In a bold statement, Watt emphasized the importance of a newly independent National Environmental Protection Authority (NEPA), asserting that it would provide robust compliance and enforcement oversight. This move aims to better safeguard our cherished environment and ensure that those who attempt to harm it face severe consequences.

NEPA’s creation is part of a comprehensive suite of proposed reforms to environmental legislation. These reforms include the introduction of new national environmental standards, revisions to environmental offset policies, and significantly increased penalties for businesses that violate environmental laws.

However, not everyone is on board with these changes. Sussan Ley has criticized Labor’s proposed reforms, labeling them an “environmental approvals disaster” due to the additional bureaucracy they would impose.

Over the years, there have been numerous efforts to revamp the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. The latest round of reforms is anticipated to be presented to parliament as soon as this week, marking a significant step in Australia’s environmental policy landscape.

These proposed changes are informed by the Samuel Review, which was delivered to the Coalition government in 2020. Led by the former chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the review concluded that Australia’s national environmental laws were outdated and insufficiently effective.

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”.

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