Streamlining Environmental Approvals Bill passes House of Representatives

The Hon Sussan Ley MP
Minister for the Environment

The Streamlining Environmental Approvals Bill, which passed the House of Representatives today, is the Morrison Government’s first step towards implementing the National Cabinet decision, agreed by all states and territories, to move to a single touch model for environmental approvals.

Single touch approvals will reduce regulatory burden, promote economic activity and create certainty around environmental protections.

The Labor Party, which turned its back on environmental reform after its own review of the EPBC Act a decade ago, today attempted a day of cynical misrepresentation in the House.

The Bill includes minor technical amendments to the EPBC Act. They are the start of a process that is entirely consistent with Professor Graeme Samuel’s interim report and his findings in relation to an Act that is long overdue for reform.

The Government will continue to work with both Labor and Liberal States and territories to deliver environmental reform that everyone agrees is necessary.

There will be more reforms to follow. We will develop strong Commonwealth-led national environmental standards which will underpin new bilateral agreements with State Governments.

We will be convening the first ever meeting of all state and territory indigenous and environment ministers to modernise indigenous cultural heritage laws.

We will continue to roll out our $200 million commitment to support wildlife and habitat recovery and deliver our unprecedented transformation of Australia’s waste and recycling industry.

We are protecting the environment, protecting jobs, and protecting Australia’s economic future.

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