APPEA has joined several of Australia’s leading resources sector bodies in a call supporting vital reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
APPEA, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME), the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), NSW Minerals Council, South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy (SACOME), and Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) released a joint statement today urging Parliament to pass “pragmatic, targeted and reasonable” amendments to the EPBC Act that would streamline regulation, protect the environment, and support resources jobs and regional communities.
The Australian Government has introduced two bills for reforms to the EPBC Act – supported by all governments at National Cabinet – intended to reduce duplication and delays in the approvals process and improve environmental outcomes.
Reforms to the Act are being brought forward for debate by the government this week. An independent 10-year statutory review of the Act found that it was outdated and required urgent reform, with approvals for some resources projects taking more than 1,000 days at a cost of up to $1 million per day.
“After a decade of inaction following the previous review, action is needed to fix inefficient and ineffective laws which are delaying major resource projects and failing to protect the environment,” the statement read.
To read the full statement, click .
