The Australian government is set to introduce plans for a new national environmental protection body, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), which aims to independently enforce decisions made under environmental laws. The proposed EPA will have the authority to issue stop-work notices, impose fines, and conduct audits to ensure businesses comply with development approvals, along with overseeing enforcement of various environmental laws, such as monitoring animal trafficking, recycling practices, and sea dumping activities.
In addition to the establishment of the EPA, there are intentions to create a new entity called Environment Information Australia, responsible for compiling environmental data to inform both government decisions and business operations. Despite these initiatives, the government's commitment to significantly reform the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act faces uncertainty, as the planned comprehensive changes recommended by a review in 2020 have not materialized within the expected timeline set by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek.
The delay in implementing the recommended reforms has drawn criticism from various quarters, with concerns raised by environmental groups over the government's approach toward enhancing environmental protection measures. The reception to the government's promises of better data collection and transparency has been mixed, with calls for more stringent actions to prevent irreversible environmental damage. Business groups, while acknowledging the need for faster environmental approvals, have reservations about the potential impact of future reforms on decision-making processes and project development. The political landscape surrounding environmental protection legislation remains contentious, with opposing parties expressing skepticism and divergent views on the proposed bills and their implications for industries like mining and energy.