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA), a new independent body to strengthen oversight.

He said the proposed body would act as a “strong, independent regulator” responsible for ensuring compliance with new environmental laws, auditing state and territory processes for project approvals and educating industry and community on the country’s environmental legislation.

Watt has emphasized the significance of establishing an independent National Environmental Protection Authority (NEPA), stating it will bolster compliance and enforcement measures to safeguard the environment. He highlighted that those attempting to harm the environment unlawfully will face severe consequences, underscoring the agency’s role in environmental protection.

The creation of NEPA is a key component of a sweeping set of proposed reforms aimed at enhancing environmental legislation. These reforms also include the introduction of new national environmental standards, modifications to policies regarding environmental offsets, and significantly increased penalties for companies that violate environmental laws.

The new agency would exercise a range of powers independently of the environment minister, including compliance and auditing against new environmental laws, while allowing the minister to retain decision-making power for certain matters, including project approvals and accreditation of state and territory processes.

In contrast, Sussan Ley has criticized the reform proposals put forth by the Labor party, labeling them as an “environmental approvals disaster.” She argues that the changes would introduce excessive bureaucratic hurdles. Her remarks reflect a broader debate over how best to balance environmental protection with economic considerations.

Sussan Ley wearing a blue coat, standing in a room with other people sitting on green seats.

Efforts to revise the current Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act have been ongoing, with several initiatives put forward in recent years. The latest set of reforms is anticipated to be presented to parliament imminently, signaling a pivotal moment in the legislative process aimed at environmental preservation.

There have been multiple attempts in recent years to overhaul the existing Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, with the latest reforms expected to be introduced to parliament as early as this week.

Watt urged the Opposition and the Greens, which have been critical of the bill so far, to support the reforms when they come before parliament.

“The ball will soon be in the court of the Opposition and the Greens. Will they again team up to block these important reforms that will deliver better outcomes for our environment and for business?” he said.

Watt said Australia’s laws “remain broken” nearly five years since Graeme Samuel tabled his report to then-environment minister Sussan Ley.

The Samuel Review, handed to the Coalition government in 2020 and led by the former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chair, found Australia’s national environmental laws were outdated and ineffective.

On Friday, Samuel told the ABC he was “frustrated” and “frankly, a little angry” about the Greens and Opposition’s position on the proposed changes.

On Friday, Opposition leader Ley called the reforms an “environmental approvals disaster” that would add layers of bureaucracy.

Greens leader Larissa Waters has criticised the proposal for doing “little to protect nature”, and that the change “weakens an already weak piece of legislation”.