2025-08-20
EPBC reform is a key agenda item at the Government’s Productivity Roundtable in Canberra today.
Greens spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has welcomed the opportunity to update the EPBC Act to be fit for purpose.
“Australia needs new environment laws that protect nature, consider climate and are efficient.
“Our Howard era environmental laws aren’t working for anyone, except the big fossil fuel companies that continue to block any changes.
“With updated and fit for purpose environment laws we could build houses, save koalas and protect our climate.
“The Greens have been ready and willing to work with the Albanese Government for the last three years, and that remains the case.
“The only thing standing in the way of creating laws that give clearer guidance and faster processing are the big fossil fuel companies who prefer the status quo and have repeatedly used their political muscle to prevent fixing the laws.
“Our door is always open to the Government to work together so that we can have laws that actually protect nature and make it easier for businesses to get responses to their applications in a timely fashion.
“Putting in place clear rules, including the protection of critical habitat and a climate trigger would allow for faster and more efficient assessments.”