Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt has reassured WA industry that the Federal Government’s revised environmental laws would aim to “work for both businesses and the environment”.
Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt
Speaking at a press conference after CCIWA’s Boardroom Breakfast – held in partnership with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and attended by key WA business stakeholders – the Minister said the Government intended to introduce the legislation into Parliament by the end of this year.
“Both our business communities and environment desperately need change. There has to be some urgency in getting these laws changed,” he said.
Minister Watt said one of the key outcomes from consultations would be the removal of duplication in project approvals, helping to speed up the process.
The legislation will reform the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999, including the establishment of a national Environmental Protection Authority. It will replace the “Nature Positive” Bills, which were stalled in Parliament earlier this year.
Business wants more detail
CCIWA Chief Economist Aaron Morey said the WA business community was anxiously awaiting more detail on the reforms.
“This is one of the most crucial pieces of reform on the Government’s agenda at the moment, and it will have significant impacts on Western Australia because of the make-up of our economy,” he said.
Morey said it was vital the most concerning elements of the previous proposal were abandoned completely and that the laws “must be developed in a way that achieves the Government’s stated aims of better for the environment and better for business”.
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State-Federal bilateral agreement welcomed
Yesterday, Minister Watt and WA Premier Roger Cook committed to work towards a bilateral agreement to remove duplication in the approvals system.
“That kind of duplication, where people have got to go through two different systems with two different governments adds months, and in some cases, years, to the time it takes to approve and consider projects,” Minister Watt said.
Morey has welcomed the commitment, saying: “It’s absolutely vital that State and Federal processes work together and share information.
“One of the biggest barriers to investment in Australia is the unnecessary duplication and long timelines involved project approvals.
“We look forward to more details being released in the coming weeks and months.”
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